Going To The Pictures » Tag: 1950s

Playing games relating to films and film stars

admin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:44:16 +0000

The children at the children’s cinema matinees would often get absorbed and carried away with the films being shown on the big screen. Such was their popularity that many games relating to the films and film stars were common place in and around the streets of Britain from the 1930′s to the 1960′s.

Many children would leave the cinema slapping their thighs and pretending to be cowboys like their favorite action hero’s. They would also use their coats as a capes, pretending to fly like batman, reliving what they had just watched on the screen.

The songs and musicals would be enacted around the streets when the young people left the cinema.

Hugging and kissing in the back row of the movies

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:39:04 +0000

The cinema has provided a popular venue for dating and through the 30’s to the 60’s was the first choice for many first dates and courting couples.

Due to the rolling and changing film program and the large number of cinemas, there was always lots of choice.

It was a warm, dark environment away from family and friends. That was until the lights would go on and many friends in courting couples would be scattered around the cinema especially on the back row. The cinema acted a social venue in which people from the community could come together, meet and find out who was dating who.

Copying film star styles

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:09:28 +0000

The role that cinema has played within society cannot be underestimated. The influence of film in helping form opinions and fashions can be seen and demonstrated through the decades from the headscarves and sunglasses of the 1930’s to the cinched waist lines from the stars of 40’s and 50’s Hollywood, to the Tony Curtis hairstyle of the 50’s and 60’s.

How many lollies was that worth?

admin — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:08:55 +0000

“I remember well the 1950’s Saturday Morning Matinees. It was always packed with children and before the show commenced {Pathe news, trailers. 2 cartoons, the serial and the main feature usually a Western – Great Stuff} an M.C. would be on stage and invite the children to come up and give ‘a turn’ After the song the M.C. would call out to the audience “How many lollies was that worth?” and the excited audience would yell back “one, two or four” or in some cases “none” , if it was terrible

Lovely times at The Odeon, now The Plaza“

Josie Messerli – Crosby

Twicer ice lollies and the National Anthem

admin — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:25:16 +0000

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 to the Regal on Church Rd. with our sixpenny bit cluched in our hands It was the high light of our week Don’t recall what was my fav show (my brother loved The lone ranger and Tonto)I think I just loved the feeling of belonging Loved the bits when the bad guys were winning and we all had to ‘BOOOOOOOO’ or when the good guys were winning the ‘HURRAY’ We came out tired but Happy.

Here’s the naughty bit!! for some reason I was fixated with English Martyrs Catholic church, It was always open back then. I would drag my brother in with threats of his life if he dared to speak once inside. Off we would wander in awe of the many statues inside. Aaaaaah bliss. Then back home to reality.

Can’t imagine a 5-6 yr old being allowed to make that track these days different world, different times back then. Forgot to add the bit about after the film was over (wonder if they still do this in England now?) There was about a 60 second delay after the movie before they started playing ‘God Save The Queen‘ there was a mad dash for the exits in that 60secs. Interestingly enough as soon as the first note struck, not a single child moved, Also forgot, the ice lolly of the day was a Twicer (it had 2 sticks and you could bash it on the side of the seat and get 2 perfect lollies If you were rich you could get a little tub of ice cream with a wooden spoon

I now live in Canada but still consider Litherland my home.”

Dot Sharp