History of the UPP – Free TalkU

Dream Palaces: A history of the Ultimate Picture Palace and early cinema in Oxford

When the Oxford Picture Palace (now the Ultimate Picture Palace) opened in 1911 it was Oxford’s first purpose-built ‘electric theatre’. The technology of projecting moving images on to a screen was still in its infancy, but the ‘cinematograph’ had become wildly popular and a wave of new cinemas quickly followed, offering thrilling entertainment to both Town and Gown.

Join local historian Liz Woolley (www.lizwoolley.co.uk) for this FREE talk and find out more about this fascinating aspect of Oxford’s history. Booking essential.

Arrive early to claim a FREE tea or coffee.

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed History of the UPP – Free Talk between March 17, 2025 and March 22, 2025.

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What else is on?

Today (Wednesday 25th June)
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15:45

The Ballad of Wallis Island 12A
1h 40m
A reclusive lottery winner reunites his favourite band (and old flames) for one last gig. But as memories resurface, so do old wounds. A melancholic British comedy starring Carey Mulligan and Tim Key about lost love and music.

Book here

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18:00

A State of Passion Cert-TBC
+ Q&A
1h 30m | Arabic w/ English subtitles
SAFAR Film Festival 2025
After 43 harrowing days in Gaza’s hospitals, surgeon Ghassan Abu Sittah becomes a symbol of Palestinian resistance. This documentary follows his and his family’s journey and steadfast commitment to a homeland under siege. SAFAR Film Festival 2025 screening plus Q&A.

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20:45

Victim PG
1h 40m
Classic Season: Queer Thrillers
This landmark 1961 film broke taboos as the UK’s first to confront homosexuality head-on. Dirk Bogarde delivers a career-defining performance in a brave, compassionate legal thriller that helped change public attitudes.

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Tomorrow (Thursday 26th June)
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12:30

The Ballad of Wallis Island 12A
Parent + Baby Screening
1h 40m
A reclusive lottery winner reunites his favourite band (and old flames) for one last gig. But as memories resurface, so do old wounds. A melancholic British comedy starring Carey Mulligan and Tim Key about lost love and music.

Book here

Find out more

15:00

The Salt Path 12A
Deaf/HOH Subtitles
1h 55m
Evicted and facing illness, a couple embarks on a 630-mile walk along England’s coast. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, this moving adaptation of Raynor Winn’s memoir is a story of love, survival, and resilience.

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17:30

Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story 18
1h 21m | Malagasy w/ English subtitles
In Madagascar, a young miner is torn between fast money and his principles. A political, personal debut from Luck Razanajaona, blending 1970s radical spirit with a gripping tale of identity, justice, and survival.

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19:30

NTLive: A Streetcar Named Desire 15
3h 23m

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!

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