The Flicks

The Tower...A small cinema just off Butler Street near to Mill Street, it was dubbed “the lousy hour” not just because the title rhymed with tower but because it was rumoured that the cats which frequented “cats park” which was opposite, used to sleep in the cinema, and the cats carried fleas.

The Butler...A neat little cinema in Butler Street near to Oldham Road, it was dubbed “The Ranch” due to the numerous cowboy films it showed. They had some great serials for the “penny crush” on Saturday afternoons. The favourite was “Flash Gordon” and after seeing the “Claymen” appear out of the walls in “Flash” we kids were reluctant to go down the narrow back entries in case the Claymen got us.

The Osborne...The “Oz” was originally a live theatre and all the theatrical decor was retained. It had a long curved balcony. A feature which was very popular was the community singing. A bouncing ball would point out the lyrics and often some budding crooner would attempt to outsing the rest of the audience. It ceased to be a cinema years ago but it still stands on Oldham Road.

The Empress... The “Emp” is also still on Oldham Road and it too ceased to be a cinema way back. It is said to be a grade two listed building. There were three long benches at the front which accomodated twice as many youngsters as they should have at Saturday matinees. An activity which the kids loved there was the shooting of dried peas at the sets of metal reeds on either side of the screen. We never heard that organ play!

The Popular... The “Pop” was opposite the Playhouse on Queens Road near the Rechabite Hall. The “Pop” was top with most of the youngsters. Plenty of serials and ‘cowies’, and they must have shown every “Dead End Kids” film ever made over and over. It was only a couple of pennies to get in.

The Victory...The “Vic” was on Varley Street near the Grey Mare pub. It had a metal roof and whenever it rained hard it was a job to hear the soundtrack. A small cinema, but well used!

The Playhouse... Posh, plush decorative, the Playhouse was “The Ritz” of cinemas in our area. If a young fella wanted to impress a girl he was dating, he took her to the Playhouse. The plush seats and carpets and the good selection on the ice-cream girl’s tray all gave a boost to the ambiance. A bit more expensive, but eh! who cared ?
Tom Connor