In its days as an entertainment centre for London, Harringay in North London also provided more locally directed entertainment in the shape of four cinemas. The earliest was opened in 1910 and was operating as a cinema until January 2003. Earliest film shows in Harringay From the very beginning of the 20th century, William Day, "pioneer of moving pictures", showed films in the Olympian Gardens pleasure grounds next to the Queen's Head pub. It is assumed that a marquee or large tent was used. Salisbury Electric Picture Hall The Electric Picture Hall was a short lived affair opened at Easter 1909, but not evidenced as being open by the following year. It operated on Green Lanes, probably on the corner of Seymour Road, at number 527. The Premier Electric The Premier Electric, designed by the architectural firm Emden & Egan, was opened on 16 April 1910. It was built for London Picture Theatre Ltd as one of a small chain of Premier Electrics. By the time it closed in January 2003 it was the UK’s oldest operating cinema. The building still stands today on Frobisher Road by Duckett's Common. The frontage and entrance area had been designed to echo colonial India. Palm trees were scattered around the foyer to foster the colonial feel. Reporting its opening the local newspaper, the Hornsey Journal, described it in glowing terms and drew attention to its"particularly handsome" entrance. The auditorium was designed in the style typical of the period with a curved and banded ceiling and proscenium arch. Seating was provided for 900 on a single floor. During the first part of its life the cinema had its own Premier Orchestra which played during all films. The entertainment bill during its early years was typical of its day. The programme for Thursday 30 June 1910 included the following: The Premier Electric saw its first changes in the early Thirties. It was bought by the River Park company and its name shortened to the Premier. In 1932 Turnpike Lane Tube Station opened nearby. Three years later as part of the development around the new station, competition arrived with the opening of the sleek new Ritz cinema. By 1938 the Premier was under another set of owners, Gaywood Cinemas. The company also owned the nearby Palais Deluxe in Station Road, Wood Green. In that year both cinemas were modernised. The Premier closed for seven weeks on