Kingsway Picture House

Situated in Hoylake, a seaside resort on the Wirral, the Kingsway Picture House opened on Saturday 10th July 1915 with the “Great historical picture”, “Jane Shore”, starring Blanche Forsythe and Roy Travers. The proceeds from the opening performance were divided between the local Red Cross Society, the Children’s Convalescent Home and the Cottage Hospital. Edwin J. Stuart was the manager.

‘Talkies’ arrived on 28th April 1930 with “The Rainbow Men”, starring Frankie Darro. Kalee 8 projectors were used in conjunction with BTH [British Thomson Houston] sound.

In January 1935 the Kingsway Picture House closed for modernisation. Among other works, the stage was moved back, providing more stalls seating, and the circle was also extended. This increased the seating capacity from 900 to 1,100. The proscenium was 48ft wide.

The Kingsway Cinema re-opened on Monday 22nd April 1935 with “The Last Gentleman”, starring George Arliss.

On Monday 11th October 1954 the Kingsway Cinema became, reputedly, the first cinema on the Wirral to present CinemaScope, with the biblical epic “The Robe”. A new ‘Miracle Mirror’ screen had been installed, together with Kalee 20 projectors, and the front seats had been “altered” (removed, presumably, as the seating capacity was reduced to 1,000) to improve sightlines.

Unfortunately, the inevitable beckoned, and the Kingsway Cinema closed on Saturday 12th March 1960 with “Blue Jeans”, starring Carol Lynley and Brandon de Wilde.

The building was demolished a few months later to make way for a supermarket and three shops.

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