Recently uploaded by the British Newspaper Archive, these articles show how town and gown took to the new technology of moving pictures.
Above – from the British Newspaper Archive.
“The increased activity in the moving picture world is very marked in Cambridge just now. the pictures are just as popular with the undergraduates as with the townspeople. These gentlemen are extremely critical, but up to the present their behaviour at the picture theatres has been decidedly more orderly than at the music halls and legitimate theatres. The Electric Theatre, Market Hill, is one of the most popular halls in the town, and is under the direct supervision of the managing director, Mr. A. P. Jordan, whose novel and enterprising ideas of advertising have become a special feature.
“A continuous show from 3 till 10.30pm is packed every day, and such films as “A Beast at Bay,” “One-round O’Brien,” “A Son of Mars,” ” Pickwick’s Predicament,” and ” Relief of Lucknow ” have proved extremely attractive.
“Special musical items are occasionally added to the program, and last week Mr. H. Collins, the Well-known King’s College Chapel tenor, sang patriotic songs on Trafalgar Day. Mr. Lander’s playing to the pictures both on piano and organ is much appreciated.
“Two Pathe projectors are installed and the operators are Mr. J. Sandy and Mr. W. Jordan, who often take interesting local topicals. The Rink Cinema in Chesterton takes an exclusive every week, and a novel feature here is an inclusive ticket admitting patrons to pictures and rinking. The manager is Mr. S. Andrews and the pianist Mr. Lewis Lloyd, who is also a fine singer and gives illustrated songs. Two houses nightly is the rule here.
“The Alexandra Hall and Picture Palace are run by Mr. E Hawkins, and cater for the working class, who nightly fill each hall. Children’s matinees on Saturdays are a special feature, and cowboy and exciting dramas are the topliners. The Empire, Mill Road, is another of Mr. Hawkins’ halls, and variety is included in the program. The Hippodrome has just opened in Auckland Road and includes pictures and variety. ”
Sales keep up during December 1912
As this clip shows.
Interestingly we also see the emergency of the French film company Société Pathé Frères, which set up shop in London a few years after launching their newsreel service in Paris. The advertisement below is from the large army manoeuvres in East Anglia – with King George V setting up his headquarters at Cambridge.
This was the first time the people of Cambridge got to see an airship.
Above – the Army Airship Beta 11 at Jesus College, reproduced by the Cambridge Daily News in 1936, from the Cambridgeshire Collection’s Newspaper Archive.
Lost Cambridge 