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.

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

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

Twicer ice lollies and the National Anthem

Dot Sharp (now living in Canada!) contacted us to share her memories of cinema: “My brother and I would run as fast as we could on our 5 and 6yr old legs from Bark Road […]

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

Happy memories of The ABC Minors and dates at the pictures

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

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.