The war years

When war was declared on Sunday 3 September 1939, all cinemas were immediately closed as a safety precaution. But most were back in business within a week as the authorities realised that the nation needed entertainment to keep up its spirits.

After bombing began, programmes were interrupted by managers appearing on stage to announce air raid warnings, but most patrons preferred to remain in their seats. Eventually a slide was flashed on the screen over the film without interrupting the performance.

Cinemas came to be regarded as safe havens against all but a direct hit and patrons were usually clustered under the balcony for maximum protection. Basement cinemas like the Ritz Leicester Square were also particularly popular. A shortage of projectionists due to the call-up resulted in many women being trained to work in the 'box'.

In areas of heavy bombing, attendances were decimated for a while; but cinemas generally enjoyed a huge boom in attendances from 1941 onwards, many receiving additional patronage from servicemen stationed in their area. Audiences flocked particularly to morale-boosting films with a war theme, such as 49th Parallel (d. Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger, 1941), and to Hollywood escapism in Technicolor.