C.T.A Bulletin and Picture House indexes

The C.T.A. has published a newsletter magazine quarterly since 1967. Containing news of cinemas around the U.K., short articles on cinema history along with news of meetings and events of the C.T.A. Since 1982 the annual Picture House has also been published containing detailed and well-illustrated articles on all aspects of cinema history. These indexes will help find information within both publications from 1967 to 2006 and, in addition, in the CTA Bulletin from 2007 to 2016.

C.T.A. Visit Notes

The C.T.A has organised visits to cinemas since 1967, both in the UK and Overseas, including tours of cities or areas lasting several days. Visit notes have been produced for each visit with information about the buildings visited.

Architectural Plans

The Archive holds a vast number of cinema plans both original, reproductions and plans associated with planning applications for alterations.Key collections include the original plans for leading architects George Coles and Alister MacDonald.

A full list of Plans held in the Archive can be found below.

Photographic Portfolios

The Archive holds tens of thousands of images of cinemas across the U.K. including the unparalleled Tony Moss Photographic Collection, an album belonging to Union Cinemas and the three portfolios of photographs owned by leading Architect George Coles. This list includes the George Coles portfolios and other mounted high-quality images.

A list of the picture Portfolios can be found below.

Kinematograph (Kine) Yearbooks

A vital starting point for so many cinema researchers, this annual publication contains information on every cinema in the U.K., leading Circuits, cinema suppliers, films released and much more. Also included in the list are other similar publications including the later B.F.I. Yearbooks. Many of these have been scanned and are available online. For further information please contact us.

A full list of Kine Yearbooks can be found below.

Kinematograph Weekly/Ideal Kinema/The Cinema/Cinema & TV Today, Screen International and other trade papers

The Archive contains many trade papers covering the films on release and the exploitation of these films by cinemas, plus features on the latest cinemas and technical innovations. These are being catalogued and the lists will be updated periodically.

A.B.C. Opening Programmes

The Archive contains hundreds of programmes created as souvenirs for first night audiences. Here is a list of the ABC opening programmes held.

South London Press

Bound copies of complete years of the South London Press containing weekly advertisements for cinemas showing what was on.

David E. Nye Collection

The papers relating to the architectural practice of the leading Architect covering his post war works on existing cinemas.

Archive Library

The Archive contains an extensive library of books and pamphlets covering all aspects of cinemas and the exhibition industry. Here is a list of all the titles currently held.

Maurice Cheepen Collection

This vast collection accumulated over a lifetime in cinema management contains wonderful examples of cinema showmanship and publicity stunts, many while manager of the Troxy Stepney. The photographs showing the East End of London in the decades following World War 2, are facinating.

Audio Visual Collection

Video and cassette recordings have been digitised recently and are now available on DVD and CD at the Archive.

Mercia Cinema Society

Although no longer active the back issues of the Mercia Bioscope magazine contain many fascinating articles.

Cinema Organ – Journal of the Cinema Organ Society