Picturegoer

File:Picturegoer.jpg

Petula Clark on the cover of the 3 December 1949 issue

Picturegoer was a fan magazine published in the United Kingdom between January 1921 and 23 April 1960. Its primary focus was contemporary films and the performers who appeared in them.

Background

The magazine was initially published monthly until November 1925, then disappeared for some years, but reappeared 30 May 1931 as a weekly magazine, listing films showing at UK cinemas when talkies had become dominant. Eventually it became a bi-weekly movie magazine featuring the screen's biggest stars that was sold at all cinemas. Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier, Bette Davis, Paulette Goddard, Petula Clark, Fred Astaire, and Richard Burton were among the hundreds of stars who graced its front cover.

After World War II, it found itself competing with periodicals published by the Rank Organisation, Odeon Cinemas, and Associated British Cinemas, which replaced Picturegoer with their own magazines at their theater kiosks. As a result, Picturegoer became more sensational in the 1950s, with covers featuring cheesecake and beefcake-style artwork.

It eventually merged with the pop music magazine Disc Date. Shortly after the Picturegoer name was dropped and the publication concentrated solely on music. The last issue of Picturegoer was published on 23 April 23, 1960 with a cover showcasing Jackie Rae and Janette Scott.

See also

• Picture Show