“I remember there were two screenings in the evenings. The first house started at around 6 o’clock, with the second at around 8:15pm. It was a real rush for workers to get to the first house. Sometimes there were two separate showings, but often everything went on continuously.

What was particularly frustrating was that after queuing for half-hour or more for the second house, in often cold and wet conditions, you could not be sure of getting in until after the main film had started. This was because the first house viewers would stay on.

Another memory is of the Odeon Club on Saturday mornings. I remember the club song which went like this: “To the Ode – Odeon we have come. Now we’re all together we can have some fun. Is everybody happy – YES…. Etc. etc.” I can’t remember the rest.”

Eileen Clarke

Below is a video clip of another version of the Odeon Cinema Club Song. The ABC Minors also had a Cinema Club song. Clubs, songs and badges gave the children a feeling of belonging and brought loyalty to the cinemas as child regulars returned each week.

“I was born in 1952 – as a young girl, I was a ‘very’ proud ABC Minor and wore my badge with pride!  I was at the Regal in Litherland every Saturday morning without fail. I remember the wonderful sense of ‘belonging’. I loved singing the the song ‘We are the ABC Minors, happy girls and boys……’ – and we were!!!

In 1959 when Ben Hur was advertised I was desperate to go and see it but my Mum said I wasn’t old enough.

In the 60′s groups of us would think nothing of walking from Litherland,  to and from the Odeon in Crosby and the Gaumont in Bootle to see all the new films.

In 1968, I went out on my first ‘proper’ date, what did we do?  We went to see Oliver! I’ve still got the programme!!

My Dad was born in 1919 he used to tell me he used to collect jam jars to get into the ‘pictures’!!!!

I realise what a big part of my growing up revolved around the local cinemas!”

Jean Livingstone