Edit The Great Picture Houses
At one time there were 130 picture houses in Glasgow, more per head than anywhere outside the US.
The first purpose built hall
was the Electric Theatre in Sauchiehall Street in 1910.
Others followed fast. The giant ABC chain began in Glasgow.
It owned the Regal on the site of a former ice-skating rink, Hengler's Circus and the Waldorf Palais de Danse.
In the 1950s, the Gaumont showed The Ten Commandments for four months, South Pacific for 18 months, and The Sound Of Music for a record breaking two and a half years.
But tastes changed. The Rex in Riddrie was demolished in 1973, the Mayfair in 1972.
The Princes in Springburn changed to bingo in 1967. The Olympia in Bridgeton closed in 1974 and applied for a bingo licence. The Parade in Dennistoun switched to bingo then back to family films, but failed to survive.
The first purpose built hall
was the Electric Theatre in Sauchiehall Street in 1910.
Others followed fast. The giant ABC chain began in Glasgow.
It owned the Regal on the site of a former ice-skating rink, Hengler's Circus and the Waldorf Palais de Danse.
In the 1950s, the Gaumont showed The Ten Commandments for four months, South Pacific for 18 months, and The Sound Of Music for a record breaking two and a half years.
But tastes changed. The Rex in Riddrie was demolished in 1973, the Mayfair in 1972.
The Princes in Springburn changed to bingo in 1967. The Olympia in Bridgeton closed in 1974 and applied for a bingo licence. The Parade in Dennistoun switched to bingo then back to family films, but failed to survive.
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