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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Station Road, Wigan

17 Comments

The Ritz at night
The Ritz at night
Photo: Darren Bishop
Views: 4,023
Item #: 7743
The Ritz Cinema on Station Road.

Comment by: Danni on 24th October 2008 at 21:54

the film was made in 1938 and starred James Stewart and Walter Pidgeon

Comment by: janet on 24th October 2008 at 22:05

The number of times I had to run up Station Rd to try catch the 'last bus home' and the trouble I got in if I missed it. You can keep all your multi cinema complexes, the 'Ritz' was something special, just look at it, nothing like it anymore.

Thanks Darren, for the blast from the past!

Comment by: Cyril on 24th October 2008 at 22:33

You're right about the Ritz being special Janet, it was the best of the picture houses in Wigan with comfy seats and plenty of leg room and the sound system was superb. Re the last buses, you knew it was pointless to keep carry on running when you heard the bus inspectors blowing their whistles and resigned yourself to walking home.

Comment by: Art on 25th October 2008 at 01:21

The Ritz & me were born the same year...'38 ;o)

Comment by: she44 on 25th October 2008 at 05:37

i walked home to ince many times when we came out of the ritz happy days thanks darren

Comment by: margaret hegan on 25th October 2008 at 15:29

Like the rest of you, what a cinema - used to go in the 40's and 50's. Missed the last bus to Beech Hill once or twice as well.

Comment by: Bob Aspey on 25th October 2008 at 19:53

Used to go the Ritz on Saturday mornings in the late 40s and enjoyed the "ABC Minors".....Enyone remember this ? :- " We are the boys and girls well known as....the minors of the ABC, and every Saturday all line up to see the films we like to see.....etc " Serials like " Flash Gordon & Johnny Mac Brown " I then used to leg it home with the lads to Newtown pretending to be riding horses and "shooting" all the indians on the way.....I also remember in my teens cuddling up on the double seats in
the rear circle..... Memories !

Comment by: cliff Higham on 25th October 2008 at 21:16

I miss the old place shame they ripped it down for more shops, had we not enough shops 'Galleries' and look whats happened there ! 'FOR SALE' most of them.
First film shown was 'The Lost Horizon' in 1938 a bit before my time,thanks for sharin Darren.

Comment by: dianne on 25th October 2008 at 23:11

i remember the ritz like u say we could do with a picture place in the centre instead of all shops shops shops

Comment by: Jimmy on 26th October 2008 at 01:50

The last film shown before it closed to be made into a triplex in May 1977 was When the north wind blows" with Dan Haggerty. When it re-opened in October 1977 the first three films shown were "The spy who loved me" "A star is born" and "Orca, the killer whale". It should have been saved not knocked down to make way for that "Grand bland arcade".

Comment by: Kevin Brown on 27th October 2008 at 20:40

Many happy times at the Ritz.
Courting? Saturday nights.
ABC Minors,Saturday morning.
The above were about 10years apart.
Also as a theatre for concerts.
My greatest memory was seeing Buddy Holly and the Crickets in i think 1959. Got their autographs.
Re Bob Aspey, other serials i think i remember Dick Tracey and Kit Carson!!!

Comment by: RON on 27th October 2008 at 22:32

I posted this on the web site last year. For all those who didn't read it, here it is again. It shows how the Ritz Cinema played a major role in our adolescent years.

Looking at old photographs showing Lowes and Woolworths got me thinking back..( Room at this point goes all swirly and I awake in circa 1965)
Home from work. Just got paid and you've got a date<g>. Eat tea in 2 minutes with you mother telling you how you will get an ulcer eating so quick. Upstairs, bath, shave, put on new Italian style 3 button suit with 14" bottoms and a 28" waist recently purchased on H.P from WEAVER to WEARER. Or your new Beatles style, round neck with no collar, jacket. Check in mirror for any pimples, if any found? to be squeezed. Splash on an ample supply of Old Spice. Put on recently polished black Winkle Picker shoes. Look at time 7.00p.m. Got to hurry, meeting the 'GIRL of YOUR DREAMS' at 7.30 either outside LOWES or on WOOLIES corner. Depending on where her bus came in. Run to bus stop Just missed one. Not to worry there will be another in a couple of minutes.
Get to designated meeting place with 10 minutes to spare ( The girl is NEVER there before you) Here we have two scenarios..
1. You wait and wait. When the time reaches 8.00 p.m. you realise she ain't turning up.. You have been "STOOD UP" (I can honestly say I have NEVER stood anyone up. I think it is one of the most humiliating experiences.)
Get back on bus, go home. Go into local where all your mates are.
"I thought you had a date tonight"
"I did, she hasn't turned up"
Met with raucous laughter in which you join in although you are "SICK AS A PIG" but pretend you aren't bothered, as you didn't really fancy her anyway
or.........
2. She appears around the corner, a vision of loveliness Your heart starts beating 20 to the dozen. "Hi, you look nice" The opening gambit on any date..
"Where do you fancy going, RITZ, COUNTY, COURT???"
"It's up to you" she replies in a voice like silk. WOW! she looks like a million dollars, and smells devine. Heart beats faster.
"O.K. we'll go to the Ritz there's a good film on"
Who's bothered what film is on. I can't wait to get my arms around her.
You get to box office "Two circle please." (No stalls for this boy) Attendant "Would you like a FILM REVIEW?" It's the first date, and you're out to impress, "Yes Please" (I ain't afraid to 'Splash the Cash' ) As you go up the first flight of stairs from the Foyer There's the sweet counter. "Would you like some chocolates" (Hey Big Spender...)
You take your seats in the massive circle. ( For all the old uns you know what a magnificent cinema the Ritz was) Looking around for anyone you know. Lights go down Pearl and Dean adverts. then a cartoon or short information type film, Then the main film. Time to put arm around girl. ( heart rate increases, yet again)
Interval "Would you like an ice cream?" (Where does this guy get his money from?) As you walk down to the ice cream lady, you always see at least half a dozen people you know. None of them with a better looking girl. I hope they see me with this girl... In case they don't, you make a point of pointing out where you are sitting, and the girl you are sitting with.
After the film finishes. Its a walk to her bus stop. Ask her the "QUESTION" "Can I see you again?" Waits for answer with anticipation. She says "YES". Heart beats even faster. Make a date for the following week. A bit of a smooch, and then see her onto the last bus. Then you run like the clappers to catch your last bus, the No.7 ABBEY LAKES. Just to see it pulling away from the stop. B******S. Never mind the Norley Hall bus leaves from Library St and has to go down to the bottom, then up King St. I'll catch it at the Station. If you're lucky and run fast you catch it. If not, it's 10/- for a taxi. So it's a long walk home to Pemberton.
Get home, open door as quiet as possible. Everyone is well in bed as its past midnight. Look at yourself in mirror and see the shoulder of your new suit is covered in face powder. Oh well she was worth it. I've met the girl I'm going to marry. Sweet Dreams
The whole episode to be repeated 2 months later... Happy Days

Comment by: janet on 28th October 2008 at 12:21

Good one Ron, I enjoyed reading that and can relate. Seeing that photo of the 'Ritz' would bring back many memories I am sure, for a lot of people...

Comment by: John Jarvis on 28th October 2008 at 15:16

Remember queueing up to watch The Godfather in 1972; we just made it in and had places next to the back row, rear stalls. It was a complete sell out and the atmosphere was electric. Remember the interval was just after Michael Corelone had shot the Italian and the bent Police Captain in the Bistro; when the lights came on, some of the audience actually applauded; wonderful moment,never forget it...
Also attended concerts by King Crimson (1971); and Curved Air (1972); both memorable occasions: Tony Meadows holding a conversation with Robert Fripp, while he was on stage was a highlight...Nice one Tony...
Good story Ron; get those maps back to you soon.

Comment by: Ian McL on 31st October 2008 at 00:06

If you are referring to the same Tony Meadows as I think ( Custer) I can WELL imagine it!

Comment by: Bob Aspey on 26th November 2008 at 14:02

Anyone remember Billy Davies on the door ?

Comment by: linda (massa) on 14th August 2010 at 14:58

Reading your comments about "courting" at the Ritz. Flippin eck that brought back some memories.

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