This lists the films that my grandad and mother recorded seeing. It is a work in progress! Brief details are given here by year.
1914
A Note on Cinemas
In 1914, grandad tended to go to the cinema twice per week once to Kings, usually on a Wednesday, and once to the Star usually on a Thursday. He very occasionally went to other cinemas, e.g. to Nottingham Palace in June.
Most of the Films He Saw Have Been Lost
While it is possible to identify the films he watched, almost all are lost. A few exceptions are available on YouTube including “Curse of Greed” and “Traffic in Souls“.
Turns and Acts
In addition to films, Kings also featured live acts or “turns“. Some of these included the illusionist Victor the Great, Daisy Graham and her birds and the village nuts. Some were described in general terms, e.g. eight “chinamen” acting, a woman shooter and a man who could lift 12 men. On the day war was declared, 5 August 1914, grandad went to see Buckingham’s Performing Dogs. In October 1914, the wrestling champion George de Relwyskow visited.
Sutton Library and Notts Free Press
In 1914, although grandad noted the names of some of the films he saw, he often did not. He would just note the cinema he went to. I was able to identify some of the films he saw at the Kings from the archive of the Notts Free Press held on microfiche at Sutton Library. This was possible until May 1914 as the Kings advertised in the Free Press until then but not after July 1914. I was not able to find any adverts for the Star in the Free Press for 1914.
These adverts shed further light on the programme offered by the Kings in 1914. Usually, there were one or two short films supported by one or two turns. For example, on 18 February 1914, the two films were “Broncho Billy Gets Square” and “Mabel’s New Hero“. The latter film is available on YouTube. The turns were the magician, the Great Maurice Delroy and juvenile musicians and dancers, the Kirkwhites.
1915
Mostly to Kings
In 1915, grandad went mainly to Kings but occasionally to the Star.
Quo Vadis
Again, while it is possible to identify the films he watched, almost all are lost. A few exceptions are available on YouTube including “Quo Vadis“.
A Few Turns at Kings
There were a few “turns” at Kings including the Red, White and Blue cyclists and the Five Stars.
1917
Mostly to the Star
This year, grandad went only to the Star and he went most weeks.
Price of Jealousy
Almost all the films mentioned are lost although “Price of Jealousy” is available on YouTube.
1918
Mostly to the Star
This year, grandad went mainly to the Star and he went most weeks. He did note going to Kings once. That was on 20 March 1918 to see “The Birth of a Nation”. This film is one of the few available on YouTube in whole or in part. Others include “Pearl of the Army”.
Usually Alone
Grandad usually went on his own but sometimes went with others including his sister, Eva, his nephew, Gordon, his brother-in-law, John, and his friend Billie Clover.
Recurring Actors and Directors
One thing I noted is that grandad saw some actors in multiple films. One example is Marie Walcamp who grandad saw in “Won in the Clouds” in 1914, in “Coral” and “The Yellow Star” in 1917 and in “Who Pulled the Trigger” and “The Red Ace” in 1918. She was an American actress who appeared in more than 50 films between 1913 and 1929. Sadly, she committed suicide aged only 42.
Grandad also saw multiple films by the same director. For example, he saw a number of Percy Nash films including “Master and the Man” in 1915, “In the Days of Trafalgar” in 1917 and “Temporal Power” in 1918.
Some directors were also actors. For example, grandad saw William Duncan in “Bill Peters’ Kid” in 1917 and in “The Last Man” and “The Fighting Trail” in 1918. William Duncan also directed the latter film.
The Birth of a Nation – A Very Controversial Film
It seems that grandad specifically made the effort to see “The Birth of a Nation”, directed by D W Griffith, as he went to see this at Kings rather than going to the Star as was his usual practice. This is a hugely controversial film. The Silent Film Group on Facebook only allow comments on this film on one stream which is closely moderated and which is closed, from time to time. While there are those who consider the film to be a “landmark in cinema history” and a “technical masterpiece”, others consider that the only things new in the film were length and scale. Underlying the controversy is the extremely racist nature of the film, particularly its treatment of African Americans, and its role in reinvigorating groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.
1919
Fewer Cinema Trips
Grandad recorded fewer cinema trips during this period. I don’t know if this was because he was going less or just not recording when he went. From November, he was back to going to the Star weekly, mostly with Cyril Smith, but he did not record what they saw.
A Few Named Films
Grandad only named four films during this year – “At the Lion’s Mercy“, “The Moon Child“, “Love & Riches” and “Adventures among the Cannibals“. “The Moon Child” featured Marie Walcamp, mentioned above.
Hippodrome Nottingham
In August 1919, grandad went to the Hippodrome in Nottingham with Cyril. I am not sure if this was Cyril Parkin, his brother, or Cyril Smith, his brother-in-law. Grandad did not record what he saw but it appears to have been a live show featuring Lily Long, the Seven Bramuses, the Four Minims, Private C Connell, Wilfred Burnand, Horace Ainsley, Laura Neil and Takeo and Komo Namba.
1920
Star Cinema
While grandad noted going to the Star Cinema most weeks between January and March 1920, he mostly did not record the films he saw. He did note that on many occasions he went with his brother-in-law, John Smith.
The Divine Gift
The only film he identified as seeing at the Star in 1920 was “The Divine Gift” directed by Thomas Bentley. Grandad had seen other films by Thomas Bentley including “David Copperfield” in 1915 and “Barnaby Rudge” in 1916.
Auction of Souls
In June 1920, grandad and John Smith went to the Mansfield Picturedrome to see the film “Auction of Souls“. A twenty minute clip of this film about the Armenian genocide still exists.
1921
Grandad did not record seeing any films in 1921. I don’t know if his means he did not see any or just that he did not record them.
1922
As with 1921, grandad did not note any films seen. On 27 December, he noted going to see the pantomime “Cinderella” with his sister-in-law, Minnie.
1923
Grandad did note going to the cinema six times in 1923. However, two of these visits were for variety-type shows rather than to see films. He also went to the Grand Theatre in Mansfield in September to see the play “The Sign of the Cross”. Of interest perhaps is that only one of his cinema trips was to a cinema in Kirkby. That was to Kings and was to see “Over the Hill“. The remainder of his trips were to cinemas in Nottingham including the Elite, Long Row Palace, Hippodrome, the Empire and King’s, see Chapter 21 for details of these cinemas. Also of interest perhaps is that each of the four films we know grandad saw in 1923 are available, in whole or in part, on YouTube. These include “Over the Hill“, “Foolish Wives“, “The Sheik” and “Way Down East“.
1924
Grandad noted seeing two films in 1924. On 20 February, he went to Kings to see “An Exciting Night” which I suspect was the D W Griffith Film “One Exciting Night“. On 5 August, he went to the Elite in Nottingham. He did not note what he saw but, from newspaper records, it appears it was “The Loves of Mary Queen of Scots”. On this day, he also went to the Hippodrome in Nottingham to see the play “Potash and Perlmutter“. “One Exciting Night” is available to watch on YouTube. I have found reference to a copy of “The Loves of Mary Queen of Scots” existing but this does not appear to be easily available online. Gerald Ames appeared in that film. Grandad had seen a number of his films including “On His Majesty’s Service” and “A Highwayman’s Honour“.
1925
Grandad noted seeing seven films in 1925. The films he saw were “The Covered Wagon“, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame“, “The White Sister“, “The Ten Commandments“, “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall“, “Robin Hood” and “INRI“. He saw five of these at the Star in Kirkby. One of the others he saw at Kings in Kirkby while the other, “INRI” he saw at the Albert Hall in Nottingham. All of these films are available to view, at least in part, see links. In the case of “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall“, grandad had previously read the book.
Right – image of front cover of book also in public domain
He also noted going to see four plays at the theatre. These were the pantomime “Robin Hood“, the play “Outward Bound“, a performance by “The New Splinters“ who he also saw in 1928, and the musical “The Lady of the Rose“.
1926
Grandad noted three trips to Kings in 1926. On two occasions, he did not note what he saw. On the other, he noted that a concertina player was there.
He also went to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham in January to see the pantomime “Goody Two Shoes”.
1927
Grandad did not note seeing any films in 1927. He did note seeing the pantomime “Goldilocks and the Three Bears“. According to an article in the Nottingham Journal, this started on 27 December 1926 presumably at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. It starred Douglas Byng, Nora Bancroft, Betty Eley and Hubert Ennor. I am grateful to Trevor Lee for sharing a copy of the programme with me and for informing me that Douglas Byng had been born in Nottingham..
1928
Grandad did not note seeing any films in 1928. However, in October 1928, he did go with grandma to see a dance group called “The New Splinters“, see Chapter 21. This surprised me, given their staunch religious beliefs, as they were a drag group. However, I am grateful to Trevor Lee for explaining that they were a well-known and widely accepted concert party and while some found “their cross-dressing troubling” others found their feminine mimicry “bewitching“. The group originated during the first world war and I am grateful again to Trevor Lee for guiding me to a souvenir programme for a motion picture titled “Splinters” which was about the group and its formation. This film is available to watch free online. It seems grandad had seen “The New Splinters” three years earlier in 1925.
1929
Grandad noted seeing one film in 1929. On 30 April 1929, he went to the Star and saw Cecil DeMille’s film “King of Kings“. Versions of this film are still available on YouTube.
1930
Grandad noted seeing three films in 1930. Each was significant in its own way. In September 1930, he saw (and heard) his first talking movie. This was “Sunny Side Up” and he saw it at the Star, see Chapter 21. In October 1930, he saw “Gold Diggers of Broadway“, another talking movie. The reason this film was significant was that it was the first film he saw at the new Regent cinema, see Chapter 21. According to Trevor Lee, this was the second week of the Regent’s operation with “The Desert Song” having been shown in the first week.
Finally, grandad noted going to the Regent in November 1930. The odd thing about this was that it was on a Sunday. As far as I can see, from adverts at the time, no films were showing that Sunday. Perhaps, he was attending some other kind of meeting or event. It is of note that in March 1961 he and grandma voted against Sunday opening of cinemas, see Chapter 79.
1931
Grandad did not note seeing any films in 1931. He did note, in January, that grandma, Eva and the children went to the pantomime. He did not note where this was or which pantomime.
1932
Grandad only noted going to the cinema once in 1932, to the Regent, in May. However, he did not note what he saw. However, I identified an advert from a physical archive of the Notts Free Press at Sutton Library. This showed that the film was “One Heavenly Night“.
1933
Grandad did not note seeing any films or any trips to the cinema in 1933.
1934
On 21 February 1934, grandad noted that grandma went to a concert at a theatre in Mansfield. Based on news articles of the time, it seems this was a performance of “The Marriage Market” by the Mansfield Amateur Operatic Society. On 2 April 1934, grandad went to see “King Kong” at the Regent.
1935
On 11 April 1935, grandad went to the Star to see “Roman Scandals“.
1936
Grandad did not note seeing any films or any trips to the cinema in 1936.
1937
Grandad did not note seeing any films or any trips to the cinema in 1937.
1938
In 1938, grandad recorded seeing two films, “Topper” at Kings and “Oh Mr Porter” at the Regent. He also saw two plays at the Portland in Sutton. One was called “White Cargo” while the second was called “Maria Martin” or “Murder in the Red Barn“. I am grateful to Trevor Lee for informing me that both of these plays were part of a four-week engagement of the Charles Denville Players at the Portland in Sutton. Mum and grandma also went to see the pantomime “Dick Whittington and His Cat” in Sutton in January.
1939
In 1939, grandad only recorded seeing one film. That was “Robin Hood” which he saw with mum at Kings.
1940
Grandad did not record seeing any films in 1940. However, in January, mum and grandma did go to the pantomime in Sutton. I am grateful to Trevor Lee for identifying that this was “Aladdin“.
1941
There were two trips to the pantomime in Sutton this year, one in January, to see “Dick Whittington“, and one in December, to see “Cinderella“. For the second trip, grandma took mum, an evacuee called Fred and Rev, Mrs and Dorothy Lofthouse. Grandad did not go. He went to the Regent instead to see the films “A Day in Soviet Russia” and “A Christmas Carol“. He also went to the cinema on Christmas Day in 1941 to see “Once a Thief“.
1942
In May 1942, grandma and grandad took mum and Fred, an evacuee, to Kings to see a production of “Babes in the Woods” put on by local girls. Grandad also recorded going to the Regent on Christmas Day and the day before New Year’s Eve. He also went to the Star on Boxing Day. He did not record what films he saw. However, I am grateful to Trevor Lee for identifying that the film showing at the Regent on Christmas Day was “Dumbo“.
I was also able to identify adverts for the other films he saw from a physical archive of the Notts Free Press at Sutton Library. On Boxing Day, the films showing at the Star were “Old Mother Riley’s Circus” and “Cracked Nuts“. On 30 December, “Sons of Fury” was showing at the Regent.
1943
Grandad recorded a total of eight trips to the cinema in 1943. Most of these were to the Regent but, in June 1943, he went to the Portland in Sutton with Arthur Lofthouse. Although he did not always note what he saw, films he did see included “Mrs Miniver“, “Random Harvest“, “The Black Swan“, “We Dive at Dawn” and “I’ll Walk Beside You“.
I am grateful to Trevor Lee for identifying that the film he went to see in August was Laurel and Hardy’s “A-Haunting We Will Go“. I also identified that the films he saw on 6 January at the Regent were “Charley’s Aunt” and “On the Sunny Side“. I did this from adverts in a physical archive of the Notts Free Press at Sutton Library.
In addition to the cinema, mum and grandma saw three pantomimes in January, “Red Riding Hood” in Sutton, a pantomime in Mansfield and “Robinson Crusoe” in Nottingham. In June, they all went to the circus in Sutton and, in October, grandma and Eileen Fawthrop went to see the opera “Barber of Seville” in Nottingham.
1944
Grandad also recorded a total of eight trips to the cinema in 1944. All of these were to the Regent with the exception of one trip to Kings on Boxing Day. He mostly did not say who he went with but people specified included grandma, mum and Aunt Pat. Mostly, he did not note what he saw. Two films he did note were “Madame Curie” and “Gone with the Wind“. In addition to the cinema, mum and grandma saw three pantomimes in January. One was “Babes in the Wood” in Sutton and two were in Nottingham, at the Theatre Royal and the Little Theatre respectively. At the Theatre Royal, they saw “Dick Whittington” starring George Formby and at the Little Theatre they saw “Alice in Wonderland”.
1945
Grandad recorded more than 20 trips to the cinema in 1945. In August and September, he seemed to be going weekly. However, he only recorded one film that he saw which was “Henry V” which he saw at the Portland in Sutton. Nevertheless, I was able to identify the films he saw from adverts in editions of the Notts Free Press held in the archives of Sutton Library. On one occasion, grandad saw a film , “Mrs Parkington” at the Regent and mum, grandma and Aunt Pat saw the same film there two days later.
Grandad usually went to the cinema on a Wednesday. When grandad went on a day other than a Wednesday, it usually related to some form of holiday. For example, on Thursday 16 August 1945, he saw “Farewell My Lovely” at the Regent. This was on the second day of holidays celebrating victory over Japan (VJ Day).
Mostly, grandad went to the Regent but he also went to Kings and to the News Theatre and Empire in Nottingham. Sometimes, there were specific reasons why grandad went to Kings rather than to the Regent including Regent staff being on holiday in July 1945 and grandad already having seen the film offered in December 1945.
Grandad sometimes recorded people with whom he went to the cinema including mum, her friend Margaret Bird and Methodist Minister Arthur Lofthouse.
1946
Mum started her diary in 1946. So, at this point, there were two diaries to consider. More than 30 trips to the cinema or theatre were recorded in 1946.
Grandad recorded almost 30 trips to the cinema in 1946. Mostly, he went to the Regent but he also went to Kings sometimes. He did not always record what he saw. However, films he did record seeing included “Valley of Decision“, “Captain Kidd“, “The Man in Grey“, “The Three Strangers“, “Caravan“, “The Spanish Main“, “My Gal Sal“, “The Corn is Green“, “The Count of Monte Cristo“, “The Invisible Man’s Revenge“, “Theirs is the Glory” and “The Bells of St Mary’s“. I have managed to identify other films he saw from adverts in the Notts Free Press archive at Sutton Library,
Grandma went to see “The Desert Song” in Mansfield. I am not sure if this was the play or a film.
Mum went to four pantomimes in January 1946 including Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. She also went to the Portland in Sutton and the Little Theatre in Nottingham. Mum also saw some plays at school including “The Romantics” and “The Winter’s Tale“. She also went to see three one-act plays at Bentinck Institute with her friend Valerie Frith.
1947
Among almost 30 trips to the cinema or theatre recorded in 1947, grandad noted 15 trips to the cinema. Mostly, he went to the Regent but he recorded four visits to Kings. He did not always note what he saw. However, films he did record seeing included “The Wicked Lady“, “The Green Years“, “Anna & the King of Siam“, “Hungry Hill“, “Turned Out Nice Again“, “Feather Your Nest“, “Nicholas Nickleby“, “The Outlaw“, “The Egg & I” and “The Yearling“. I have identified other films he saw from adverts in the Notts Free Press archive at Sutton Library,
Sometimes, grandad said what he thought about the film. So, he did not think much to “The Outlaw“, he considered “The Egg & I ” a decent picture and he thought “The Yearling” was a poor play but that it had good photography.
As in 1946, mum went to four pantomimes in January 1947 including “Humpty Dumpty” at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, “Red Riding Hood” at the Little Theatre in Nottingham and also in Mansfield, and “Cinderella” at the Portland in Sutton. She also saw “The Glass Slipper” at the Little Theatre in December 1947 with grandma and Mrs Hill.
In March 1947, mum and her parents had been due to go to the theatre in Nottingham to see Just William but bad weather meant they were unable to go there. In May 1947, mum saw “Jane Steps Out” at Bentinck Institute. I am not sure if this was the film or a play. , In June 1947, mum went with Mrs Hill to see another George Formby film at the Regent. It was called “George in Civvy Street“. On a trip to Scarborough in August 1947, mum went to the theatre three times. In December 1947, mum went to see a play that her friend Shirley Sadler was in.
1948
Fewer trips to the cinema and theatre were recorded this year, 15 in total. Grandad recorded six cinema trips, all to the Regent. Films he noted seeing include “They Made Me a Fugitive“, “It Always Rains on Sunday“, “The Slave Girl” and one I think might be called “Night Patrol” or “River Patrol” although I have not identified this definitively. He considered “They Made Me a Fugitive” and “Night Patrol” fair but did not think much of “The Slave Girl“.
Mum went to three pantomimes in January 1948 including “Babes if the Wood” in Sutton, “Robinson Crusoe” at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham and “Mother Goose” at the Grand in Mansfield. She also saw “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in Bentinck in March 1948 with Hazel and Joy Munns. When she stayed with her friend Shirley Sadler in February and September 1948, they went to the Empire on both occasions. Also, when mum was in Bedford in March 1948, she went to see the J B Priestley play “When We Are Married“. In June 1948, mum noted that she and grandad went to see “Just William” at the Regent. I am not sure if this was to compensate for the missed theatre trip the previous year. In August 1948, when the Lofthouses were visiting, they all went to see Carrol Levis’ Discovery, see Chapter 40.
1949
Films Grandad Saw
More than 20 trips to the cinema and theatre were recorded in 1949. Grandad went to both Kings and the Regent. Films he noted seeing include “Bell-Bottom George“, “Luxury Liner” (not bad), “Bonnie Prince Charlie” (not bad), “The Master of Lassie” (good), “North West Passage” (fair) and “Whisky Galore” (good). Grandad gave ratings to some of the films he saw and these are included in brackets after the relevant film.
Plays and Pantomimes
Mum only recorded to going to one pantomime in 1949, Dick Whittington. She went to this in March with her aunt Olive. She had been ill in January and she noted that she had been given 12/6 to compensate for not going to the pantomime. Also, mum did go to other theatre performances and plays including “Merrie England” in Sutton in May and “Waltzes from Vienna” in Nottingham in September. She went to an ice show at the Grand in Mansfield in December 1949. She also saw a play, put on by the teachers, at her school that same month. That was “Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass”. She refers to being in a practice for “Quality Street”. This may have been the play by J M Barrie and may have been put on at school.
Mum Went to the Cinema
Mum noted going to the cinema to see a few films including “Somewhere in Politics“, “He Snoops to Conquer“, “Vote for Huggett“, “On an Island With You” and “George in Civvy Street” which mum had seen before in 1947. Like grandad, she saw films at both Kings and the Regent. She mostly went to the cinema with a friend, particularly either Joan Storer or Barbara Coupe. In November 1949, mum noted that a boy, who she referred to as “DM“, had asked her to go to the pictures with him. The diary does not record whether she went.
One point of interest perhaps is that mum and grandad both saw “Somewhere in Politics” separately on consecutive days.
Film on TV
This year was the first time that grandad recorded watching a film on television. He did not yet have a TV himself but he went to “look at” the one owned by his sister, Eva. He noted watching a film and that it was good. However, he did not note what the film was but, from the Radio Times of the period, it appears that it was the Italian war film, “Open City“.
1950
Mum Saw More Films than Grandad
One trend seen this year, in particular, and in the early fifties, in general, was that mum saw more films than grandad, see Chapter 52. Helpfully, she kept a list of films she saw that year at the end of her diary. However, two films that she recorded in her diary for December 1950 do not appear on this list. They are “The Happiest Days of Your Life” and “Oh You Beautiful Doll“.
A Social Event
Perhaps unlike grandad, for mum going to the cinema was an intensely social event. She often went with friends, particularly Barbara Coupe. But, other friends mentioned include Maureen Normanton, Joan Storer, Margaret Bostock, Pam Bridges, Dorothy Lofthouse and Sylvia Bust. Mum saw one film, “Maytime in Mayfair” twice, first with Barbara Coupe and Maureen Normanton. On one occasion, mum and grandad went to see the same film, “Bride for Sale“, on the same day but it seems they went separately from each other. They certainly did not mention each other.
Mum turned 16 in 1950. So, it is perhaps understandable that these trips to the cinema also sometimes involved boys. Some of these trips were dates, particularly between mum’s friend Barbara Coupe and a boy called Teddy Stephenson. On one occasion, a boy, David Stubbs, paid for mum to go to the cinema, to see “Little Women”. But, on other occasions, it seems that there was a mixed group of friends.
Which Cinema?
While grandad usually mentioned the cinema he had been to, mum rarely did. Nevertheless, it seems that both of them mainly went to the Regent although mum and grandad both noted going to Kings and grandad noted going to the Star in this year. Mum also went at least once to the Portland Cinema in Sutton.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum also sometimes noted cast members and what she thought of the films. While this was not a formal scale, it ranged from not too good to fair to NB (not bad) to G (good) to VG (very good) and, very occasionally, to VVG. When mum saw “Joan of Arc” in July 1950, she commented that there had been “very good acting”, a very different opinion from film critics.
Pantomime and Theatre
In January 1950, mum went to two pantomimes, Jack and the Beanstalk in Nottingham and Red Riding Hood in Sutton. She considered the Nottingham pantomime better. She also saw the play “The Critic” performed at her school, see Chapter 55. When mum visited Bedford, in April 1950, she went to see the farce “Thark” at the County Theatre. In August 1950, mum went with Barbara and Margaret Coupe to see “Bless the Bride” at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. They also went to the News Theatre. In September 1950, she again went with Barbara and Margaret and their parents to the Theatre Royal to see “Wild Violets“.
Plays and Films on TV
Although grandma and grandad did not have a TV at this point, both grandad and mum did sometimes go to others to watch/see TV. For example, in April, mum noted seeing “The First Mrs Fraser” at Olive Smith’s house. In December 1950, she saw “Cinderella” at the house of her cousin, Len, and his wife Dolly (Smith).
1951
Again, Mum Saw More Films than Grandad
This year, as in 1950, mum saw more films than grandad, see Chapter 52. Helpfully, she kept a list of films she saw that year at the end of her diary.
A Social Event
As noted in 1950, mum often went to the cinema with someone else. She often went with her friend Barbara Coupe but other people she went with included Marilyn Seville, Joan Storer, Dallas Wright, Shirley Sadler and Ina Stubbs. References to Margaret could be to mum’s friend Margaret Bostock or to Barbara’s sister Margaret Coupe. Similarly, I am not entirely sure who mum was referring to when she mentioned Joyce. In February 1951, mum and grandad went together to the Regent to see “Let’s Have a Murder“. Also, as in 1950, one of the cinema trips in January Barbara Coupe’s boyfriend, Teddy Stephenson. On one occasion, it seems mum went to the cinema with David Stubbs and his sister Ina.
Which Cinema?
While grandad usually mentioned the cinema he had been to, mum only did so sometimes. Nevertheless, it seems that both of them mainly went to the Regent although both mum and grandad noted going to Kings in this year. Mum also went to Kings in Sutton, to the Grand in Mansfield and to the cinema in Bridlington when she was there.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum often noted cast members and what she thought of the films. She used the same scale which included NB (not bad), good, VG (very good) and VVG (very, very good). Films mum saw at the cinema that she rated VVG included “The Cure for Love“, “Pagan Love Song” and “White Corridors“. Grandad also sometimes rated films using a similar system including not bad, so so and good.
Describing Films
Neither grandad nor mum often described the films they saw. Grandad sometimes gave very general descriptions. For example, he described “Odette” as a war film and “Three Came Home” as a “Jap war film“. Mum described the film “The Wooden Horse” in some details as a “true story how three men escaped from a prisoner of war camp in Germany by digging a tunnel underground from under a vaulting horse. A man was carried out in the horse & dug the tunnel. The tunnel was covered over every time the horse was taken away. It took 3 months to dig tunnel”.
Pantomime and Theatre
In January 1951, mum and grandma went to see the pantomime “Red Riding Hood” in Nottingham. This starred Julie Andrews. In December 1951, mum noted seeing “Aladdin” on TV on Boxing Day. She also saw “Puss in Boots on Ice” on 30 December.
Plays and Films on TV
Grandad got his first television in April 1951. From then on, mum often noted when she watched television. She sometimes noted what she saw including, in particular, plays. In her diary, she kept a list of TV plays she saw in 1951. Commonly, these plays were performed twice, first on a Sunday and, then again, on a Thursday. The first play she noted seeing was on 19 April 1951 and was “Shout Aloud Salvation“. Mum used the same rating system that she used for films she saw at the cinema. She rated the TV play “Square Pegs” VVG. She also sometimes recorded plays or operas that were on even when she had not watched them. Quite a lot of information is available about these plays from the BBC Programme Index including detailed reviews by theatre and TV critic, Lionel Hale.
1952
Mum Recorded the Films She Saw but Grandad Did Not Record Any Cinema Trips
In 1952, mum noted seeing a lot of films. Grandad, however, did not record any cinema trips, see Chapter 52. Helpfully, as in 1950 and 1951, mum kept a list of films she saw that year at the end of her 1952 diary.
Mum Often Went to the Cinema with Friends
As noted in both 1950 and 1951, mum often went to the cinema with friends. In 1952, these friends included Barbara Coupe, Dorothy Lofthouse, Betty Longden and Joan Storer. In December 1952, mum went to the cinema twice as part of groups which included dad on both occasions and on different occasions Hazel Munns, John Overfield, Ken Roome, Ron Rowe and Margaret Varnam.
Which Cinema?
Mum often noted the cinema she went to although she did not always do so. She mainly went to the three cinemas in Kirkby including Kings (6), the Regent (11) and the Star (4). The numbers in brackets denote the number of trips to each cinema mum recorded in 1952. In addition, mum noted twice going to see a film at the Grand in Mansfield and once to see a play at the Playhouse in Nottingham.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum continued to note cast members and what she thought of the films she saw. She used the same scale as she had previously which included NB (not bad), FG (fairly good), VG (very good) and VVG (very, very good). Films that mum rated as VVG were “Two Weeks With Love” which mum saw in March 1952, “The Greatest Show on Earth” which mum saw in July 1952 and “Laughter in Paradise” which mum also saw in July 1952.
Describing Films
Apart from saying who was in the film and giving a rating, mum did not provide descriptions of any of the films she saw in 1952.
Pantomime and Theatre
In September 1952, mum went to the Playhouse in Nottingham to see the Oscar Wilde play “Lady Windermere’s Fan“. In January 1952, mum noted seeing the ballet “Sleeping Beauty“, “Robinson Crusoe on Ice” and “Cinderella” on TV.
Plays and Films on TV
The family had got their first television the previous year in April. At the start of 1952, mum recorded programmes she watched on TV, particularly plays. However, she only continued this until August. Perhaps the novelty of having a TV had worn off? Her diary did contain a list of plays she saw on TV in 1952. Quite a lot of information is available about these plays from the BBC Programme Index including detailed reviews by theatre and TV critic, Lionel Hale.
As in 1951, most of the plays that mum saw on TV were performed twice, first on a Sunday and, then again, on a Thursday. A few plays were in two parts, such as “Mourning Becomes Electra” which mum saw in March and April 1952. She saw some plays that were live broadcast from theatres particularly “The Old Lady Shows Her Medals” and “The Black Eye” from the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. Mum used the same rating system that she used for films she saw at the cinema. She rated the TV plays “Monster of Killoon” and “No Smoking!“ VVG. Occasionally, mum noted a play that had been on TV even though she had not watched it. On 11 March 1952, mum noted that there was no play on TV. From the BBC Programme Index, it seems this was replaced by “Come Dancing” and a comment on the budget.
Radio Plays
Mum sometimes noted listening to radio plays. For example, she listened to “It Won’t Be a Stylish Marriage” in January 1952.
Other TV Programmes
Mum noted watching some TV programmes regularly including “What’s My Line?” and “Kaleidoscope“. She rated one episode of “What’s My Line?” in March 1952 VVG. Mum also noted watching variety-type shows including “Music Hall” in January 1952 and “Pot-Luck” in March 1952. Sometimes, these variety shows/revues were broadcast live from a theatre such as, in April 1952, highlights from “See You Again” from the Watergate Theatre in London and excerpts from “Penny Plain” at St Martin’s Theatre in London.
Mum also sometimes noted documentaries including one about Westminster Abbey in January 1952, a hospital film about dangerous drugs in April 1952 and a report of May Day in Elstow on children’s TV in May 1952. She rated the film about drugs VVG. Mum also watched coverage of the funeral of King George VI in February 1952, of Trooping the Colour in June 1952 and of the Royal Tournament also in June 1952. While mum was not particularly interested in watching sport on TV, she did note watching swimming in February 1952. Occasionally, mum noted that TV had been good without specifying what she watched.
1953
Mum Continued to Record the Films She Saw but Grandad Did Not Record Any Cinema Trips
In 1953, mum noted seeing a lot of films. Grandad, however, did not record any cinema trips, see Chapter 52. Helpfully, as from 1950-1952, mum kept a list of films she saw that year in her 1953 diary.
Mum Often Went to the Cinema with Friends
As noted from 1950 to 1952, mum often went to the cinema with friends. In 1953, these friends included Betty Longden and Joan Storer. Mum sometimes went to the cinema with a larger group of friends including dad, Betty Longden, Hazel Munns, John Overfield, Ken Roome, Ron Rowe, Joan Storer and Margaret Varnam.
From June 1953, mum and dad started going to the cinema on their own. Based on mum’s diaries, I believe their first date was on 6 June 1953 at the Regent where they saw “The Big Sky“. Sometimes, after this date, they went with Ken Roome and Margaret Varnam who were also a couple.
Which Cinema?
Mum often noted the cinema she went to although she did not always do so. She mostly went to the Regent (41) but she also went to the Star (6). The numbers in brackets denote the number of trips to each cinema mum recorded in 1953.
As far as I know, mum did not go to Kings in Kirkby in 1953 but she did go to King’s in Sutton once. On one occasion, in December 1953, mum and dad tried to go to Kings in Kirkby to see “Titanic” but they were unable to get in.
Mum and Joan Storer went to see a play at the Little Theatre in Guernsey when they were on holiday there in August 1953 and mum saw a play at the Opera House in Blackpool when there for a church weekend in October 1953. Mum and dad also went on a Fordham and Burton trip to the Theatre Royal in September 1953.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum continued to note cast members and what she thought of the films she saw. She used the same scale as she had previously which included NB (not bad), G (good), VG (very good) and VVG (very very good). Sometimes, she wrote her rating in full, e.g. “quite good” or “good“.
Films that mum rated as VVG were “She’s Working Her Way Through College” which mum saw in May 1953, “Gone With the Wind” which she saw in July 1953, “Above and Beyond” which she saw in August 1953, “One Piece Bathing Suit” which she saw in August 1953, Plymouth Adventure” which she saw in September 1953, “Stop You’re Killing Me” which she saw in October 1953. and “Will Any Gentleman?” which she saw in December 1953.
Describing Films
Apart from saying who was in the film and giving a rating, mum did not provide descriptions of any of the films she saw in 1953.
Pantomime and Theatre
In January 1953, mum went with a group including dad, Ron Rowe, Margaret Varnam, Margaret Bostock, Betty Longden, Barbara, Joan Storer, Hazel Munns, Joy Munns, Robert Ollerenshaw and John Overfield to see the ice pantomime “Aladdin“. Mum rated it “good“. It was staged at Nottingham’s Ice Stadium.
When they were holiday in Guernsey, mum and Joan Storer went to see the play “Room for Two” at the Little Theatre. In September 1953, mum and dad went on a trip from Fordham and Burton, where mum had been working, to see “The Desert Song” at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. Mum and dad also saw the film “The Desert Song” at the Regent in December 1953. “Mum also saw “Zip Goes a Million” at the Opera House in Blackpool when she was there for a church weekend in October 1953.
TV
Mum did not note many programmes that she saw on TV. As noted at the end of 1952, perhaps the novelty of having a TV had worn off. This did not necessarily man that she did not watch TV just perhaps that she did not record everything she watched. Programmes mum did note watching included “Re-turn It Up” in May 1953.
Plays mum noted seeing on TV included “Crime and Punishment” in November 1953 and “Follow the Plough” and “The Case of Dr Ambrose” in December 1953. While mum mostly watched the TV at her house, she did watch the last-named play at Ken Roome’s.
Grandad noted watching the Queen’s coronation on TV in June 1953. He noted that the TV was on from 10 am to 11.15 pm with only a 25 minute break. He also noted that 19 people were watching. While mum did not note that it was for the coronation specifically, she did note that her friends, Betty Longden and Joan Storer, came to watch TV that day.
1954
Grandad Noted One TV Play
In 1954, grandad did not note seeing any films at the cinema. However, he did note, on 12 December, that a television play had “caused a lot of comment in the paper“. This was George Orwell’s “1984“. Grandad does not say if he saw the play and mum does not note it in her diary.
One example of the type of articles grandad was referring to appeared in the Daily Herald on 16 December 1954 entitled “Sunday Ban on ‘1984’ Plays?” It quoted former Labour MP Gordon Macdonald who said “if the whole family could not look at a play it was a bad thing for it affected the unity of the family”. Sir Ian Jacob, the BBC Director-General commented that the BBC’s policy on broadcasting such plays on a Sunday was being reconsidered. Apparently, Lord Macdonald was not objecting to the play being broadcast but to it being broadcast on a Sunday. However, other viewers wrote to the Daily Herald referring to the play as “filthy, rotten and immoral” and as “disgusting“.
Mum Continued to Record the Films She Saw
In 1954, mum noted seeing a lot of films. However, unlike her diaries from 1950 to 1953, she did not keep an annual list of the films she had seen. Rather, the International Film Diary, which she was using in 1954, had space for her to note films she saw each week and she used these.
Mum Often Went to the Cinema with Dad
During this period, mum usually went to the cinema with dad. Often, she specified this but even when she did not state it specifically I suspect they went together. Quite frequently, they went with another couple, MArgaret Varnam and Ken Roome.
Occasionally, they were joined by other people. For example, in January 1954, they watched the pantomime “Humpty Dumpty on Ice” on television at Ken Roome’s. They were joined by another couple, Joy Munns and Alan Jones. In February 1954, when they went to see “Cinderella” at the ice stadium, they took Geoffrey Cross and dad’s nephew, Terry Dawn. In September 1954, when they were in Stokesley, Dorothy Lofthouse accompanied mum and dad on at least one trip to the cinema.
Which Cinema?
Mum usually noted the cinema she went to. She went to each of the cinemas in Kirkby at least once during 1954 including Regent (27), Star (9) and Kings (1). The numbers in brackets denote the number of trips to each cinema mum recorded in 1954. Mum also went to the Portland in Sutton twice and once to the Tivoli also in Sutton. She went twice to the Odeon in Nottingham and once to the Elite also in Nottingham.
Mum also went to the cinema while on holiday including to the Wellington Pier and Marina (twice) in Yarmouth, to the Hippodrome and Odeon in Middlesbrough, to the Lyric in Stokesley, to the Empire in Stockton and to the Opera House and Hippodrome in Blackpool, see Chapter 52.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum continued to note cast members and what she thought of the films she saw. She used the same scale as she had previously which included NB (not bad), QG (quite good), G (good), VG (very good) and VVG (very very good). Sometimes, she wrote her rating in full, e.g. “quite good” or “good“. On one occasion, she gave a rating of “quite G“. Mum gave a ranking in her diary entry and also in the list of films she had seen that week. These ratings were not always consistent.
Films that mum rated as VVG were “White Witch Doctor” which mum saw with dad, Margaret Varnam and Ken Roome in January 1954, “Quo Vadis” which mum also saw in January 1954, “Circus Boy” which mum and dad saw in April 1954, “The Million Pound Note” which mum also saw in April 1954 and “The Moon is Blue” and “The Blazing Caravan” both of which mum saw together in November 1954.
Describing Films
Apart from saying who was in the film and giving a rating, mum did not usually provide descriptions of the films she saw. She did note that “The Blazing Caravan“, which she saw in November 1954, was about Scotland Yard.
Quota for British Films
At this time, there was a requirement that cinemas met a minimum quote of British films. The requirement for this was introduced in 1927. The quota initially stood at 7.5% but, by 1935, had risen to 20%. Originally, British films included those shot in British dominions such as Canada and Australia. But, this provision was removed in 1938. The requirement was finally abolished in 1960. One criticism of the legislation was that it promoted “quota quickies“, that is, low budget films made simply to fulfill the quota. In January 1954, a question was asked in Parliament about the film “Royal Symphony“. Mum saw this film in April 1954 and considered it very good.
Pantomime and Theatre
In February 1954, mum and dad went with Margaret Varnam and Ken Roome to see “Cinderella” at the Ice Stadium. They took Geoffrey Cross and dad’s nephew, Terry Dawn.
On holiday in Yarmouth in June 1954, mum and dad saw the musical review “Showtime” and both an adult and children’s talent show. Mum considered the children’s show very good and the adults’ show good. They also went to a circus in Yarmouth. When on a church weekend in Blackpool in October 1954, mum went with a group to a matinee performance of “Love from Judy” at the Opera House.
In January 1954, mum watched “Humpty Dumpty on Ice” on television at Ken Roome’s. In addition to Ken, she watched it with dad, Margaret Varnam, Joy Munns and Alan Jones. It consisted of excerpts from the Empire Pool, Wembley. Mum rated it very good. The following month, mum, dad, Margaret Varnam and Ken Roome watched “Sinbad the Sailor on Ice“. This featured Norman Wisdom and was from the Empress Hall in London. Mum considered it very, very good.
TV
Mum did quite often note watching TV but, more often than not, she did not note what she watched. She sometimes noted what she thought of it, where she watched it and who with.
Plays mum noted seeing on TV included “The Deep Blue Sea” in January 1954, “Queen’s Folly” in February 1954, “Bless This House” and “Caste” in March 1954, “Jeannie“, “Caesar’s Friend” and “No Time for Comedy” in April 1954, “The Man Upstairs” in May 1954, No plays were recorded after May 1954.
In May 1954, mum also watched “The Liberators” which was described as the first part of a four-play cycle called “The Promised Years“. Mum considered it not bad but did not note watching any subsequent plays in the cycle.
1955
Grandad Did Not Record Any Films or Plays
In 1955, grandad did not note seeing any films at the cinema nor any plays on television.
Mum Recorded Fewer Films Than in Previous Years
In 1955, mum recorded seeing fewer films than in previous years and she stopped systematically recording films seen the following year, in February 1956, see Chapter 66. It is difficult to know if she was seeing fewer films or just not recording them but I suspect an element of both. She may have been less interested in films than previously. In 1953 and 1954, she had a film-related diary. But, in 1955, she was using a Pepys Everywoman’s Diary. It may also have been that there were other priorities at that time. Mum and dad’s relationship was more established, dad was studying for exams, see Chapter 72, grandad suffered prolonged periods of ill-health, see Chapter 65, and both mum and dad were very involved in church activities, see Chapter 69.
Mum Often Went to the Cinema with Dad
During this period, mum usually went to the cinema with dad. As in 1954, this was sometimes stated explicitly, However, even when it was not, I suspect it was implied.
Sometimes, particularly when they went to the theatre, they were joined by other people. In June 1955, when they saw “White Horse Inn” on ice at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, they went with members of the concert party they were involved in, Rainbow Follies, see Chapter 69. In August 1955, when they were on holiday in Cornwall, they went to the theatre in Perranporth with Ken and Pearl Hodges, Ken Roome and Margaret Varnam to see “The Importance of Being Earnest“, see Chapter 66. In September 1955, they went with Ken and Pearl Hodges to the Playhouse in Nottingham to see “You and Your Wife“, again see Chapter 66. Finally, in December 1955, they went with grandma, Renie Seville and Sylvia Bust to see the ice pantomime “Dick Whittington” in Nottingham, see Chapter 66.
Which Cinema?
Mum usually noted the cinema she went to. As in previous years, the cinema she visited most was the Regent. She went there five times. She also went twice to the Star and once each to Kings, to the Grand and Granada in Mansfield and to the Elite in Nottingham.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum occasionally noted cast members. She usually recorded what she thought of the films she saw using the same scale she had used previously. This included QG (quite good), VG (very good) and VVG (very very good). When she went to the Playhouse Theatre in Nottingham in September 1955, she described this as “very nice” but she may have been describing the whole evening rather than the play specifically.
In 1955, mum rated three films as VVG. These were “The Gay Dog” which mum and dad saw in February 1955, “Mad About Men” which mum and dad saw in April 1955 and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” which mum and dad saw in November 1955.
Describing Films
As in previous years, apart from saying who was in the film and giving a rating, mum did not usually provide descriptions of the films she saw. She did note that a TV play she saw in January 1955, “The Voices” was set in 2021 and was “a bit farfetched“, see Chapter 64.
Pantomime and Theatre
Mum and dad sometimes went to the theatre in Nottingham. For example, in June 1955, they saw “White Horse Inn” on ice at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. As noted above, they went with members of Rainbow Follies, the concert party they were involved in. Also, in September 1955, they went with Ken and Pearl Hodges to see “You and Your Wife” at the Playhouse in Nottingham. In December 1955, they went to see the ice pantomime “Dick Whittington” in Nottingham.
Mum and dad also sometimes went to the theatre when on holiday. For example, in August 1955, as noted above, mum and dad went to the theatre to see “The Importance of Being Earnest” when they were on holiday in Perranporth. Mum rated this very, very good. When they were in Blackpool, in October, 1955, they went to see “Wedding in Paris” at The Opera House. Mum also rated this very, very good.
TV
Mum recorded watching TV less frequently than she had in previous years. Again, I don’t know if she was watching less TV or just recording it less frequently in her diary. She did sometimes simply note watching TV without mentioning what she had seen.
Plays mum noted seeing on TV included “The Voices” in January 1955, “Whiteoak Chonicles” also in January 1955, “Barnet’s Folly” in February 1955, “The Romantic Young Lady” in July 1955 and “The Confidential Clerk” also in July 1955, These plays are noted in Chapter 64. Mum gave “Barnet’s Folly” one of her highest-ever ratings scoring it VVVG. In July 1955, mum also noted seeing a TV play on the 17th. From BBC records, I believe this was “The Whole Truth“.
1956
Grandad Did Not Record Any Films or Plays
In 1956, grandad did not note seeing any films at the cinema nor any plays on television. He did, however, note seeing the quiz show “The 64,000 Question” on ITV in October 1956, see below. He also noted that mum, dad, grandma and Edna Bust went to the second show at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham in September 1956 and that mum and dad went to the Regent on 29 December 1956. On that latter occasion, dad had to leave early as he was not feeling well. Mum did not record this particular incident. Indeed, her diary is completely blank for the two week period from 17-31 December 1956. From the Notts Free Press archive at Sutton Library, I was able to find out that the film they saw that day was “Reach for the Sky“.
Mum Again Recorded Fewer Films Than in Previous Years
In 1956, mum recorded seeing fewer films than in previous years although it was around the same level as in 1955. She appears to have started keeping a list of films she saw in 1956. However, she only continued this until February and only recorded two films. This is by no means all the films she saw that year. There were others recorded in the body of the diary but mum did not add them to the list.
Mum Often Went to the Cinema with Dad
When mum went to the cinema, she usually went with dad. However, while this was sometimes stated explicitly, this was not always the case. In those other cases, I suspect it was implied.
In April 1956, Marilyn Seville went to the cinema with them. In May 1956, grandad noted that Auntie Bertha, Uncle Frank and Renie came to watch the TV play “Shout Out Salvation” which had been shown previously in 1951, see Chapter 64. In September 1956, mum and dad went with grandma and Edna Bust to see “Dry Rot” at the Theatre Royal.
Which Cinema?
Mum usually noted the cinema she went to. As in previous years, the cinema she visited most was the Regent. She went there five times. She also went twice to Kings and once to the Star, When on their honeymoon in Torquay, mum and dad went to the Odeon in Plymouth, the Savoy in Exmouth and the Regal in Torquay, see Chapter 66.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum occasionally noted cast members. She often recorded what she thought of the films she saw using the same scale she had used previously. This included QG (quite good), VG (very good) VVG (very very good) and VVVG (very very very good).
In 1956, mum did not rate any film higher than VG. She did, however, rate the Babbacombe show, which she went to in June 1956, as VVG.
Describing Films
As in previous years, apart from saying who was in the film and giving a rating, mum did not usually provide descriptions of the films she saw.
Pantomime and Theatre
As in 1955, mum and dad sometimes went to the theatre in Nottingham, particularly to the Theatre Royal including to see “Love Affair” in May 1956, “Lilac Time” in September 1956 and “Dry Rot” also in September 1956. Mum rated “Dry Rot” VVVG.
In addition, mum and dad saw some shows when they were on honeymoon in Torquay in June 1956. These shows included variety shows, such as “Sunshine Follies” and probably “Gaytime“. They also saw a performance of Ivor Novello’s “Kings Rhapsody” by the Torbay Operatic and Dramatic Society. Mum considered this VG.
TV
As in 1955, mum did sometimes simply note watching TV without mentioning what she had seen.
Plays mum noted seeing on TV included “The Corn is Green” in January 1956, “Love in a Mist” also in January 1956 and “Madame Louise” in July 1956. As noted above, grandad noted seeing “Shout Aloud Salvation” in May 1956. These plays are noted in Chapter 64. Mum gave “Love in a Mist” one of her highest-ever ratings scoring it VVVG. Both “Love in a Mist” and “Madame Louise” were part of a series of humorous plays/farces which were presented by Brian Rix from the Whitehall Theatre in London where he was appearing in “Dry Rot“.
ITV
Prior to 1956, the only television service that could be received was from the BBC. However, from February 1956, ITV (then the Independent Television Authority [ITA]) started to broadcast to the Midlands from a transmitter in Lichfield. People needed a convertor in order to receive the signal and, in some cases, needed an additional aerial, see Chapter 64. Grandad used to refer to watching ITV as “looking in to Lichfield“.
In October 1956, grandad noted that a woman from Wolverhampton called Jane Brown won over £3000 in “The 64000 Question“. It was on ITV. Her special subject was Charles Dickens. Apparently, ITV based this show on the US show, “The $64,000 Question“. It ran from 1956 to 1958. Originally, it offered a top prize of 64,000 sixpences (£1,600) but this was doubled to 64,000 shillings (£3,200). The show was revived in the 1990s.
In the 1950s, the level of prizes offered far exceeded anything else on TV at the time. This may explain why it grabbed grandad’s attention. Later, quiz shows imposed prize limits following the quiz show scandals in the United States. These were only lifted in 1993, paving the way for the arrival of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”. A newspaper report noted that Jane Brown’s father had given her a set of Dicken’s works sixty years before. She identified four characters from David Copperfield who were described by host Jerry Desmonde.
1957
Grandad Did Not Record Any Films or Plays
Again, in 1957, grandad did not note seeing any films at the cinema nor any plays on television. He did, however, note that grandma and mum went to a pantomime in Nottingham in January 1957. He also noted that grandma ran mum and dad home after the TV play on 6 October 1957. I believe the play in question was “Rats in the Belfry” and this entry may imply that grandad watched it.
In March 1957, grandad took the radio out of the TV set. He then fixed the ITV convertor in place, presumably where the radio had been.
He noted, on Christmas Day 1957, that the Queen’s speech was televised for the first time, see Chapter 73.
Mum Did Record Some Films Seen
In 1957, mum did record some films she saw during the year but she does not appear to have kept an annual list. Indeed, in this year, mum may have seen as many plays at the theatre as films at the cinema if not more.
Mum Usually Went to the Cinema and Theatre with Dad
When mum went to the cinema and theatre she usually went with dad. However, while this was sometimes stated explicitly, this was not always the case. In those other cases, I suspect it was often implied.
In January 1957, dad was away on a course in Norwich, see Chapter 72. So, mum went with grandma to see the pantomime “Old King Cole“. In February 1957, mum and dad went to the cinema with another couple who were friends of theirs, Ron and Barbara Rowe. In April 1957, mum, possibly with dad, took Sylvia Bust to see “Man of the Moment“, a Norman Wisdom film that mum and dad had seen previously in February 1956. In June 1957, mum and dad went on an outing with Rainbow Follies, the concert party to which they belonged, to see “Alibi” at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, see Chapter 69.
Which Cinema?
Mum sometimes noted the cinema she went to although she did not do this when she and dad went to the cinema in Norwich when she visited him there in January 1957 nor when they twice went to the cinema when on holiday in Guernsey in August 1957. Four out of five trips to the cinema, where mum recorded the cinema’s name, were to the Regent with the other one being to the Portland in Sutton.
Mum’s Rating System
Mum sometimes noted cast members and/or gave the films a rating using the same scale she had used previously. On two occasions, she wrote out in full that the film had been “quite good“. In 1957, mum did not rate any film higher than VG. One noteworthy film that mum did see was the 1938 film “Birth of a Baby“, a documentary promoted by the National Baby Welfare Council.
Describing Films
As in previous years, apart from saying who was in the film and giving a rating, mum did not usually provide descriptions of the films she saw.
Pantomime and Theatre
Mum made quite a few theatre trips in 1957. In January, she and grandma went to see Vic Oliver in the pantomime “Old King Cole“, see Chapter 66. As noted above, dad did not go as he was away on a course in Norwich.
In June and July 1957, mum and dad went four times to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. On the first occasion, they went to see “Alibi” with Rainbow Follies the concert party to which they belonged, see Chapter 69. This play is based on the Agatha Christie book “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd“. The other three plays mum and dad saw were “Bed, Board and Romance“, “Wanted One Body” and “Honeymoon Beds“. All four of these plays were performed by Harry Hanson’s Court Players. Harry Hanson formed his Court Players in Hastings in 1932. Success led to the formation of companies in other towns and cities, including in Nottingham. He died in 1972 at the age of 77. He was described as the last of the “circuit” managers in weekly repertory theatre.
When mum and dad were in Guernsey on holiday, in July and August 1957, they went to the Little Theatre three times to see “Affairs of State“, “Dear Murderer” and “Reluctant Debutante“, Mum rated “The Reluctant Debutante” VVG.
TV
As in previous years, mum did sometimes simply note watching TV without mentioning what she had seen. At this point, I don’t think mum and dad had a TV. So, they mostly watched at grandma and grandad’s although, on one occasion, they did go to Edna and Tom Bust’s.
Mum only noted seeing one play on TV in 1957. That was “The Guinea Pig” in October. Interestingly, that play was shown on ITV as part of their “Play of the Week” feature. This does not mean that mum did not see other TV plays just that she did not record them.
1958
Only Two Cinema/Theatre Trips
In 1958, mum only recorded two trips to the cinema or theatre. That was the year that mum and dad started their family. So mum was pregnant for the first part of the year and, in May, their first child, my sister Patricia (Tricia), was born.
In March 1958, mum noted going to the Portland in Sutton with Sylvia Bust to see a Norman Wisdom film. I assume dad went too. I was able to confirm, from the archive of Notts Free Press at Sutton Library that the film in question was “Just My Luck“.
In June 1958, mum and dad went to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham to see the Agatha Christie play “Murder at the Vicarage“. This was part of the Norwich Union’s 150-year celebrations, presumably of being in Nottingham.
Mum did not rate or otherwise comment on either of these films/plays.
TV
As in previous years, mum did sometimes simply note watching TV without mentioning what she had seen. Up until July, this was mostly at grandma and grandad’s house although she did twice note watching TV at Edna Bust’s. In July 1958, mum and dad got a TV of their own from Fisher’s in Huthwaite.
Football on TV
Neither mum nor grandad noted watching any plays on TV in 1958. However, in May 1958, grandad noted watching part of that year’s FA Cup Final in which Bolton beat Manchester United 2-0.
In June 1958, mum noted watching the World Cup semi-final between Brazil and France which Brazil won 5-2. She watched this at Edna Bust’s.
Radio Broadcast from the Festival Hall
In June 1958, both mum and grandad noted a 90-minute radio broadcast from the Festival Hall in Kirkby. It was broadcast on the BBC Light Programme. Music was provided by the BBC Midland Light Orchestra, the Ransome and Marles Works Band and the Eastwood Colliery Male Voice Choir. Soloists were Doreen Hume and Frederick Harvey.
1959
Six Cinema Trips
In 1959, mum recorded six trips to the cinema or theatre. At this time, mum and dad had a young baby so all these trips involved one or other of my parents going often with someone else.
In June 1959, when mum and dad were visiting Dorothy Lofthouse, mum and Dorothy went to the cinema in Ripon to see “Room at the Top“. In August 1959, when mum and dad were visiting the Cirkets in St Leonards-on-Sea, mum went with Rita Cirket to see “Carry on Nurse“. Mum rated it VVG. Dad was due to go the next day with Rita’s husband Peter but he was unwell so dad went on his own. Earlier that same day, mum went with Rita and her mother-in-law Doris to see “The Shaggy Dog“. In August 1959, mum went to the Portland in Sutton with Carole Holland to see “Life in Emergency Ward Ten“. Mum rated it VG. That same month, dad went on his own to the Regent to see “The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw“.
TV
In January 1959, grandma and grandad ordered a new TV from Fisher’s in Huthwaite. It was a Bush with an in-built radio. It was delivered in February, see Chapter 64. In August 1959, mum and dad moved their TV into their front room.
As in previous years, mum did sometimes simply note watching TV without mentioning what she had seen. However, she only noted this twice in 1959, in May and again in October.
Mum noted two plays on television in 1959, both on ITV. The first, in January 1959, was Agatha Christie’s “Ten Little Niggers“. As noted in Chapter 64, the derogatory n-word is used here because this was the term used by mum and was indeed the UK title of the book by Agatha Christie, although the book was published as “And Then There Were None” in the US. There has been criticism of Amazon for still selling the original title. Mum rated the play VG. The second TV play mum saw was in June 1959 and was entitled “Fly Away Peter“.
In May 1959, mum noted watching “Ward 10” on TV. This refers to Emergency Ward Ten which ITV showed between 1957 and 1967.
Sport on TV
In March 1959, mum noted watching the boat race, presumably on TV. She also noted that Oxford won. As in 1958, in 1959, grandad noted watching part of the FA Cup Final in which Nottingham Forest beat Luton Town 2-1. That year, Luton beat Norwich City in the semi-final, which remains one of Norwich’s best performances in that competition. The 1959 Cup Final also merits a chapter in Jonathan Evans’ book “The Mystery of Ernie Taylor’s Abdomen”.
1960
A Busy Year
1960 was a busy year in the Drew and Parkin households. I was born, mum and dad’s second child, see Chapter 75. We moved from Kirkby to Norwich, selling the house in Kirkby and buying one in Norwich, see Chapter 76. It is therefore perhaps unsurprising that mum and dad were less able to watch films than they had in previous years.
The Ten Commandments
In January 1960, grandma went with Renie and Auntie Bertha to see “The Ten Commandments” at the Granada in Mansfield. A few days later, mum and dad went to see it, see Chapter 81. Mum considered it very good but slow in places. Interestingly, this film was directed by Cecil B DeMille who also directed the film by the same name that grandad had seen in 1925.
Cinderella
In December 1960, both mum and grandad noted that grandma, mum, Tricia and Auntie Bertha went to the pantomime “Cinderella” in Nottingham. Mum noted more details including that it featured Lonnie Donegan and the Three Monarchs. She thought it was very, very good.
TV
Princess Margaret’s Wedding
In May 1960, mum noted watching TV at grandma and grandad’s all day. Grandad noted this too and that the occasion was Princess Margaret’s and Anthony Armstrong-Jones’ wedding, see Chapter 84.
This was the first royal wedding to be televised The wedding took place in Westminster Abbey. Princess Margaret was given away by the Duke of Edinburgh and had eight bridesmaids including Princess Anne. The service was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, see Chapter 86.
Olympics
In September 1960, mum noted watching the Olympics on television, see Chapter 84. The 1960 Olympics were held in Rome and were the first to be broadcast live across Europe.
Gilbert Harding
Another TV-related event that grandad noted was the sudden death of Gilbert Harding. He was known for his involvement in television programmes such as “Twenty Questions” and “What’s my Line?” He collapsed outside Broadcasting House as he was about to get into a taxi. The cause of death was an asthma attack. He was 53 years old.
1961
No films
Neither grandad nor mum recorded seeing any films in 1961.
Pantomime at the Festival Hall
In January 1961, grandad noted that grandma, Florrie Booth, Renie Seville and Renie’s friend, Vera, went to see a pantomime given by the Co-op players at the Festival Hall, see Chapter 81. I do not know any more details.
Films on Sundays?
As noted above, Kirkby had a vote on whether cinemas should show films on Sundays. This took place in March 1961. Grandma and grandad voted against but the vote was overwhelmingly in favour with 1,992 voting “yes” and only 683 voting against.
Bruce Forsyth in Yarmouth
In August 1961, mum and dad went with Barbara and Dennis Sell to Yarmouth to see Bruce Forsyth on the Wellington Pier, see Chapter 81. Mum considered it very good.
At that time, well-known stars were still doing long summer seasons in Yarmouth and mum and dad were more likely to go to the theatre or a show in Yarmouth than in Norwich. That markedly changed over time.
Circus
In October 1961, we went to the circus with Joyce, Janette and Lesley Smith. Dad and I visited the menagerie. We had seen the circus process to Eaton Park a few days earlier, see Chapter 81.
TV
Favourite Programmes
As we have seen, one of the programmes family members watched was Emergency Ward 10. In November 1961, grandad noted that ITV did not show this because of a strike by actors, see Chapter 84.
Part of an Audience
In August 1961, mum and dad went with Angela Keeble to be part of the audience for the TV show “I Packed My Bag“, see Chapter 81. This ran from 1961 to 1963 and was hosted by Kenneth Horne and Anita Prynne. There was also a junior version. The show featured local contestants and there were auditions for these in various places across the region, e.g. in King’s Lynn.
Sport
In April 1961, mum noted that we watched the boat race with Barbara and Sharon Rowe who were visiting us at the time, see Chapter 84. Dad and Ron Rowe had gone to a football match. Mum noted that Cambridge won and that the number six in the Oxford crew had appeared “tired” after about three miles, see Chapter 86.
Other Events
In June 1961, both mum and grandad noted watching the wedding of the Duke of Kent and Katharine Worsley on TV, see Chapter 84. The wedding took place at York Minster. The Duke of Kent was Queen Elizabeth !!’s cousin as he was the son of the younger brother of King George VI, see Chapter 86.
Also, in June 1961, mum noted watching the Trooping of the Colour on TV, see Chapter 84.
1962
No films
Neither grandad nor mum recorded seeing any films in 1962.
Pantomimes
However, in January 1962, grandma went to see a pantomime given by the Co-op players at the Festival Hall as she had done the previous year, see Chapter 81. On this occasion, she went with Jim and Renie Seville.
In March 1962, grandma attended two more pantomimes. On the 9th, she went to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham to see “Goldilocks and the Three Bears“. This was as part of a group of women from Trinity Methodist Church, see Chapter 79. On the 13th, grandma went to another pantomime at the Grand in Mansfield. She went with Doris Cirket, Renie Seville and Renie’s friend Vera. According to grandad, this pantomime was put on by amateurs, see Chapter 81.
Harry Secombe in Yarmouth
In August 1962, mum noted going to see Harry Secombe in “Secombe Here” in Yarmouth, see Chapter 81. Mum noted it as “Here’s Secombe”. Ronnie Corbett was among the supporting acts. She went with Barbara and Dennis Sell, Nancy and John Howe and Rosemary and Peter Howlett.
TV
Sport
In March 1962, mum noted seeing the Grand National on television, see Chapter 86.
In April 1962, both grandad and mum noted seeing the boat race, Grandad noted that it started at 3.45pm and that Cambridge won by five lengths. Tthe race was again attended by Princess Margaret. There was also a fairly sedate “ban the bomb” demonstration, see Chapter 86..
Other Events
Grandad noted that the new Coventry Cathedral had been dedicated in the presence of the queen, see Chapter 79. He noted that it was on television and he saw part of it, see Chapter 84.
As in 1961, mum noted watching the Trooping of the Colour in June 1962, see Chapter 84.
Satellite TV
There were considerable technological advances in the early sixties including the introduction of satellite television. In July 1962, grandma and grandad watched the first live transatlantic broadcast via the Telstar 1 satellite. Grandad noted that this was some 3,000 miles up, see Chapter 84.
1963
One Cinema Trip
In June 1963, while visiting Kirkby, mum noted going to the Portland in Sutton to see Peter Sellers in “The Wrong Arm of the Law“, see Chapter 81.
One Pantomime
In January 1963, mum and Tricia went with Angela Keeble to see the pantomime “Babes in the Wood” at the Jenny Lind Hospital, see Chapter 81. Mum rated it quite good.
An Ice Show
In January 1963, grandma went with the Keebles to an ice show in Norwich, see Chapter 81. I do not have any more details.
TV
Sport on TV
In March 1963, as in previous years, mum noted seeing the boat race on television. She noted that Oxford won, see Chapter 86.
President Kennedy’s Assassination and Funeral
On 22 November 1963, grandad noted that, at about 7.15 or 7.30pm, the news came on the television that President Kennedy had been shot and killed in Dallas, see Chapter 86. This was only about 15 to 30 minutes after the shooting happened. President Kennedy’s funeral was broadcast on 25 November 1963. Grandma and grandad watched part of it, see Chapter 84.
Welcoming 1964
On 31 December 1963, grandad noted that he saw in the New Year watching television.
1964
No Cinema Trips
Neither mum nor grandad recorded any cinema trips in 1964.
One Pantomime
As in January 1963, mum and Tricia went, in January 1964, to see the pantomime at the Jenny Lind Hospital. On this occasion, it was “Dick Whittington” see Chapter 81.
Circus
In April 1964, grandma, mum and dad took Tricia, me and Alan to Chipperfield’s circus.
Broadlands at the Stuart Hall
In November 1964, mum and grandma went with Janet to “hear Broadlands” at the Stuart Hall, which grandad spelled Stewart Hall. Mum had two close friends called Janet at this time, Janet Blythe and Janet Wright. I am not sure which this one refers to.
Initially, I had no idea what Broadlands referred to, perhaps a choir or a piece of music. On balance, I think it may be a reference to the Broadland Singers who were active from 1958 to 1989.
Stuart Hall is a brick building that was added to the partly mediaeval Sucking House in 1925. It has housed Cinema City since 1978 but films were shown there before that. I have some recollections of being a volunteer usher there on one or two occasions when Cinema City first opened, see Chapter 92.
TV
Sport on TV
As in previous years, grandad watched the boat race on TV. Grandad noted that Cambridge won by about 6½ lengths. A video of the race featured Lord Snowdon and swans, see Chapter 86.
ITV Disrupted by Strike
From 30 June 1964 to 7 July 1964, grandad noted that ITV shows were disrupted, that is they were not shown. It turns out that this was because of a strike, see Chapter 84.
Election Results
On 16 October 1964, grandad saw the election results on TV. In this election, Labour won an overall majority with Harold Wilson elected Prime Minister, see Chapter 86.
Opening of Parliament
On 3 November 1964, grandad watched the Queen open the new parliament see Chapter 86.
MAYC Service from Wisbech
Also, in November 1964, mum saw a morning MAYC (Methodist Association of Youth Clubs) service from Wisbech, see Chapter 84,
Seeing in the New Year
As in 1963, grandad noted seeing in the New Year watching television. Grandma joined him when she came in and they watched until closedown at 1am.
1965
Cinema Trips
In June 1965, mum took Tricia, me and Alan to see a film in Norwich. However, I do not have more details. Earlier that month, mum and possibly dad had taken Tricia, me, Alan and Graham Douglas to see “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs“. While I do not know for sure, I think it is more likely that this was a film than a live play or pantomime.
In October 1965, mum and Tricia went with the choir from St Peter’s Park Lane Methodist Church to London to see “The Sound of Music“. I don’t know if this was the live musical, which first appeared in London in 1961, or the film which came out in 1965.
Aladdin
In December 1965, grandma and Auntie Dolly went to see “Aladdin” at the Theatre Royal.
Drayton Silver Band
In April 1965, Ken and Pearl Hodges, who were visiting grandma and grandad went to a concert given by Drayton Silver Band at Drayton village hall.
TV
Sport on TV
Grandad watched a number of sporting events on television including a boxing match between Henry Cooper and Dick Wipperman, the Grand National, the boat race, wrestling, the FA Cup Final and the Epsom Derby.
Winston Churchill’s Funeral
At the end of January 1965, grandad noted watching the state funeral of Winston Churchill which was broadcast from St Paul’s Cathedral.
1966
Cinema Trips
In August 1966, mum and Auntie Dolly took me and Tricia to see “The Sound of Music“. I believe this was the film version and that it was on at the Gaumont. Grandma and Auntie Eva had been to see it at the end of the previous month. Grandma also went to see a film at the Stuart Hall in Norwich in February 1966. This is of interest because Stuart Hall later housed Cinema City, see Chapter 92.
Theatre Trips
In January 1966, mum went with Miss Walker to the Maddermarket Theatre, , see Chapter 92. I don’t know what they saw.
In February 1966, mum took Tricia, me and Alan to see “Peter Pan“. This was a touring production having previously been on at the Scala theatre in London, see Chapter 92.
In March 1966, both mum and grndma went separately to see “My Fair Lady” at the Theatre Royal. Mum went with the Young Wives group and grandma went with the women’s group from Mile Cross Methodist Church, see Chapter 92.
In May 1966, mum went to see “The Pirates of Penzance“. Also, in June 1966, mum went with Janet Blyth to a show in Yarmouth although she did not note what they saw, see Chapter 92.
Drayton Silver Band
In February 1966, dad went to a concert by Drayton Silver Band, see Chapter 92.
TV
Sport on TV
Grandad watched a number of sporting events on television including the Grand National, the boat race, wrestling, part of the FA Cup Final, part of the World Cup Final and boxing between Muhammad Ali and Karl Mildenberger, see Chapter 97.
Opening of Parliament
In April 1966,, grandad watched the Queen open parliament on TV, see Chapter 97.
Opening the Severn Bridge
In September 1966, the Queen opened the Severn Bridge. Grandad watched a TV programme about its construction, see Chapter 96.
1967
Cinema Trips
In March 1967, grandma, Auntie Dolly, Renie, Jim, Tricia and I went to the Gaumont Cinema to see “The Bible”. I presume it was the film “The Bible: In the Beginning”, see Chapter 90. The Gaumont opened in 1932 as the Carlton Cinema. It was rebranded as the Gaumont in 1959 until it closed in 1973. The building was demolished in 2014. The site is now occupied by Pablo Fanque House which provides student accommodation and office space. Pablo Fanque was a circus proprietor who was born as William Darby in Norwich probably in 1810
In June 1967, mum went to a Billy Graham relay at a cinema on Prince of Wales Road, see Chapter 90. This was a relay of a rally in London. The cinema on Prince of Wales Road opened as the Regent in 1923, It was renamed ABC in 1961. It was divided into three cinemas in 1973. It was taken over by Cannon Cinemas in 1986. All cinemas closed in the early 2000s and the Mercy Nightclub opened in 2003. This itself closed in 2018 and there were plans to convert the site to flats.
Theatre Trips
Song of Norway
In January 1967, mum went to the opera “Song of Norway”, see Chapter 92. This is a 1944 operetta that was adapted for film in 1970. She noted that Janet was in it. This was a production by the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society. Mum did not specify which Janet this was, so it could have been Janet Blyth or Janet Wright. However, from the programme, it is clear that it was Janet Blyth.
Arthur Askey in Showtime
In July 1967, grandma and Auntie Eva went to Yarmouth to see Arthur Askey. He was appearing with Val Doonican in “Showtime” at Wellington Pier Pavilion, see Chapter 92.
Drayton Players
In March 1967, grandma went to see a play at Drayton Village Hall, see Chapter 92. I think this performance was by the Drayton Players who put on two plays per year, see Chapter 106. Based on a record of their past performances, the play in question is likely to have been “So Many Children. I have not found details of this.
TV
Sport on TV
Grandad watched a number of sporting events on television including the Grand National, the boat race and part of the FA Cup Final, see Chapter 97.
Return of Francis Chichester
In May 1967, grandma and grandad watched Francis Chichester return from his solo round the world yacht journey, a distance of some 29,000 miles. Grandad noted that thousands of people turned out to see his arrival in Plymouth, see Chapter 97.
Opening of Liverpool’s Roman Catholic Cathedral
Also, in May 1967, grandad noted the opening of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool and watched a recording of it on ITV.
Launching the QEII
In September 1967, grandad watched the Queen launch the new liner the QEII at Clydeside, see Chapter 97.
1968
Cinema Trip
Grandad only recorded one cinema trip in 1968. In August, mum and grandma took Tricia, Alan and me to the cinema in Yarmouth. But, he did not specify which cinema we went to or what we saw.
Theatre Trips
Pantomime
In January 1968, grandma took Alan to see the pantomime “Robin Hood” at the Theatre Royal. Apparently, I went with Sunday School, see Chapter 90, and Tricia went with friends, see Chapter 92. I found an advert and a review in a local press archive.
Opera at the Theatre Royal
In April 1968, grandma and Auntie Dolly went to the opera at Theatre Royal. However, grandad did not note what opera they saw. Based on an advert, it appears that the Sadler Well’s Opera were performing four operas in English between 15 and 20 April 1968. Grandma and Auntie Dolly saw “Die Fledermaus” which was also shown on Thursday (matinee) and Saturday. The other three operas were “La Traviata“, “Rigoletto” and “Marriage of Figaro“. I also came across a report of the first night’s performance of “Die Fledermaus“. This was the performance that grandma and Auntie Dolly went to.
Plays at the Maddermarket Theatre
According to grandad’s diary, grandma went twice to see plays at the Maddermarket in 1968, see Chapter 92. On 20 June, she went with Mrs Douglas to see a play but grandad did not specify what they saw. While it is possible that it was the Somerset Maugham play “Caroline” which was put on by the Norwich Players that month, an advert for that play indicated that it started the next day and ran to the 29th. Possibilities are that grandad made the entry on the wrong date or that the play opened a day earlier than advertised or something else was showing the day before. On balance, the first option seems most likely.
In November 1968, grandma went with Mrs Douglas and Mrs Smith to see “The Wild Duck” by Henrik Ibsen. Initially, they went on the 23rd but discovered they had got the dates wrong! So, they went again on the 30th.
Hobson’s Choice
In October 1968, mum and dad went to see the play “Hobson’s Choice” by Harold Brighouse, see Chapter 92. It was first performed in London in 1916. It has been put on in Norwich on several occasions including in its centenary year 2016. This performance featured three well-known TV actors, Edward Chapman, Alan Rothwell and Helen Cotterill.
Local Theatre
In May 1968, grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Carpenter went to see a production of “The Mikado” in Hoveton. Also, that month, grandma and grandad’s sister, Eva, went to an old time concert hall at Drayton Village Hall, see Chapter 92.
In November 1968, on the same day that they saw “The Wild Duck“ at the Maddermarket, grandma, Mrs Douglas and Mrs Smith went to see “Chase me Comrade”, at Drayton Village Hall. This is a farce by Ray Cooney inspired by the true-life story of Rudolf Nureyev defecting to the West, see Chapter 92.
TV
Sport on TV
Grandad watched a number of sporting events on television including the Grand National, the boat race, the FA Cup Final and the European Cup Final, see Chapter 97.
Return of Alex Rose
In July 1968, grandma and grandad watched Alex Rose return after sailing round the world. Grandad noted that he was welcomed to Portsmouth and Southsea, see Chapter 97.
Apollo 8
In December 1968, grandma, grandad and Auntie Dolly watched Apollo 8 splashdown after successfully orbiting the moon. Grandad described this as a wonderful achievement.
1969
Cinema Trip(s)
Grandad only recorded one, possibly two, cinema trips in 1969. In January, grandma went with her friends Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to see a film which grandad called “The Star”. I think this was probably the 1968 film “Star!” which was a biography of Gertrude Lawrence, starring Julie Andrews, see Chapter 92.
In September 1969, grandad noted that grandma and Auntie Dolly went to see “Swan Lake” at the Assembly Rooms, see Chapter 92.. I suspect this was a Russian-made film by that name. There was a cinema at the Assembly Rooms called the Noverre. It opened in 1950 and closed in 1992. I recall going there but not often.
Theatre Trips
In 1969, grandma, in particular, went to the theatre quite frequently, often with her friends Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas.
Pantomime
In January 1969, a number of people went to see the pantomime “Sleeping Beauty” at the Theatre Royal, see Chapter 92. Those who went included dad, Alan, Caroline Douglas, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas. Grandad also nopted that E went. I am not sure if, in this context, this refers to grandma or my sister Liz (Elizabeth) or both of them.
Other Performances at the Theatre Royal
Based on grandad’s diary, in addition to the pantomime, grandma went six times to the Theatre Royal to see various performances, see Chapter 92. In February, she went with Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to see “Kismet“. The following month, in March 1969, the three of them went to see “No, No, Nanette“. Then, the next month, in April 1969, grandma and Mrs Smith went with mum, Tricia and Auntie Dolly went to see something that grandad called “The Russian Dances“. I am not entirely sure what this was.
Later that year, in May, grandma went to the Theatre Royal twice. First, she went with Mrs Smith to see the Rossini opera “Italian Girl in Algiers“. A few days later, the two of them went with Barbara Carpenter and Auntie Eva to see the musical “The Boy Friend“. Finally, in July 1969, grandad noted that grandma and Mrs Smith went to see a play at the Theatre Royal but he did not say what it was.
Plays at the Maddermarket Theatre
Also, in 1969, grandad’s diaries noted that grandma went six times to see plays at the Maddermarket, see Chapter 92. In February 1969, she went to see the Norwich Players production of “War and Peace“. The following month, in March, she went with Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to see a play which grandad called “The Farmer’s Wife“. I think this was another Norwich Players’ production of what they called “The Country Wife” but I am not exactly sure what this play was. In April, she went with Mrs Smith and Auntie Dolly to see the play by Samuel and Bella Spewack called “My Three Angels“.
Two months later, in June, grandma went with Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to see two plays. According to grandad, they appear to have been “The Night Bell” and either “The Real” or “The Deal” but I have not found details of any of these. The month after that, in July, grandma and Mrs Smith went to see a play which grandad called “Let’s Have a Divorce“. I think this was the Norwich Players’ performance of “Let’s Get a Divorce“. Finally, in September, grandma went to Maddermarket with Mrs Smith and Barbara Carpenter. Grandad noted they went to see “Romeo and Juliet” but Norwich Players’ records suggest it was the spoof “Romanoff and Juliet“.
Local Theatre
During 1969, grandma went to at least two local theatre productions, see Chapter 92. In March, she went with Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to Drayton Village Hall possibly to see the Drayton Players’ production of “Tell Tale Murder“. A month later, in April, she went to see a play at RAF Coltishall but grandad did not specify what this was.
Other Live Performances/Productions
In June 1969, dad took Alan and two friends to the circus in Yarmouth, see Chapter 92, presumably for his birthday. That same month, grandma went to see a performance by the Drayton Band at St Andrew’s Hall.
TV
Sport on TV
In March 1969, grandma and grandad watched, the Grand National, see Chapter 97. Grandad noted that this was won by Highland Wedding. He also usually watched wrestling on TV on a Saturday afternoon so sometimes remarked when he did not, for example in January 1969.
Miss World
Grandad noted that, in November 1969, he and grandma watched the Miss World competitton which was won by Miss Austria, see Chapter 96.
Romper Room
On three days in June 1969, grandad noted that my younger sister Liz (Elizabeth) appeared on TV. From memory and based on what programme was on when, I believe this was when she was in Anglia TV’s “Romper Room“, see Chapter 96.
Religious Services
Grandad sometimes noted watching religious services on television, see Chapter 90. For example, in November 1969, he watched the remembrance service from the Cenotaph in London. The following month, on Christmas Eve, he watched a midnight service from St Martin-in-the-Fields.
News and Current Affairs
Grandad followed news and current affairs on television, see Chapter 97. For example, at the end of January, he noted that the late news reported that the Post Office dispute had been resolved. At the end of March, he noted watching the funeral of former President General Eisenhower. A few months later, at the beginning of July, he noted watching the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. Also that month, he noted the landing of American astronauts on the moon. He also noted the take-off and splashdown of that and other Apollo missions.
