Going To The Pictures

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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.

If you got in for the 'Penny Rush' you had extra money for sweets - Toms early 1930's matinee memories

Penny rush and Roy Rogers

If you got in for the ‘Penny Rush’ you had extra money for sweets – Toms early 1930′s matinee memories

When we were all younger, we used to go to the Odeon cinema for the the Saturday Morning Club. We would pay our 6(d) pence to go in, buy our sweets and walk into the main auditorium were a man played the organ.

The happy memories of the Odeon Cinema, Waterloo (now the Plaza)

When we were all younger, we used to go to the Odeon cinema for the the Saturday Morning Club. We would pay our 6(d) pence to go in, buy our sweets and walk into the main auditorium were a man played the organ.

There were often queues to get into the cinemas because they were so popular.

Queues to get into the cinemas

There were often queues to get into the cinemas because they were so popular.

ABC Minors

“Our street gang used to go to the REGAL for the ABC Minors, and we sang our heart out….”we are the boys and girls well known as, the members of the…..” after the song was […]

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’

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

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

The Queens Picture House - The first purpose built cinema in Waterloo

The Queens Picture House South Road Waterloo

The Queens Picture House – The first purpose built cinema in Waterloo

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.

National Lottery Heritage Fund Plaza Cinema