Rio cinema

In the boom of British cinema Hackney had 23 cinemas. Today only one has survived - Rio cinema in Dalston. This year the one of most popular independent cinemas in London is celebrating its 100th birthday. In 1909, Clara Ludski, the owner of an auctioneer's shop at 105 Kingsland High Street, recognised the growing potential of moving pictures and converted her shop into a 175-seat electric picture house. It was then called the Kingsland Palace and was among the first full-time cinemas.
Photos by (c) Arnis Balcus