Updated December 29, 2008 8:27 PM

Photo courtesy of Ron Knott

If anyone wishes a close up of any section please email and I will place here, like below

I used to go to the "Atlas" later called the "Ritz" there was no way you could get behind the screen to see the pictures. However my mother born 1902, used to tell me about a picture house on Bradshawgate called "The World on Wings" it was where the arcade used to be, now the entrance to Crompton's place. She said they used to go behind the screen there for half price. They would sit on wooden forms with their backs to the screen holding a mirror up in front of them, this way they could read the subtitles, the films in those days being silent. Brian Grundy Class of 1943

CH039

1958 - Cyril A Winters ????

The congregation on the march, in the background many people will recognise the Ritz cinema on Fletcher St in the background. circa 1960.

RITZ / NEW ATLAS / ATLAS PICTURE THEATRE Fletcher Street Opened 2nd February 1914. Prop., F. E. Spring. Mgr. Jas. Scott. Cap. 1,000. 1930: revamp., reseating and WE sound – New Atlas. Renamed Ritz 1937. By 1941 - 750 seats. Continuous. Prices 3d. to 6d. Phone Bolton 1300. Closed 1960.

I cannot confirm your comments about sitting behind the screen at the Ritz, but I know it did happen in at least one other cinema - one in Silverwell St Bolton, the name of which escapes me, as my uncle who was born in 1906 told me he used to go there. As a boy the price of admission was an empty jam jar and of course you saw everything backwards! I suspect that if the Ritz operated a similar scheme, he would have gone there as he lived within 500 yards of it Hindle Gregory Class of 1952