Glen Cinema disaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 
Memorial to the victims of the Glen Cinema Disaster
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| Date | 31 December 1929 |
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| Location | Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, |
| Cause | Crush caused by a fire believed to be in the building |
| Deaths | 71 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 40 |
The Glen Cinema disaster was a terrible event that happened at a movie theater in Paisley, Scotland. On 31 December 1929, a film canister started smoking. This caused a huge panic among the children inside. Many children tried to escape all at once. This led to a deadly human crush. In the end, 71 children died, and about 40 others were hurt. It is one of the worst disasters ever in Scottish history. The building where the Glen Cinema once stood is still there today. It is now a furniture store.
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What Happened at the Glen Cinema?
The Glen Cinema first opened its doors in 1901. People often called it 'The Glen'. On the afternoon of 31 December 1929, a special movie show was held for children. The cinema was packed with between 700 and 1,000 kids. They ranged from very young children to about 14 years old. Many parents sent their children to the cinema. They wanted their homes empty to clean for the upcoming Hogmanay holiday, which is New Year's Eve.
The Smoking Film Canister
During the show, a film was put into its metal container. This happened in a small room called the spool room. Suddenly, thick black smoke began to come out of the canister. Back then, movies used a type of film called nitrate film. This film was very easy to burn. It could even burn on its own without needing air.
An assistant film operator saw the smoke. He tried to cover the film to stop it. But the container popped open. Smoke and fumes then spread into the movie hall. Soon, the entire room was filled with smoke. One person who survived said someone yelled "fire!" This made all the children start running for the exits.
The Panic and Escape Attempts
Children ran downstairs very quickly. So many children rushed at once. They piled up behind an escape door that led to a street called Dyers Wynd. This door could not be opened easily. It was designed to open inwards. Also, it was locked with a padlock. Other children were hurt when people jumped from the balconies. They landed on those sitting below them. Everyone was trying to get out.
A police officer arrived soon after the smoke started. He reported that the gates were locked. However, another person said they saw the cinema's manager, Charles Dorward, unlock them. A police officer managed to break the padlock on one door. But it was still hard to open. The doors opened inwards, and many people were pressed against them. People were scrambling over each other to escape. Some children stayed in their seats. Firefighters rescued them from the cinema. Other children were saved when firefighters broke windows. They pulled the kids out through the openings.
Who Was Affected?
Seventy-one children died because of the human crush. This happened as they tried to escape the cinema. Between thirty and forty other children were injured. Many of the children who died were recorded as having died from "asphyxia by crushing." This means they couldn't breathe because they were squeezed so tightly.
What the Investigation Found
An official inquiry was held in Edinburgh on 29 April 1930. During this inquiry, important facts came out. It was found that the Glen Cinema had been checked. The Paisley fire brigade had said it was safe. This check happened on the very morning of the fire.
The owner of the cinema, James Graham, agreed there were not enough exits. But he said he had told the manager, Charles Dorward, many times. He told him that the escape exits should never be shut during children's shows. Dorward admitted that the exit gates were sometimes locked. This was done to stop children from getting into the cinema without paying.
The inquiry concluded that the fire started from a short circuit. This happened when the film canister was placed on top of a battery. This was in the spool room. The tragedy became much worse for several reasons. There were too few exits. There were not enough staff members to help. And the cinema was too crowded.
Charles Dorward, the manager, was put on trial. But he was found not guilty.
Changes After the Disaster
A special fund was set up to help the injured children. It also helped the parents who had lost their children. This fund raised £5,300. This amount would be worth about £338,900 today. Paisley Town Council also offered the children a week's holiday by the sea.
On 31 December 2009, a special service was held. This marked 80 years since the disaster. It took place at the Cenotaph war memorial. Survivors of the disaster gathered to remember the children who died. Wreaths were placed by Emily Brown, one of the survivors. She was five years old when the event happened. Since then, this memorial service has become an annual event. In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was held online.
Safety rules were made much stricter after the disaster. Many local governments made it a rule for cinemas to be inspected. The Cinematograph Act 1909 was changed. It now made sure cinemas had more exits. It also required that doors opened outwards. And they had to have push bars for easy opening. A limit was also placed on how many people could sit in a cinema.
Remembering the Glen Cinema
There is a small display at Paisley Museum. It shows some newspaper articles about the disaster. You can also see a receipt for a funeral. There is a pair of shoes and a hat. The museum also has letters sent to the leader of Paisley. These letters came from other city leaders. They were from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe. Some letters were very touching. They were from women who could not keep their own children. They offered their children to the families in Paisley who had lost theirs.
For the 90th anniversary, a documentary about the disaster was made. It was shown along with a display of the letters of sympathy sent to the town.
Related Events
- List of disasters of the United Kingdom and preceding states
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