A SOCIAL history expert is revisiting his love of ‘the pictures’ in his latest book.

Local historian Vincent Gillen, based in the Inverclyde Heritage Hub, took a walk down memory lane to look at the history of legendary local picture houses.

Vincent is passionate about keeping people’s stories alive and hopes to recapture the magic of the ABC, the Gaumont and La Scala.

His title, ‘Going to the Pictures, A history of cinema in Inverclyde’ was recently launched and looks set to prove a hit. 

Vincent said: “One of my favourite childhood memories is going to the pictures with my bottle of lemonade and a Wagon Wheel!

“It is a different experience altogether now.”

Twenty-five years ago Vincent was involved in an exhibition at the McLean Museum to celebrate 100 years of cinema and he produced a book at the time to accompany the display.
Vincent added: “I thought it was time for an update.

“We have increased access to more photos and people’s memories.

“It is all the personal memories and stories I am interested in.

“There is a story from the old ABC, when they were screening The Exorcist.

“Apparently someone up the Strone knocked out an electricity pylon and the place went into darkness.

“Everyone was terrified and people ran out.”

Vincent’s new book revisits all the old picture houses, with old photographs and memories.

It follows his work capturing tales from both World Wars, the Blitz and the story of shipbuilding.

Vincent added: “If you take the Blitz, all the history books tell you about London, Coventry and Clydebank. 

“But here in Inverclyde we have our own story.

“When primary pupils learn about it they can find out from their families.”

Vincent is now poised to turn his attention to another of his great passions, the First World War, with this November marking 100 years since the conflict ended.

The researcher is planning to put together a book listing all 500 memorial stones of fallen soldiers in the cemetery.

Vincent said: “We want to tell their stories.

“There were a total of 2,500 people killed and there is a memorial here in Inverclyde of all their names because so many people died.”