ABC Minors

Odeon (1937-1994)

Did your love for the cinema begin with your first "ABC Minors Matinee"? How many birthday cards did you receive from "J. Arthur Rank and ABC Cinemas"?

 Those were the days when going to the pictures was more than watching one film and going home, as we do today. When the experience was something you would look forward to all week and cherish as a memory for even longer.

No matter how you gained entrance, paid your 1d.; handed over your jam jar; or was let in by a friend at the backdoor ~ the entertainment was fun and wholesome.

 It was quite an occasion when you celebrated your birthday,  been called up on stage, were hundred of "happy" children were encouraged to sing happy birthday to you. While everyone was in full voice the bouncing ball providing encouragement for you to add your voice to the tune of Blaze Away.

 When the community singing was over,  the lights were dimmed, there followed a selection of films including short comedies with Laurel and Hardy or The Bowery Boys. There were cartoons, a serial that ended with a cliffhanger each week (leaving everyone eagerly awaiting the next episode) and a full-length feature film. Tarzan, Old Mother Riley and an abundance of cowboy and Indian films were frequently shown, and the exuberance of the children was loud and deafening, but everyone had a wonderful time.

So "lets go to the pictures!", down Warrington way. 

http://www.warrington-past-present.cwc.net/cinema.htm