Movies in the good old days
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (347538)
Rockingham, Australia
December 18, 2024 7:18am CST
I wrote about having the chance to attend a film festival and it took me back to when we used to go to the movies as a child. It was held in a theatre. There might have been some ads first. I can’t remember that bit but then the National Anthem would play and we’d all stand and be quiet for its duration.
Next would come a newsreel then, if we were lucky, a cartoon. This would be followed by the ‘B’ film, then interval and finally the main film. I guess the length of the film determined if there would be a cartoon or not. I don’t remember what time the movies finished but it always seemed late to us kids. So, with all the bits and pieces, you got your money's worth from the night.
The photo is of some of the great wall art at the entertainment centre where the festival will be held.
15 people like this
15 responses
@DaddyEvil (142648)
• United States
18 Dec
The "commercials" that played before the movie(s) started and one between the dual feature were about the theater snack bar... They always showed popcorn, a drink and some type of candy... 
You know, their real moneymakers. 
When I was a kid, we always got a cartoon first. 
(Oh, wow! I'm really feeling old now. 
)
You know, their real moneymakers.
When I was a kid, we always got a cartoon first. (Oh, wow! I'm really feeling old now. )7 people like this
@DaddyEvil (142648)
• United States
18 Dec
@JudyEv Back then, the movie theater was one of the "bigger" businesses here.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (51861)
• United States
18 Dec
I remember always getting a cartoon too.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (142648)
• United States
18 Dec
@Tampa_girl7 They were always the best cartoons, too.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (51861)
• United States
18 Dec
I can remember always having our national anthem first at the movie theaters on the Air Force Bases. I don’t recall them off base, but we always got a cartoon.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (51861)
• United States
19 Dec
@JudyEv I still would like a cartoon first. Not sure why they stopped showing them ?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (347538)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
@Tampa_girl7 I think if the two films were a bit longer than usual maybe then they didn't have a cartoon.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (13244)
• Ireland
18 Dec
@Judyev I loved the newsreels though they left me feeling rather nervous and a bit worried. We always had to stand for the national anthem, and since it was in Malawi at the country's then only cinema (The Majestic) the president had spies at each showing to check on who stood and who did not. If you didn't stand and were black you were escorted to jail, if white you were escorted to the airport.
3 people like this
@aureategloom (11051)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
18 Dec
it's similar nowadays - first commercials, then the movie
but you can pick when to watch the movie - late or super late
cartoons are mostly available in the morning hours
but you can pick when to watch the movie - late or super late
cartoons are mostly available in the morning hours 2 people like this
@JudyEv (347538)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
@aureategloom We have that in our big centres too. They might have five or six theatres but sometimes there is only a handful of people in each.
1 person likes this
@aureategloom (11051)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
19 Dec
@JudyEv it's similar here, but there are some movie theaters that work almost all day and have many different rooms that display different movies
1 person likes this
@allknowing (141710)
• India
18 Dec
We had some documentaries played at school and that's it My first movie I think was when I was in my teens
1 person likes this
@Manasha (2863)
• Pondicherry, India
19 Dec
What a wonderful trip down memory lane! It’s amazing how those little rituals—like standing for the National Anthem, catching a cartoon, and watching a newsreel—made movie nights feel so special and immersive. They truly packed the evening with entertainment back then! The wall art at the festival venue sounds like the perfect touch to evoke that nostalgic magic. Enjoy the festival—sounds like it’ll be a memorable experience! ???
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (347538)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
They were good times. It's hard not to be nostalgic about them.
@FourWalls (71920)
• United States
18 Dec
Those were the days. There were “serials” back in the 40s (Steven Spielberg said he based Raiders of the Lost Ark on those old serials.
Then there was the cute song…
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (71920)
• United States
19 Dec
@JudyEv — I was taking a break for the holidays, it just for you….
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (112468)
• Marion, Ohio
18 Dec
Here did candy and popcorn commercials. Then often straight to the movie
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83912)
• United States
18 Dec
I remember movies being like that when I was a kid. Plus most movies played over and over so many times we were able to stay and watch it twice.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (347538)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec
I think in the cities they were played over and over but not in our little country town.
@LindaOHio (184040)
• United States
19 Dec
I remember getting a double header with 2 movies, a newsreel, etc. Also, you could stay and see the movie/s a second time if you wanted to. Have a good day. Interesting mural.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (184040)
• United States
20 Dec
@JudyEv We used to go to the matinees for about $1.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (6953)
• Calcutta, India
19 Dec
here they play the national anthem at the movies too.
1 person likes this
