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.

The original building of what was the Palladium Cinema in Seaforth still stands today and has been part of the community for 100 years, having several changes of use. It is currently used as a gymnasium.

The Palladium, Seaforth

The original building of what was the Palladium Cinema in Seaforth still stands today and has been part of the community for 100 years, having several changes of use. It is currently used as a gymnasium.

Eric's childhood holiday to Seaforth and memories of the Stella

Holiday to Seaforth and the Scarlet Pimpernel

Eric’s childhood holiday to Seaforth and memories of the Stella

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

Visit to the North West Sound Archive

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

Tom has an interesting cinema memory from before the smoking ban.

Real cigarettes in the Regal

Tom has an interesting cinema memory from before the smoking ban.

Cinema program from Boole Gaumont February 1962. Films showing at the cinema at that time included two 'abridged versions' this means that the films had been edited into shorter versions often in order to fit around the main feature

Cinema Programme Bootle Gaumont February 1962

Cinema program from Boole Gaumont February 1962. Films showing at the cinema at that time included two ‘abridged versions’ this means that the films had been edited into shorter versions often in order to fit around the main feature

When the film 'Rock Around the Clock' was released in cinemas the music had people dancing in the aisles and many people were asked to leave the cinema.

‘Rock around the Clock’

When the film ‘Rock Around the Clock’ was released in cinemas the music had people dancing in the aisles and many people were asked to leave the cinema.

The role that cinema has played in modern society cannot be underestimated. Films have helped to form fashions, fads and opinions, offered views and educated and entertained  the masses,  whilst providing a place to escape the reality of life.

The influence of cinema on society and the role of newsreels

The role that cinema has played in modern society cannot be underestimated. Films have helped to form fashions, fads and opinions, offered views and educated and entertained the masses, whilst providing a place to escape the reality of life.

Things sold within the cinema during the 1930's to the 1960's were limited in terms of the refreshments and snacks sold within modern cinemas.

No supersized popcorn or giant fizzy drinks

Things sold within the cinema during the 1930′s to the 1960′s were limited in terms of the refreshments and snacks sold within modern cinemas.