Mexborough Cosy Memories

Cosy Memories is a film project we are in the process of creating with Lauren Townsend and David Sànchez along with local heritage groups, stemming from past projects with Cosy Cinema.

We are engaging with older members of the Mexborough Community including those living in Care Homes and asking for memories they may have in association with the nine cinemas that used to be around in Mexborough.

We, in turn will make a series of films using their responses. The films will then be used as trailers for Cosy Cinema before their film screenings.

I were 3 when the Majestic Cinema opened and we moved to live in Mexborough, my mum and dad opened a little shop. I could only go with my friends if my mum checked out the film beforehand. Dorothy (Majestic Cinema)

I as a young girl went to the Majestic Cinema in Mexborough with my older sister. She always wanted to treat me to the latest films. Grace (Majestic Cinema)

Me and my husband Ernest went to the Majestic Cinema every week before we got married so we actually did all courting at the pictures. We sometimes went to the Oxford where we watched a lot of cowboy films. Joan (Majestic Cinema)

I visited the Majestic Cinema a few times in Mexborough and the Roxy at Swinton. I remember red, velvet curtains at each side that reminded me of a church. My husband and I did some courting in the cinema. Royal was my favourite cinema as it was new. In my time I have enjoyed the cinemas. Jean (Majestic and Royal Cinema)

I went monthly with my friends to watch a film. We always had an ice cream in the interval where one of the lady staff came to the front of the screen to serve ice creams. Dorothy (Majestic Cinema)

I met Mr Robinson who was the owner of the Princess Cinema in Rawmarsh. We were all still at school so we were all friends. We want straight from school to the matinee. Jean (Majestic Cinema)

I met and went out with my future husband. I enjoyed going to the cinema with them. Pauline (Majestic, Royal and Empire Cinema)

The staff were always friendly and helpful. Betty (Majestic Cinema)

I made a lot of friends when visiting the cinema which are all special memories to me. Annie (Empire Cinema)

I went for my first date at the Royal in Mexborough. I then went on to marry him. Pearl (Royal Cinema)

Some weeks we used to pay a shilling to sit upstairs that were very nice. Everything my mum approved. Dorothy (Majestic Cinema)

I always with my boyfriend then he became my husband. We always travelled on his motorbike because we never had a car. We liked to watch murder mysteries. Joan (Majestic Cinema)

Growing up my father used to work down the pit and every Christmas the pit threw a party for them all at Majestic Cinema. Dorothy (Majestic Cinema)

I were never allowed to go to the cinema by myself or with any other people. Can’t really remember the films but always remember the ice creams. Grace (Majestic Cinema)

I used to love to watch cowboys, war films, any type of action film. I used to go on my own because my aunty worked there. Donald (Majestic Cinema)

The day the war started I was at the cinema when it was announced. Annie (Empire Cinema)

We mostly watched Greta Garbo films. Didn’t mind what film I watched, it were an evening out. Dorothy (Majestic Cinema)

I had lots of favourite films so I couldn’t really name them, I’ve really forgotten them now. But this has brought back lots of lovely memories. Joan (Majestic Cinema)

My favourite film was with Judy Garland and Deanna Derbin and they sang about a trolley bus. I am not sure if it has changed, it has been a long time since I have seen it. My favourite films now are Ben Hur (Charlton Heston) and Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) and El Cid (Charlton Heston). Jean (Majestic Cinema)

I can remember watching a lot of cowboy films. It has changed from black and white to colour, which made them more interesting. I liked the film Gone With the Wind. Jean (Majestic Cinema)

I think my favourite films are The Magnificent Seven and The Battle of the OK Corral. These are still my favourite films. Donald (Majestic Cinema)

Mario Lansa - Midnight Kiss. Still my favourite now I have the record framed in my room. Dorothy (Majestic Cinema)

“My late Dad was a projectionist at the Royal Electric Theatre in the early 50’s!”

“When I was a kid in Mexborough we had the Empire, Majestic and the Royal (Electric Theatre). Plus the Roxy in Swinton.”

“1st film i ever remember seeing was bambi at the majestic in Mexborough”

“I was born in mexborough but now I live in Australia for the last 53 years its so good to see the old mexborough l went”

“To the royal empress majestic also remember dancing to Bert cleggs band in the empress ballroom also Burton's happy memories”

“My parents took their first child, born 1929, to The Electric Cinema (The Royal) when very young and left the pram under the fire escape and when they came out, following heavy rain, the pram was full of rainwater. I remember The Chocolate Box sweet shop next door, much later date of course. I also saw an hypnotist perform there. Roy Casson?”

“I remember my auntie taking me & my cousin to watch Grease there”

“I remember the old Royal Electric cinema sitting with a girl fiend on a double seat thus having a close relationship regardless what ever the film showing. The Majestic cinema was a little more up market and so I used to meet prospect females inside because I could not afford the admission fare for two. Happy days….”

“loved saturday matinees at the majestic”

“My gran was a projectionist for, what is now The Corner Pocket. Loved going with her on a Saturday. I'd sit on the step while she showed the film. Fond memories”

“My sister and her husband used work at the majestic he was the projectionist and my sister was an usherette many years ago”

“That's my dad loading the projector at the Majestic.”

“I use to go there on a Saturday”

“My brother ted Hepworth. Used. Be a chocolate boy at the royal cabin selling from a tray they carried in the royal cinema”

“Thanks for posting, really interesting.”

“My late Dad was a projectionist at the Royal Electric Theatre in the early 50’s!”