Diss Museum – Memories of the Flicks

Many local people will only have seen a White Christmas in the 1954 film showing at Diss Picture House.

This and many other films will be commemorated by the museum on the 50th anniversary of the cinema’s closure. The Saturday 11th March opening will see an exhibition, preceded by a parade from near the old cinema by groups depicting films. Hughes Electrical, who now have the site, will be involved in a mini festival recalling the days from 1915 to 1973 when the town went to the flicks. A small, one-storey building from 1915 was replaced by the current structure in 1934, soon after the advent of the Talkies. The museum has chosen Casablanca as the main theme as next year is the 80th anniversary of the classic movie. The Corn Hall will show the film during the opening week while Amandines Restaurant will join in by featuring Moroccan food for lunch that week. Museum Manager Basil Abbott has produced a PowerPoint presentation about the Picture House for any interested groups. The South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band will present a concert of film music in the church on the evening of the museum opening. The project will be in partnership with the award-winning Education and Community group ERM CIC; and will feature school and after-school group work. Basil Abbott said, “We hope that many groups will join us in the parade and help us remember the happy days of Diss Picture House. We would also like to hear any memories people have of those days.”