Cinema

Today I took my boys to the cinema, it was Oliver's first trip to the cinema so a bit special in that respect.

In Bournemouth there are two cinemas, the ABC and Odeon, situated on the same road, right opposite Bournemouth Pavilion. The Odeon opened as a Regent cinema back in 1929 and the ABC in 1937, then called the Westover Super Cinema. The ABC screened a World Film Premiere in 1951 of "Happy Go Lovely", and now hosts three auditoriums one of which is the largest in the area and capable of screening 70mm epics.

As a child I have memories of my mum and dad taking me to see Star Wars Empire Strikes Back and mum taking my brother and I to see Return of the Jedi and Santa Claus the Movie to name but a couple. This was when there was only one film shown at a time and only the choice of an afternoon matinee or evening showing. A trip to the cinema was a big deal. There were no online ticket sales, a cinema trip meant get there early and queue outside to buy a ticket. It was also only something that happened maybe a couple of times a year, as a treat.

There was talk of the cinemas moving to a different site. I hope that doesn't happen, but I am glad that I have managed to take the boys somewhere that holds fond memories for me from my own childhood.

Anyway, here's a shot of the cinema sign on the outside of the ABC.