The aim of the Going to the Pictures Project has been to help preserve a part of our local cinema heritage by collecting and recording memories from people who used and worked in the local picture houses from the 1930′s to the 1960′s.
Explore this map of 21 local cinemas within a 3 mile radius of the Plaza, from 1930 to 1960.
Typical program from Gaumont Cinema Bootle 1962, advertising films that where to be shown at the cinema during the month of August.
Gender roles portrayed in the cinema where sometimes untrue to life but helped to reinforce stereotypes
The memories of Going to the Pictures we have recorded for the project will be stored within the North West Sound Archive so that part of our local cinema heritage is preserved for future generations
Built as a theatre in 1890 then moved on to show popular moving images, known locally as ‘The Ranch’ the building held many interesting memories until it was destroyed by fire in the 1950′s
Through the memories of cinema going we have recorded for the project, many people have commented on the growing influence America had upon British society through the cinema
Film cards, magazines and photographs of the stars became valuable prized possessions which were collected and exchanged by the cinema goers and would be a talking point in society.
The cinema for women from the 1930′s onwards has provided an escape from real life and a place in which they could find out about new fashions and trends
The ABC Film Review magazine was available in all ABC Cinemas from 1950 onwards. This magazine told cinema goers of forth coming film attractions