Screens & Stages in the Silver City: Aberdeen Cinemas

Screens & Stages in the Silver City: Aberdeen Cinemas

This online exhibition looks at the history of Aberdeen cinemas and was created as part of Aberdeen City Libraries' Screens & Stages in the Silver City virtual conference of 13th February 2021.

The exhibition is a collaboration with the Aberdeen Journals Archive. They are a fantastic local history and genealogical resource. Whether you're interested in your local area, old shops, businesses, oil and gas, or your own family history, they'll have something for you.

Their photographic and news cuttings collections of the Press & Journal and Evening Express can now be accessed at Aberdeen Central Library. If you would like more information about any of their images featured in this exhibition, or about their collections more generally, please email archives@ajl.co.uk or phone 01224 343182.

In this exhibition images from the AJL Archive collections are augmented by some from Aberdeen City Libraries and relevant images of the modern day city.

Aberdeen has a rich history of cinema-going. This exhibition takes a look at the history of some of the key venues in the story of the local cinema industry.

To do so we have drawn heavily on Michael Thomson's book Silver Screen in the Silver City. Published in 1988, it is a staggering work of research that took close 15 years to compile. Thomson's work is primarily based on contemporary newspaper reports and a large number of personal reminiscences from those who were involved in the industry.

The book is highly recommended for those who would like to dig deeper into this fascinating subject. Copies of the Silver Screen in the Silver City are available to borrow at Aberdeen City Libraries.

We hope this exhibition proves informative for all and provokes pleasant memories for those who remember the cinemas.

Many thanks to Aberdeen Journal Archives for sharing their wonderful images of Aberdeen's cinemas for this exhibition.

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