Hippodrome Cinema

I have unearthed a bit more.Stalybridge Hippodrome was one of the first cinemas to open in the area, but it was originally called The Grand Theatre and in 1912 changed to The Grand Theatre and Hippodrome as films were shown on three days of the week. Jack Judge who wrote the song ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ performed at The Grand Theatre in January 1912. He was challenged to write and perform a song in twenty-four hours which he succeeded in doing. A blue plaque and statue commemorate the man in the town. During the 1930’s The Hippodrome was leased by the H. D. Moorhouse Circuit and in 1938 the live shows ceased, the stage which was reputed to be the largest in the North was left intact. The cinema closed halfway through a film ‘The Candlelight Murder’ on 22nd March 1954, when bosses from the Moorhouse Circuit went into the projection office and told them to stop the film and play the National Anthem. Everyone was completely shocked, and they were all moved to the Alhambera in Openshaw, it appeared the lease had not been renewed and never reopened.

There is additional historical detail about this theatre here.