Going To The Pictures

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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.

Memories are made of this… Project overview

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.

Cinema Heritage Interactive Map

Explore this map of 21 local cinemas within a 3 mile radius of the Plaza, from 1930 to 1960.

The films watched at the childrens cinema matinees would absorb and excite many children watching from the 1930's to 60's and would influence the games that the children played

Playing games relating to films and film stars

The films watched at the childrens cinema matinees would absorb and excite many children watching from the 1930′s to 60′s and would influence the games that the children played

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

The Hollywood Influence on British Cinema Goers

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

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

The Muncaster, New Princes Theatre, Strand Cinema Irlam Road Bootle – a.k.a. The Ranch

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

The Lathom was a Picture house, now over 100 years later it plays homage to its cinematic roots and is decorated with film and music memorabillia.

The Lathom Hall Picture Palace

The Lathom was a Picture house, now over 100 years later it plays homage to its cinematic roots and is decorated with film and music memorabillia.

Twicer ice lollies and the National Anthem

Dot Sharp (now living in Canada!) contacted us to share her memories of cinema: “My brother and I would run as fast as we could on our 5 and 6yr old legs from Bark Road […]

Souvenir Film Brochures were widely sold at cinemas during the initial release of what at the time were described as film "Epics" they helped promote the film and usually contained details of the cast, how the film was made and also assorted stills from the film.

Souvenir Brochures from Cinemas (1)

Souvenir Film Brochures were widely sold at cinemas during the initial release of what at the time were described as film “Epics” they helped promote the film and usually contained details of the cast, how the film was made and also assorted stills from the film.

Flyers distributed in cinemas were a popular way to advertise forthcoming features.

Flyer for ‘The Inspector,’ 1962

Flyers distributed in cinemas were a popular way to advertise forthcoming features.

When we were all younger, we used to go to the Odeon cinema for the the Saturday Morning Club. We would pay our 6(d) pence to go in, buy our sweets and walk into the main auditorium were a man played the organ.

The happy memories of the Odeon Cinema, Waterloo (now the Plaza)

When we were all younger, we used to go to the Odeon cinema for the the Saturday Morning Club. We would pay our 6(d) pence to go in, buy our sweets and walk into the main auditorium were a man played the organ.

National Lottery Heritage Fund Plaza Cinema