Going To The Pictures

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.

Cinema Heritage Interactive Map

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

Visits to various picture houses in the area with family and friends

My father did shift work, so every third week we would all go to the pictures either to the Regent, Plaza or the Corona…

Additional entertainment at the Cinema matinees

Some cinemas would have additional entertainment aside from the films which would entertain and involve audience participation.

Cinema Programme for Bootle Gaumont 1962

Original Cinema program from the Bootle Gaumont 1962. Although by this time television had drew audiences away from the cinemas, film programs continued to show re released films

Silent films – then sound comes to the cinema

The innovation of sound technology in the late 1920′s caused a sensation in the world of film and many cinemas had to adapt and alter to embrace the new technology.

“We are the ABC Minors happy girls and boys ….and we were”

Happy memories of The ABC Minors and dates at the pictures

The Going to the Pictures Project Film

The cinema memories we have recorded through the project have helped to create a short film which gives a glimpse into what Going to the Pictures was like from the 30′s to the 60′s.