GROWING up close to the Marlboro Cinema it was inevitable Joyce Bean would start working there as an usherette.

Our recent look back on the ABC cinema in Bradford, and the many others that once dominated the city and district before the introduction of the small screen into our homes, sparked memories for Joyce of the city's cinema heyday.

The 86-year-old, who has lived in Manningham for the main of her life, recalls how people didn't have to travel far to be entertained in those days with the area close to her home having four local cinemas and eight local pubs.

"I was brought up in Rose Street with my sister Betty, We were two minutes away from the Marlboro Cinema and my mother always told us our grandfather had helped to build the Marlboro," recalls Joyce.

At that time the area was saturated with cinemas. Joyce recalls the many others providing Big Screen entertainment at that time, including The Oriental; The Elite and The Coliseum.

"But the Marlboro was the favourite, being very close," says Joyce.

Recalling some of the popular films which appeared at The Marlboro, Joyce says: "They showed The Bowery Boys; Three Stooges; Old Mother Riley & Kitty McShane," says Joyce.

But Roy Rogers was the favourite. "They did show a lot of cowboy films, especially Roy Rogers, it was known as The Ranch!" laughs Joyce.

She recalls the Marlboro screening the film, The Outlaw, starring the actress Jane Russell which, she recalls, was considered a 'steamy film!'

"Outside the Marlboro there was a caravan which sold pie and peas which were popular with people," says Joyce, who remembers the lengthy queues forming to watch the latest films.

One particular memory was of the Pathe News. "I am going back to 1945 - I was in the cinema and they used to have the Pathe News, we didn't have much TV at that time, and something which has always stuck in my mind it showed on the news many many times the opening of the concentration camps by the Allied Forces. I was 15 at the time and it is something I have never forgotten," says Joyce.

After watching many films there Joyce joined the staff of the Marlboro from 1947 to 1949 when she became an usherette.

"I worked as an usherette in the balcony. I was trying to save up to get married - I got married at 19," says Joyce.

"We had a little white apron and a torch to show people to their seats.

"We had a nice crew and I loved it."

When Joyce's fiance, Les, returned form the Airforce, her sister would often help out at the cinema. Joyce was 19 when they married and they enjoyed 57 and a half years together before Les sadly passed away 10 years ago.

Joyce also has fond memories of growing up in Manningham. "I have lived in Manningham practically all my life. I have happy memories of Manningham and I have been a member of St Paul's church in Manningham for over 80 years," says Joyce.

"It is a big part of my life."

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