I recall the following Grand, Gaumont (Odean or originally Pladium)Troc, Palace, Forum, Regal, Scala (became Southport Rep) Garrick (originally a Vaudville type place) Colliseum and the Bedford (cnr Kew Rd and Bedford Road. There was also a cinema in High Park at one time. Were there any more, I know the TROC became Woolies but what about the rest and what happened to the little theatre
abenis

The High Park cinema.....the Regent I think? Flyp will probably know. The Little Theatre is still there I believe.

Abenis.... Your choice of nickname makes me giggle. Can't help myself, I always see a 'p' not a 'b'.

Don't forget the Plaza in Ainsdale,which became the Moulin Rouge and now is a steakhouse!!
As a member of the executive of the Southport Dramatic Club,I can assure you that the Little Theatre is indeed still going strong. See all the latest about the new developments at:
www.littletheatresouthport.co.uk

Skichic
About time too. I have used this name for the past 15 years, it is my MIL's maiden name. I picked it straight away as it appealed to my sense of the r________ Still wouldn't mind a bit of slippery chick!!!!!
abenis

David
Thank you for your info most welcome the last Production I saw at the LT was Pinochio in 1976.
When I worked at Rawcliffes I was the contact to loan Props and when the company moved to the Scala. The most famous person that came out of Southport Rep Paul Scholfield I think????
abenis
And of course the Plaza I had forgotten that it became the Moulin Rouge and I shouldn't have as I went to the ifirst dance at the MR

A Benis !!

It was me who made the comment....not Skichic, although I bet she noticed it too! I had wanted to make a remark on it for some time now, however I was not sure if I would offend your sensibilities. Glad to see that you also enjoy the ribald and ridiculous!

At one time I worked on the 3rd floor of the building in front of the Little Theatre. I am afraid that I did once offend the sensibilities of a Little Theatre patron when I threw the slice of lemon from my tea out of the window and it landed on his pristine white shirt. No excuse for my actions, just callow youth.

Seivad
Seems like half the population of Southport now lives in Canada.
If one calls a spade a spade one must be prepared for flack in return. Any fool can criticise but few can accept criticism. Have you heard the saying "better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than open it and remove all doubt"
Cheers
ab(P)enis

Hmmmmm......now how am I supposed to take that remark I wonder?

The majority of Southport Ex Pats seem to live on the West Coast of Canada. Vancouver in particular has quite a large contingent of Sandgrounders. The area I live in, Southern Ontario, has very few.....only 2 on this site anyway.

Seivad
As a whacking great compliment much more fun searching than lifting
Peter
My lifelong mate lives in Surrey Hills BC

Back to what this file started off as!

C I N E M A S !

I remember going to see the rock opera 'Tommy' at the upstairs screen in the Classic cinema on Lord Street. The auditorium was less than half full - and a good job too!

After about twenty minutes into the film, two girls near the front shouted 'A Mouse'. Their legs immediately went up over the back of the row in front. I was sat towards the back of the cinema, and gradually the audience began to follow the girls example.

By the end of the film most of the audience had their legs over the seat in front. It was a great film, particularly with the Classic sound system - hope the mouse enjoyed it too!

There used to be a cinema in Churchtown where the new tesco store is now. I don't remember it being open, but I do recall it was a car repair garage for a while. Do any of you know what it was called?.

I remember going to see "The Guns of navarone" at the Essoldo cinema., but the Scala was closed then.

That cinema in Churchtown must have been pre-war. I cannot recall any there. There were a group of us from Tulketh St on most Summer evenings we would ride our Bikes to Botanic getting there by as many different routes that we could find and returning home by a different route. Some evenings we got as far as Banks!!!! I think the Essoldo was originally The Garrick Theatre and I saw Tommy Steele there. As for the Classic it is a new one on me

It was called The Regent.... and it was NOT pre-war....

I lived in The Causeway and we strolled down to the Cinema.

I remember going with my Mum, Dad and sister to see films such as 'The sea shall not have us' and 'Above us the waves' This was probably around 1956.

Was it Jack Hawkins who starred in these films?

Ped
I have no recollection at all of that cinema. Will contact one of the group to see if they can enlighten me. I remember The Causeway name but not where it is-Could it be Crossens?
Jack Hawkins is right
Abenis

The Regent cinema was at the top of Preston new Road . I went there nearly every week as a kid(during the war and a little later).