Movies had been shown here for almost half a century but 40 years ago much of the building had been reduced to rubble as the site was cleared for redevelopment.

These pictures from the Watford Observer archive were taken in November 1983 and show much of the former Odeon cinema in High Street had already been demolished.

First opened in 1937 as the Gaumont, the cinema had around 2,000 seats.

It was to show films for the next 46 years and also saw some of the most famous names in music take to its stage during the 1960s.

Watford Observer: Much of the cinema had already been destroyedMuch of the cinema had already been destroyed (Image: Watford Observer)

The cinema was renamed the Odeon in 1964 but in 1983 plans were given the go-ahead to redevelop the site and it closed for the last time on October 15 of that year.

Watford Observer: The sign on the cinema read 'Goodbye All' following its closureThe sign on the cinema read 'Goodbye All' following its closure (Image: Bob Nunn Collection / Watford Museum)

Scroll down this page to see photos of the demolition work, together with some images of the cinema when it was opened from our friends at Watford Museum.

Watford Observer: The exposed interior of part of the buildingThe exposed interior of part of the building (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The Gaumont c1953The Gaumont c1953 (Image: Watford Museum)

Watford Observer: The view from the road of what was left of the cinemaThe view from the road of what was left of the cinema (Image: Watford Observer)