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What was the first film you ever saw in a cinema?

(130 Posts)
LadyHonoriaDedlock Sat 28-Jan-23 16:08:10

Mine was Summer Holiday, with Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Ron Moody, Una Stubbs and others, at the Plaza in Birkenhead. I find this is the case with many of my age (not the Plaza necessarily) simply because the whole premise of travelling to Greece on a converted London double-decker at a time when cheap package holidays to the Med weren't yet a thing was such a welcome relief after that long, bitter winter of 62/63.

When I did my Masters in TV/Film Studies (yes, deal with it!) a couple of years as a mature student one of the younger ones asked if that was where the song came from. The song Summer Holiday seems to have been a potent icon right down the generations.

Palmtree Tue 31-Jan-23 16:03:31

One Million Years BC with Racquel Welch was one of the first films I remember seeing. I was pretty young at the time (1960s) and found it absolutely terrifying ....think it was the flying dinosaurs (sorry cant remember correct name for them, begins with P)smile

mrswoo Tue 31-Jan-23 15:34:58

I remember my mother taking my sister and I to the Futurist cinema in Birmingham. I don't remember what the film was but I have a very clear memory of going to the cafe afterwards and being allowed to have a fizzy drink. It was 7Up and I, probably aged about 7, felt very grown up as it was considered a real treat.

lilydily9 Tue 31-Jan-23 12:11:01

'A Town Like Alice'. I can't remember how old I was, but very young. The little boy who died from a snake bite stayed with me for a long time. But I did always have a soft spot for Peter Finch!

midgey Tue 31-Jan-23 12:05:49

My mother took my brother and I to see the film of the coronation, I have no recollection of the film but remember having plush nuggets! I would have been about five.

PinkCosmos Tue 31-Jan-23 11:49:16

I remember my grandma taking me to see Help (The Beatles film) when I was about six.

Also, Mary Poppins. I loved the bit where she poured out the medicine and it was a different colour on each spoon. Also, clicking her fingers to tidy up. I wish I could do that!

Alioop Tue 31-Jan-23 11:40:23

Pinocchio and I was in tears when he went in the whale's mouth while looking for his father. My mum was so embarrassed and had to take me out of the cinema.

MiniMoon Tue 31-Jan-23 09:38:23

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My Dad took me (I don't remember it at all). Apparently I was so scared by the wicked witch that he had to take me out half way through.
The first film I remember being allowed to go to see with my sister was Summer Holiday. We were old enough to take the bus by ourselves.

Kim19 Tue 31-Jan-23 08:40:59

Snow White with my lovely and indulgent Mum. Think I was about 5.

Zoejory Tue 31-Jan-23 00:05:38

Zulu when I was about 3. Unusual parents.

Chestnut Tue 31-Jan-23 00:00:09

I think The Wizard of Oz is pretty scary for young children, with the green-faced witch and flying monkeys. My grandchildren have never seen it (11,9,7). The boys won't want to see it I'm sure, but but maybe the girl might.

What a fantastic film Fantasia was because there was something for everyone, and it gave children a brilliant introduction to classical music. Although there were two dark sequences. Night on Bald Mountain really scared me, when the demon came out of the mountain and all the graves opened up. I always saw him as the Devil from then on. Then I cried during the Rite of Spring when the dinosaurs perished in the desert, just bones and carcasses left. Their suffering was so palpable, it made me so sad, more than Bambi's mother even.

Mazgg Mon 30-Jan-23 10:51:34

By The Light Of The Silvery Moon. I remember my friend and I crossing hands and pretending to skate on the way home.
This was at the Saturday matinee at our local cinema. I think I was about 11 or 12 at the time. I seem to remember it cost a shilling to go upstairs in the 'posh' seats.
I also remember around the same time my friend's Grandad took us to see Lilacs in the Spring at the Coliseum in Morpeth.

Franbern Mon 30-Jan-23 08:58:31

I was pretty young (about 6) when Mum and Dad took me to see The Wizard of Oz. All was fine until the flying monkeys, when I statted to cry very loudly as they frightened me. My Dad was so angry with me and Mum had to take me out to the foyer for me to calm down. About a year later my Dad also took me to see Easter Parade when my Mum was in hospital. I did not understand it, totally bored, but was so thrilled at being there with my Dad, I just sat quietly.

By that time I was also going to Saturday morning cinema most week.s

Mamardoit Mon 30-Jan-23 08:44:14

I don't remember Bambi but I was told I was taken to see it and I cried. Our local cinema closed and I was never taken again. So the first film I remember going to was when I went with school friends when I was 9 or 10. Four of us went into town on the bus to see Lady and the Tramp.

grumppa Sun 29-Jan-23 22:47:09

I vaguely remember Bambi and Dumbo, but what really stands out is Treasure Island, with Robert Newton as Long John Silver. I still have a photograph of a very small me in school uniform, outside a cinema in Leicester Square, looking up at someone dressed as the sea cook, complete with crutch.

TwiceAsNice Sun 29-Jan-23 22:05:39

Bambi when I was 5. My mum said my dad went to the loo just before it started I then proceeded to call him at the top of my voice and said “the big tele’s on”

The second one I remember is being taken to see the sound of music when I was about 9 by my Auntie Alice , I think it was the first time I’d gone somewhere for a treat without my mum and dad

Deedaa Sun 29-Jan-23 21:39:48

To all the people who were traumatised by Bambi - DD is 48 now and I have never let her watch it!

Lyndylou Sun 29-Jan-23 18:08:20

My parents had taken me and my sister to London to clear out Dad's mum's house after she died. On the day of the funeral a neighbour took me aged 9 and my sister aged 7 to the cinema to see Whistle Down The Wind. That is the first film I remember seeing and I cried my eyes out at the ending. That fabulous music always brings it back.

I also think we went to see Babes in Toyland around the same time, but I only remember little bits of that one.

hollysteers Sun 29-Jan-23 16:46:07

I was a regular from toddling age, living inner city, the cinema was two blocks away and my mother would take me in the afternoon.
No idea of my first film!

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sun 29-Jan-23 16:22:39

The Sound of Music with my twin sister and mum. Loved it and still watch it when it is re-aired on the telly.

Chestnut Sun 29-Jan-23 16:19:48

silverlining48

Showing my age but it was Seven brides for seven brothers.

Apart from Adam who sung so wonderfully, my favourite brothers were Frank and Gideon because they both danced so well. Russ Tamblyn was also amazing in Tom Thumb of course. My young granddaughter loves him and also loves Elvis in Blue Hawaii.

rockgran Sun 29-Jan-23 14:18:34

The first I can remember is South Pacific - for the rest of that summer my friend and I acted out and sang those songs.
I also vividly remember Journey to the Centre of the Earth with Pat Boone.

MrsKen33 Sun 29-Jan-23 14:18:25

Love that film silverlining*. I always wanted to be Dorcas.

silverlining48 Sun 29-Jan-23 13:57:45

Showing my age but it was Seven brides for seven brothers.

Wheniwasyourage Sun 29-Jan-23 13:21:10

Wizard of Oz. My DF took me when I was probably too young, and I do remember being scared of the witch. I loved Fantasia and we used to go and see it whenever it came to the Cosmo in Glasgow. We didn't go to the cinema much, but I know we saw Bambi and Snow White (another witch to scare me!) and later on Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. I saw A Hard Day's Night and Help! with a friend.

Oldbat1 Sun 29-Jan-23 12:38:30

It was Bambi but when the hunter shot the mum of Bambi I was sobbing so much my parents had to take me out. It was the Alhambra. Still haven’t seen the film just xcerpts