ERIC Leaver's article, 'Movie magic' (LET, August 11) took me back many years when, as a child, I enjoyed going to the flicks.

Occasionally, Mum would take me to a silent movie. However, as I got older the highlight of the week was Saturday's 'penny rush' and 'two pence scramble' at Charnley's or 'Penks,' in Blackburn - where if you paid three old pennies, it was a balcony seat plus sweets.

I remember walking along with my parents and brother, from our home in Burnley Road, Blackburn, to the Palladium in Oswaldtwistle to see my first talking picture 'Sunny Side Up,' with Janet Gayner and Charles Farrel.

If my memory serves me right, the Rialto in Blackburn first opened its doors for the showing of 'Daddy Long Legs,' in which Janet Gayer played along with Warner Baxter.

R COPE, Plantation Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.