Hidden Lives

HL4.1 The Picturedrome Film Posters

• The Picturedrome Theatre opened on 15th January 1923.• It was then known as ‘Palmer’s Picturedrome’ after the owner.• This is the advert that the theatre ran in The Citizen.• It was typical of early newspaper adverts.

• In November 1943, the Picturedrome used a graphic illustration on its advert for the first time.

Other graphics followed – despite there being a shortage of printing ink because of the war.

• For a time, the theatre was forced to return to its simple banner advert. • However it did change its logo.

• However as the Allies gained the upper hand in the war, more ink became available, so the theatre could resume using graphics – including pictures.

• At this time, many films were propaganda films.• Famous name big stars always helped sell seats!

• In April 1945, the theatre changed its name to ‘Picturedrome ABC’ and used a new logo.•This remained the most popular form of advert until the theatre closed in March 1962.