The period between the two world wars is often named "the golden age of the cinema"
in Britain. This definitive and entertaining book on the cinema and cinema-goers of
the era is herewith reissued with a new Introduction.
Jeffrey Richards, described by Philip French as "a shrewd critic, a compulsive
moviegoer, and a professional historian," tells the absorbing story of the cinema
during the decade that produced Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers, the musicals of
Jessie Matthews and Alexander Korda's epics. He examines the role of going to the
pictures in people's lives during a tough period when, in the sumptuous buildings
that housed local cinemas, people regularly spent a few pence to purchase ready-
made dreams watching Gracie Fields, Robert Donat and the other stars of the day.
He scrutinizes the film industry, censorship, cinema's influence, the nature of
the star system and its images, as well as the films themselves, including the
visions of Britain, British history and society that they created and represented.

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