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Cinema programmes and films, 1940s and 1950s UKs

This page is about cinema programmes and films in the 1940s and 50s when home televisions were rare or non-existent, and watching films at cinemas was extremely exciting. The page includes the standard programme format of a main film, second feature, news and trailers; publicity; the film censors' film certifications of U, A and X; and how children managed to get in to see A certificate films illegally.

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By the webmaster: her early recollections with further research and contributions from others who lived at the time

The format of a standard programme

There was always a main film and what was termed a second feature, along with trailers for future films and a newsreel. This was the contents of 'the programme', and it was shown on a rolling basis. I knew of two, the afternoon showing and the early evening one, but I understand there was a third which went on into the late evening.

Sample programme from an old cinema confirming the programme structure described above
Item 1.'God Save the King' means the National Anthem

A few films were in colour, which added to their attraction, but most films that I remember from my 1940s and 50s childhood where in black and white.

Publicity for forthcoming programmes

Everyone always knew what programme would be showing at the local cinema even though there was no internet to access. There was no shortage of billboards outside cinemas and posters outside newsagents. I understand that the newsagents got complimentary entry tickets in payment.

Billboard advertising several films from the 1940s. Photographed in Milestones Museum, Basingstoke.

Programme timings

Although the times of the film showings were advertised, my mother never seemed to take any notice of the starting times, and - judging by how often we had to stand to let newcomers along the rows - she was not alone in this. It was quite normal for us to arrive in the middle of a film and 'see it round' in the next sequence and hence put together the story line afterwards. I suppose that the enjoyment of the event was in seeing people moving around on a large screen. Television in the home didn't arrive until the 1950s, primarily for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, and then by no means for everyone.

Late arrivals were actually very disruptive as everyone in their line of seats had to stand and push their seats up to let the latecomers pass - even in the middle of the films.

As cinemas were always dark during performances, anyone who arrived while a film was running would be directed to their seats by usherettes with torches.

Film ratings: U, A and X

Films were rated formally and informally, and the definitions of what the ratings were and who could see what rating changed over the years. This page is about what I experienced growing up in the 1940s and 50s.

In the 1940s and 1950s I remember three formal ratings categories for films, U, A, and X, but there was also the informal B rating for the second feature which was perceived as the poorer of the two films.

The rating certificate for a film was always displayed at its start.

Censor certificate showing the rating certificate for a film - always displayed at it start

U rated films

There were no age restrictions for admission to U rated films. This meant that children were allowed in unaccompanied by an adult. All the films shown in Saturday Morning Pictures were U rated.

A rated films

A rated films were designed for adult viewing and children under 12 were only admitted if accompanied by an adult.

X rated films

X rated films were for adults only and were either horror or sexually explicit. I never saw any. Later, I understand, horror films were given their own H rating.

Interruptions to the programme: broken films

The film was stored on large reels and during projection it wound from a full reel to an empty one. Not infrequently the film broke. There was a whirring sound, the screen went messy and then black. After perhaps half a minute, the film started again, the projectionist having spliced the film back together.

Can of cinema film showing its size against a ruler

On-screen messages

Sometimes the flow of the film was interrupted by a handwritten message superimposed on the screen. Presumably someone had come in from outside needing to contact a customer urgently.

The message usually just asked a particular person to come to Reception. It happened to me the day my father died in 1971, which was the last time I ever went to the Edgware Ritz.

The national anthem

At the end of the late evening programme, the organ played the National Anthem. I am told that something appropriate like the Union Jack or the royal family was shown on the screen at the same time. Everyone - well, almost everyone - stood for the National Anthem. Occasionally a few people made a beeline for the exit before the National Anthem started, but everyone else glared at them. I don't suppose they noticed.

If you can add anything to this page or provide a photo, I would be pleased if you would contact me.

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