Glen Cinema disaster

The Glen Cinema was opened in 1901; it became known as 'The Glen' and 'The Royal Animated Pictures'.[4] On the afternoon of 31 December 1929, during a children's matinee, a freshly shown film was put in its metal can, in the spool room, where it began to issue thick black smoke. Nitrate film, as used at this time, can burn on its own without needing any supply of air. When an assistant film operator spotted the smoke coming from a film container, he tried to smother the flammable film; but the container sprang open, and smoke and fumes entered the hall.[5] Soon, smoke filled the auditorium that contained about one thousand children.[6][7] Panic set in. Children ran downstairs so fast and in such numbers that they piled up behind the escape door that led to Dyers Wynd. The door could not be opened, as it was designed to open inwards and was padlocked.

An inquiry was held in Edinburgh on 29 April 1930, during which it was revealed that the cinema had been inspected and pronounced safe by the Paisley fire brigade on the morning of the fire. The owner, James Graham, had, however, agreed that there were insufficient exits, but claimed he had repeatedly reminded the manager, Charles Dorward, that the escape exits were not to be shut during matinee performances. The manager conceded that the exit gates had sometimes been locked to prevent children from entering the cinema without paying. A policeman who arrived on the scene just after the fire started reported that the gates were padlocked; however, another witness confirmed that she had seen Dorward unlock them. It remained unclear as to why the gates had been padlocked. The conclusion of the inquiry was that the fire had been started by a short circuit when a metal box containing film stock had been placed on the top of a battery in the projection room. The tragedy had been made worse by the limited number of exits, insufficient attendants, and overcrowding.[8]

The building that housed the Glen Cinema still stands, and currently houses a furniture store.[9]

A relief fund for the injured children and bereaved parents raised £5,300 (the equivalent of approximately £338,900 as of 2020): Paisley Town Council offered them a week's holiday at the seaside.[10]

The plaque added by the Film Council

On 31 December 2009, to mark the eightieth anniversary of the tragedy, a memorial service was conducted by Philip Tartaglia, Bishop of Paisley and his associates at the Cenotaph. Survivors congregated to remember the children who lost their lives on 31 December 1929. The wreaths were laid by one of the survivors, Emily Brown, who was five years old at the time of the incident. Since then, the memorial service has become an annual event.[11]

The cinema manager was put on trial for culpable homicide, but found not guilty.[12]

Safety regulations were tightened in the wake of the disaster; many municipal authorities made inspections of cinemas compulsory. The Cinematograph Act 1909 was amended to ensure that cinemas had more exits, that doors opened outwards and that they were fitted with push bars. A limitation was also placed on the seating capacity of cinemas.[13]

A small display is at Paisley Museum which has some articles on the disaster, a receipt for a funeral, a pair of shoes, and a hat. There are also letters sent to the Provost of Paisley from other civic leaders, in the UK, Europe and from the USA. Some of the more poignant letters are from women who were unable to keep their own children, offering them to the devastated families of Paisley.

• List of disasters of the United Kingdom and preceding states
• Victoria Hall disaster

• Glen Cinema Website
• The Paisley Cinema Disaster