The War Years

The outbreak of war in September of 1939 meant the first break in the New Victoria's run. From the 1st to the 18th cinemas and theatres were closed down by local athourities. This was due to the fact that evacuation planswere under way and the government didn't want people congragating in public places where it could hinder the exercise. Also at that time those people lucky enough to own cars were being asked to save petrol. Journeys by car that were unnessecary were frowned upon.
With blackout restrictions coming in to force the ornate structure of the New Victoria would not be seen at night for a few years to come.

So what of the films that were showing. The British studios did their best to stay in production, but with the outbreak of war a lot of their stars had signed up for service. The American studios in the early years did not have these restrictions. America was now in a position to take the upper hand.

The news reels were now even more important to the cinema going public. These films gave those at home the chance to see a little of what their loved ones were going through; even if these films were heavily censored.

The Ministry of Information put out films concerning every day life with the restrictions that the newly enforced rationing put on family life. One of the Ministry's films also was the first film that the New Victoria had an age restriction on it. No one under eighteen admitted. The film was "the birth of a baby."