Huge thanks to Keith Hanmer for this brilliant slice of Stone’s history. It’s a programme from December 1938 for the Picture House cinema in Stone.
Keith found it in his house and shared via the Little Bit of Stone Facebook page.
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According to the Cinema Treasures website, the Picture House opened in 1934 and operated from the old town hall in the High Street. It closed in 1980. There’s a great photo of the cinema on the Cinema Treasures site – worth a look!
Do you have any more information about The Picture House? Perhaps you’ve seen films there? Please share your memories by emailing history@alittlebitofstone.com or leaving a comment below. Thanks
12 comments
James Green
Hello Everyone, I took over Stone Cinema in November 1971 and ran it until I closed it in 1979. It opened on Monday 5th May 1911 and was operated by The Stone Cinema Co. Ltd, one of the directors was a Mr Haddon. I aquired it from Les. Castree, in the paybox was Ina Plant, there were two projectionists, Keith Love and Frank Warrilow. The hall, built by public subscription opened in the late 1800s, it had a 22ft deep stage and 6 dressing rooms. When I was there it was used bi-yearly to house Stone Gang Show, and several events during Stone Festival Week. It was council owned, and at the end of my lease I was prepared to buy it from the council, but all they could think of was to tear it down and put shops in its place, and thats what happened. What a loss to the town, you dont know what you have till you have lost it, and that was an amenity for the town which will never be replaced.
Josh Ashfield
Hi James, I realise you commented this 5 years ago and you very well may not see this, but I’ve been trying to work out the town history of Stone for a project I’m working on and I was wondering what the address was and whether you knew what built in its place? I’m aware that shops were built (having walked down the high street) but I was wondering which? Thank you so much
Sean Galloghly
Hi James – are you still local in Stone? We are in the process of opening a new theatre and cinema in Stone at the Crown Wharf site and would love to get your views on it as well as some memories about the old cinema?
Dennis O'Grady
When I was manager of the Focus Cinema in Longton. In the early 60s, I helped the projectionist/ manager Brian Mellor at the old Stone cinema with the Board of Trade Films Quota Books. He also worked on a farm near Meaford Power Station. Does anyone know if Brian is still around as I haven’t seen or heard of him or his wife Rose for years.
Andrew Brade
I remember the Picture House for its very uncomfortable seats. I also recall that when you went in, the usherette would tear your ticket in half. She’d keep half and give you half back. One day I asked her why she did this – she said that in the event of a thunderstorm they’d have to stop the show and you’d get your money back. I was never there in a thunderstorm so I’ve no idea whether it’s true. I also remember the “Safety Curtain” and the advertisements from Pearl and Dean…
julie allsopp(nee Fenton)
Hello all, I only ever went to Stone cinema once…and I’m sure it was to see Herbie!
Lana Bellinger
Great memories of Stone Picture House! Our parents took our family to see Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs when we first arrived in Stone in 1957. That was the first time we ever went there. In later years it was where boyfriends took you and Saturday matinees were a favourite meeting place for all our peers. Such innocent days! The couple who ran it had strict rules and didn’t stand for any nonsense and people often got thrown out for bad behaviour. My sister Sandy and I once walked in and the film had already started and we were amused when a couple on the screen shouted “get out” just as we were entering. God old days. Lana Bellinger. (nee Gimbert
Pete Brassington
I remember the Picture House very well. I used to go on a saturday morning for the kids show with mates, to watch whatever was showing as it was as it was always a different show as to what was the film of the week. The movies would change weekly usually on a Thursday I think unless the takings were bad in which case it would change earlier. The lady in the ticket office on a Saturday morning show would randomly hand out a free tickets for the following Saturday. That was better than paying 2/6. If there were any announcements to be made, the manager would come onto the stage in front of the screen in dressed in black tie no less ! I remember him coming on to the stage just before the showing of Saturday Night Fever, to request that there be be no dancing in the aisles or standing on the seats as this might impinge the view of the audience behind you and also to those in balcony please no dancing or standing as this might cause the premature collapse of said balcony! I also remember the seats which after sitting in them for 30 minutes you had to move to bring back the circulation to your legs,very different to the seats nowadays which today are too comfy for me and I tend to nod off.. also my old piano teacher, Mrs Piggot, used to play the organ there in the days of silent movies ! Now I feel old lol
Lana Bellinger
Where in the world are you now Pete. I seem to remember that you and Thelma moved to Australia. I was Lana Gimbert
Lana Bellinger
Where are you now Pete. I seem to think that you and Thelma lived in Australia. I was Lana Gimbert. ( now Bellinger. )
Jamie Summerfield
Hi Pete. Wonderful memories – thank you for sharing
Steve Howe
I like the ‘Picture House’ font. Looks like ‘Vasari NF’!