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.

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

The Regent Cinema was the first suburban cinema in the area to have a cafe lounge installed when it was built in 1920, over the years the building has had  several uses including a bingo and social club. It is now part of St Mary's School Gymnasium.

The Regent Cinema – Liverpool Road, Crosby

The Regent Cinema was the first suburban cinema in the area to have a cafe lounge installed when it was built in 1920, over the years the building has had several uses including a bingo and social club. It is now part of St Mary’s School Gymnasium.

Film cards, magazines and photographs of the stars became valuable prized possessions which were collected and exchanged by the cinema goers and would be a talking point in society.

Collecting and copying the film stars

Film cards, magazines and photographs of the stars became valuable prized possessions which were collected and exchanged by the cinema goers and would be a talking point in society.

Watch some more short clips from people sharing their memories of the Children's Cinema Matinees of the 1930's to 60's

More memories of the Children’s Cinema Matinees

Watch some more short clips from people sharing their memories of the Children’s Cinema Matinees of the 1930′s to 60′s

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

This is a scanned copy of a flyer that was handed out in cinemas to advertising forthcoming films.

Flyer for ‘Nine Hours to Rama,’ 1962

This is a scanned copy of a flyer that was handed out in cinemas to advertising forthcoming films.

Some students from Crosby High School have helped to create the Cinema Heritage Trail Map depicting the sites of the 21 Cinemas

Crosby High School – The Cinema Heritage Trail

Some students from Crosby High School have helped to create the Cinema Heritage Trail Map depicting the sites of the 21 Cinemas

The Regal was built as a purpose built cinema and opened 1939. With a white frontage, the sail shape building was a very popular venue especially with courting couples who remember the double 'Love Seats'

The Regal Cinema Church Road Litherland

The Regal was built as a purpose built cinema and opened 1939. With a white frontage, the sail shape building was a very popular venue especially with courting couples who remember the double ‘Love Seats’