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. In a 27-year period no fewer than ten new cinemas opened.

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.

This talk is part of Oxford Open Doors 2025, organised by The Oxford Preservation Trust. 

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed History of the UPP – Free Talk between March 17, 2025 and September 14, 2025.

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What else is on?

Tomorrow (Wednesday 10th December)
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15:30

The Choral 12A
Descriptive Subtitles
1h 53m
As World War I decimates membership of a Yorkshire choir, a group of teenagers and the gifted yet scandalous Dr. Guthrie step in. Ralph Fiennes anchors this poignant wartime drama written by Alan Bennett, celebrating community and music amid profound loss.

Book here

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18:00

Deprisa, Deprisa 18
1h 40m | Spanish w/ English subtitles
Season: Cinema Rediscovered 2025
A waitress falls for a young criminal and joins his reckless gang in a fast-paced tale of love and rebellion. Carlos Saura’s gritty post-Franco drama captures a restless generation chasing freedom at any cost.

Book here

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20:30

The Running Man 15
2h 13m
In a brutal, televised bloodsport, fugitives are hunted by elite killers for nationwide entertainment. To save his dying daughter, Ben enters the arena, and becomes an electrifying symbol of rebellion. Edgar Wright unleashes pulse-pounding action as Glen Powell explodes in Stephen King’s fiercely dystopian thrill ride.

Book here


Thursday 11th December
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12:30

The Choral 12A
Parent + Baby screening
1h 53m
As World War I decimates membership of a Yorkshire choir, a group of teenagers and the gifted yet scandalous Dr. Guthrie step in. Ralph Fiennes anchors this poignant wartime drama written by Alan Bennett, celebrating community and music amid profound loss.

Book here

Find out more

15:30

The Thing with Feathers 15
1h 44m
A grieving father’s reality fractures after his wife’s sudden death, and finds himself haunted by a giant talking crow. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a riveting performance in this lyrical, surreal adaptation of Max Porter’s award-winning novel exploring love and grief.

Book here

Find out more

18:00

The Choral 12A
1h 53m
As World War I decimates membership of a Yorkshire choir, a group of teenagers and the gifted yet scandalous Dr. Guthrie step in. Ralph Fiennes anchors this poignant wartime drama written by Alan Bennett, celebrating community and music amid profound loss.

Book here

Find out more

20:30

The Thing with Feathers 15
1h 44m
A grieving father’s reality fractures after his wife’s sudden death, and finds himself haunted by a giant talking crow. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a riveting performance in this lyrical, surreal adaptation of Max Porter’s award-winning novel exploring love and grief.

Book here


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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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