Going To The Pictures

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.

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

Films and Filming

Films and Filming was first published in 1951, and where other film magazines of the time publicized films and their stars with little critical appraisal, Films and Filming was very much a serious magazine about […]

The cinema as a centre for our adventure

A black and white adventure

The cinema as a centre for our adventure

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.

In some cinemas admission could be obtained by exchanging jam jars if you had no money. This practice was especially true at the children's cinema matinees where some children would take them to the cinema with jam still in.

Exchanging jam jars for Cinema entrance

In some cinemas admission could be obtained by exchanging jam jars if you had no money. This practice was especially true at the children’s cinema matinees where some children would take them to the cinema with jam still in.

The Going to the Pictures Launch Event gave guests an opportunity to reminisce and take a nostalgic look back at Going to the Pictures.

Going to the Pictures Project Launch Event

The Going to the Pictures Launch Event gave guests an opportunity to reminisce and take a nostalgic look back at Going to the Pictures.

Some young cinema goers were given the responsibility of being a monitor - providing help and assistance to the cinema staff

Children’s Cinema Club Monitors

Some young cinema goers were given the responsibility of being a monitor – providing help and assistance to the cinema staff

Typical program from Gaumont Cinema Bootle 1962, advertising films that where to be shown at the cinema during the month of August.

Programme from the Gaumont Cinema, Bootle – August 1962

Typical program from Gaumont Cinema Bootle 1962, advertising films that where to be shown at the cinema during the month of August.