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Three men at the cinema with their gas masks, September 1939

Three men at the cinema with their gas masks, September 1939


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Three men at the cinema with their gas masks, September 1939

Three men queuing for the cinema with their gas masks, next to a sign informing cinema-goers that an announcement will be made from the stage if an air raid occurs. The Spheres caption " take your gas-mask to the cinema" reminds the reader that this is compulsory. Date: 1939

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Media ID 23268920

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Cinema Cinemas Films Jul19 Mask Masks Phoney Phony Raid Raids Safety


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EDITORS COMMENTS
September 1939: A Moment of Cinematic Solace Amidst the Uncertainties of War Amidst the ominous shadows of World War II, the simple pleasure of a night at the cinema became a beacon of comfort and escape for the weary. In this evocative photograph, three men, dressed in suits and donning their gas masks, queue patiently outside a cinema. The sign above the entrance reads, "Take your gas-mask to the cinema," a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of air raids that loomed over their daily lives. The date is September 1939, and the world had been plunged into the chaos of the 2nd World War just a few short weeks earlier. The phony war, as it was called, had begun with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany on the 1st of September, and the Allied Powers' subsequent declarations of war against Germany. The fear of air raids was a constant companion to the people of Europe, and the need to carry a gas mask at all times was a grim reality. The men in the photograph, however, seem to find solace in the communal experience of going to the cinema. The shared laughter, the collective gasps, and the mutual tension during suspenseful scenes provided a brief respite from the uncertainties of wartime life. The cinema became a sanctuary, a place where people could momentarily forget the horrors of war and immerse themselves in the magic of the silver screen. This poignant image, captured in the early days of the war, serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It also highlights the importance of community and the power of art to provide comfort and solace in the darkest of times.

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