In 1936, Mortimer Dent, a Cinema Owner and Operator, with others since 1919 decided on building new Super Cinemas,  to be known as Danilo, some say after Dan Leno, a variety artist of repute.

A new company was registered in October 1935, with capital of £6,500. The Danilo (Redditch) Ltd.

Mr Dent, commenced with in 1936 a cinema in Brierley Hill, Staffs, he next commenced the Redditch Cinema on Unicorn Hill:     The Danilo opened on Saturday 4th February 1937,  with a  'Grand Opening'  ceremony by Lady Throckmorton.  The Band of 8th Battn. Worcestershire Regiment. played at the opening,  the film for that night being “Children of Divorce” Starring Joan Marsh and Robert Fraser.  Redditch was proud to have a second Super Cinema like the DANILO.

Southam Morris Associated Cinemas, took over the Danilo circuit in October 1947, retaining the Danilo name under a clause in the contract of sale.  By now the Cinema being on a larger circuit, was showing later films in competition with the Gaumont, usually taking ABC releases. The Danilo from 21st February 1954, for 6 days, with a week.

In March 1954 the Essoldo purchased the Danilo marketing it with a sub Heading 'An Essoldo Theatre”.  The Danilo name did not come down until around 1961, and it was known as the Essoldo. A complete refurbishment took place in 1962.  In April 1972 the Essoldo chain was taken over by Classic, thus just to confuse, this became Redditch's second Cinema of that name.

In the 1970's Classic attempted to make better use of their buildings by twinning or tripling screening their cinemas, thus it was that, in April, May and June 1373, Classic Redditch Cinema, was Triple screened. The last film as a single auditorium was on Sunday 24th June 1973, was with Liza Minelli in "Cabaret".

The Classic re-opened on Thursday 5th July 1373, as a Three Screen Cinema,  with the films:  In Cinema 1. " 2001 A Space Oddessy" Gary Lockwood, in Cinema 2. "Lady Caroline Lamb"  with Sarah Miles and in Cinema 3. "Virgin Witch".  The Children's Club continued at 3.30 each Saturday.

In early 1383,  the Classic was given a £100,000 facelift. New high-backed Luxury seating was installed,  as was Dolby Stereo sound.    When the Cannon Cinema Circuit, under Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus,  bought the Classic Circuit in 1984 the Classic was the only cinema in the Town, but it finally closed in 1999.

The Danilo Cinema was on Unicorn Hill and was the one I used to go to on a Saturday morning. My mother used to give me sixpence in old money which is around two and a half new pence in today's money. The manager was a Mr Al Farrar who always stood at the entrance to welcome you in. He was a big red faced, white haired individual who always wore a smart Dinner Suit and bow tie.

Peter Harris

Although not as a cinema, this fine art deco building reopened in 2002 as the Chicago Rock Cafe, and on 28th May 2010, it re-opened as a pub in the popular JD Wetherspoon chain, known as ‘The Royal Enfield.

The Danilo