Past Pavilion: Cinema in 1953

After the excitement of managing to track down the elusive Russian ballet performance that held centre stage in the September newsletter; we return to the more regular diet of entertainment offered to the patrons attending the Pavilion Cinema in 1953.

PAVILION. SELSEY: When "OBJECTIVE BURMA" (Sunday and Monday) was shown to British troops just after the last war, there was a riot. The screen was ripped down, seats were uprooted and cinema staff were lucky to escape with their lives. The British soldiers who had fought in this district thought the Americans were claiming all the credit for the victory in Burma. Now, before the film is shown, there is a preface paying tribute to the British forces and pointing out that this is only the story of a single party of American paratroops who helped Britain in their effort to beat a common enemy. The paratroops are led by Errol Flynn.

"LES MISERABLES" (Tuesday and Wednesday is a new adaptation of Victor Hugo's famous novel about sacrifice and suffering. The well-known story concerns the adventures of a convict on parole who attempts to elude a police chief who relentlessly hounds him. Michael Rennie, Debra Paget and Robert Newton are the stars.

"MONKEY BUSINESS" (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) is an amusing American comedy starring Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers. A chemist's life ambition is to find the formula to bring youth to ageing people. Havoc is caused when one of his experimental chimpanzees accidentally produces the magic substance.

The Roy Rogers Riders’ Club meets on Saturday mornings at the cinema. Some novel competitions with attractive prizes are being organized for the winter months.
Bognor Regis Observer 10/10/1953‍

Later in the month one of the films showing had a link to Selsey.

PAVILION. SELSEY: "HOME AT SEVEN" (Sunday and Monday) will have special interest for Selsey people because the film was adapted from the play by R. C. Sherriff, who was a resident of the village for many years. The drama begins when a bank clerk returns and learns from his wife that he has been missing for 24 hours and is suffering from loss of memory. During those hours, a murder was committed and the clerk becomes convinced that he did it.
Bognor Regis Observer 23/10/1953‍

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