Go to the Movies!

Do you miss going to the cinema? As we're not able to go out to see films at the moment, let's celebrate Doncaster's cinema history - and look forward to its future.

Going to the cinema was an incredibly popular pastime for the people of Doncaster from the 'golden age' of cinema in the 1930s, up to the time of the big multiplex cinemas in the 1980s and 90s. The picture on the left shows the Gaumont cinema in 1960, at the top of Hallgate in the town centre, which later became the Odeon (see below). Image: Heritage Doncaster

It is usual nowadays for a town to have one or two multiplex cinemas, but in the heyday of cinema-going in Doncaster, you could watch a film at a picture house in Balby, Bentley, Bawtry and Denaby. In fact, there have been more than 30 cinemas in different areas of Doncaster

throughout the years. Image: Unknown author, CC License, cinematreasures.org

History | Health | Happiness A Lost Treasure

The front of the original Gaumont building had a specially designed stone 'freize' - a long horizontal band of carved stone. The freize shows the process of making a film - from script writing through to filming. Images: Heritage Doncaster The frieze was covered up with a new aluminium frontage in 1968 and when the Odeon was knocked down in 2009, the frieze mysteriously went missing. It has since been recovered, cleaned and is now on display in Sir Nigel Gresley square outside the new museum and library.

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Why not take a few minutes to imagine your favourite things about a trip to the cinema? Use this as a 'mindful moment' of relaxation. Think about...

The tasty smell of the popcorn in the foyer The ice-cold fizz of a soft drink The hush as you walk into the screen The anticipation before the film starts The excitement of a great movie Movie Night!

Having your own household movie night is a great way to pass a lockdown evening. But what film to choose? Perhaps a family favourite? Or maybe you would like to explore some cinema classics from the past?

Younger members of your household might enjoy making tickets for everyone and even making a poster to advertise the film!

Knowledge Check Look online to find out when these different cinema technologies were introduced: Sound Colour 3D Digital Projection

Image: Saturday Morning Junior Club at the Gaumont Did you Heritage Doncaster know? There used to be an 'intermission', or break, half way through a film, where the film was stopped to allow people to get more refreshments. Cinema staff called usherettes would come into the screen with trays of ice- cream, sweets and drinks for people to buy! The picture below shows usherettes at the famous Leicester Square Cinema in London. Image: James Jarche, Science Museum Group Movie Quiz!

Q.1 Q.6 Who is the voice of Woody in the Who is this classic Toy Story films? movie icon?

Image: Bert Parry Q.2 Name two actors who have played James Bond Q.7 Which film franchise features the Q.3 Barden Bellas? What is the name of Jack Sparrow's ship in the Pirates of Q.8 the Caribbean films? What is Tom Cruise's call sign (and character name) in Top Q.4 Gun? Which Disney Princess will you find in Beauty and the Beast? Ariel Q.9 Belle Who directed the films Jasmine Jaws, Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan? Q.5 Which actor played the genie in Q.10 the most recent Aladdin movie? Which actress plays Wonder Woman in the recent DC Comics movies? Zoe Saldana Margot Robbie

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