Mary White
Mary talks about the National Anthem in the cinemas

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We liked the cinema and we did a lot of cycling all round the neighbourhood.  In the summer evenings, we’d cycle for miles and find a café and have a cup of tea or something and cycle back.

There were three cinemas. Certainly there was a Ritz and Odeon. Addlestone had a Capital - we called it the ‘flea pit’. We used to go to the cinema at least once a week because there was no television.

There was always a main feature film and then there was a second film and then there was usually a cartoon and loads of adverts. We had the news as well. It was a good programme for 1/6d wasn't it? The organ popped up at any time between anything, I suppose when the projectionist wanted a rest!

The last performance always finished with the National Anthem and that was about 10 p.m. I think, because there wasn't exactly a curfew, but you didn't stay out very late. There was a tendency for people to get up and walk out so they didn't have to stand up for the National Anthem. But most of us sat there patiently till the end of the film, probably mopping our eyes with the last scene and then we stood, and then gathered our bits together and off we went.