Candid Camera Visits ABC Preston (1958-1959)

British Pathe visits Preston to witness the opening of the ABC Cinema in Preston

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Mar 2017, 13:54 BST

Updated 8th Apr 2017, 22:26 BST

The arrival of TV meant the cinema industry was having a hard time, but they were fighting back.

In 1958 Preston was home to the newest and most up to date cinema in the world, on the site of the old Theatre Royal.

Its opening was a fancy affair, and boasted some of the most innovative equipment in the world.

Going to the cinema was certainly an occasion, and police were present on the first night to keep the crowds at bay

Pathé News was a producer of newsreels and documentaries from 1910 until 1970 in the United Kingdom.