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.
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’
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
I sent the 3 children to the pictures and my youngest son actually committed the cardinal sin of The Gaumont
Patricia remembers The Stella being “a bit posh” and the usherettes going round sprying discinfectant or flit spray during the films in the Palladium
The Winter Gardens cinema was a popular place for showing ‘X’ certificate films and memories have been shared
Crosby Cinema or Crosby Picture House was opened 100 years ago as Crosby’s only cinema.