Opened in Maldon High Street in March 1936, the Embassy Cinema is still fondly remembered by many Maldonians to this day.

The Embassy was built in Art Deco style, on the site of a grand 16th century house called The Trees.

It could hold 1,250 people and had a café for patrons, along with a Wurlitzer organ, which featured an illuminated console.

Organist Vic Hammet pictured with the Wurlitzer. (Photo courtesy of Janet Mayes)

Before long, the Embassy proved too much for its competitor, the Hippodrome, which closed as a cinema in 1946.

The Hippodrome building was turned into a retail unit and previously housed Shoe Zone. Currently, it is home to Sark, a popular Turkish restaurant.

Following a takeover by the Star Cinemas chain, the Embassy was renamed Studio One in 1967.

To many growing up in Maldon in the 1950s and 60s, the Embassy was an exciting part of their youth.

On Saturday mornings, children and teens could enjoy a cartoon, a western or even a horror, for sixpence.

That's equivalent to around 2.5 pence in today's money.

Classics including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, Grease, and Saturday Night Fever were all shown at the Embassy.

The Embassy's iconic facade sticks in the mind of many residents, decades after it was demolished. (Photo courtesy of Janet Mayes)

As well as being a popular local cinema, the building was also a theatre.

When needed, the cinema screen could roll-up to reveal a stage behind, and there were dressing rooms backstage.

The Embassy Cinema - or Studio One, as it was then called – closed its doors for good in August 1982.

The famous Wurlitzer was taken to a residence in Capel St Mary, near Ipswich. Not much else is known about its whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Studio One became a bingo hall, known as STAR Bingo, for a period.

THEN VS NOW: Drag the white slider left & right to see how The Embassy site looked during demolition in 1985, compared to how it looks today. (Photos: Peter Chinnery and Google)

After a couple of years standing empty, the building was sadly demolished in 1985. Today, Embassy Court, a retirement housing complex, stands in its place.

But to many who remember the picture house's glory days, the site will always be home to the Embassy Cinema.

What are your memories of The Embassy? Do you miss having a cinema in Maldon? Get in touch to let us know!