Grand Theatre Is All Ears For History

Join guest speaker Sue Arthur MA as she takes you through a fascinating historical journey of cinema and society at the seaside on Wednesday 21st March in the Lawrence House Studio at 2.30pm. In 1929 The Times said: 'the talkie is an unsuitable marriage of two dramatic forms. We cannot believe it will endure.' The public and the cinema exhibitors had different ideas. By the end of that year, 980 British cinemas had converted to sound.

At the end of 1930, 63% of British cinemas had installed sound equipment - more than 2,500 cinemas, but Blackpool was ahead of the rest - converting 100% of its cinemas by July 1930.

As the premiere entertainment resort in the country, Blackpool was at the forefront of every innovation in entertainment. The phenomenon of the talkie swept the resort, threatening live entertainment as theatres were given over to film.

To add to the excitement of 'all singing, all dancing' American musicals being shown in the resort, the first British musical was filmed in Blackpool in 1930. Starring and directed by stage comedian Lupino Lane, No Lady would pave the way for Blackpool's star turn as the location for Gracie Fields' 1934 film Sing As We Go.

This talk will appeal to all those interested in Blackpool's rich entertainment heritage, to cinema enthusiasts and to those who remember a pre-war Blackpool packed with holiday makers in search of amusement.

Sue Arthur is a postgraduate research student at the University of Central Lancashire, studying the entertainment history of Blackpool in the 1930s. Sue is also the Company Secretary of the Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

The Blackpool Goes All Talkie public lecture will take place on Wednesday 21st March in the Lawrence House Studio at 2.30pm at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. All seats just £2.

Matcham's Bar will be open afterwards for tea, biscuits and more discussion! -- www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk