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 Winter Gardens cinema was a popular place for showing ‘X’ certificate films and memories have been shared
In the early days of cinema films for children would often be of American origin and sometimes just be adult films which had been edited until British films especially made for the child audience came along following concerns about the effects of film on the young audience.
We come along on a Saturday morning, greeting everybody with a smile….
Children’s Matinees
Saturday morning, hundreds of unsupervised rowdy children. What could it be?
The Gainsborough, opened in 1922 and was named after the famous painter Thomas Gainsborough. It was built almost directly opposite The Picture House of Bootle and helped bring about its closure.
At one time many cinemas were not allowed to open on a Sunday and those which did had several restrictions placed upon them.
The beautiful building was demolished and now shops stand in its place
The Stella Cinema a 1920′s gem which accommodated seating for 1200 patrons
Jean’s cinema memories of dating at the Pictures and the influence of music and not being able to stay in your seat for wanting to dance.