This book describes the early days of the technology of film to the coming of sound, and looks briefly at the history of cinemas from 1910 to the 1960s in the Dovercourt and Harwich area, plus those at Colchester, Manningtree and Wivenhoe.

Illustrated with 72 black and white photographs, many of which have not been seen before.

The original book published in 1979 told the story of the cinema from its start in 1911, through closure and abandonment in 1956, to its restoration in the 1970s.

The new book, published with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, brings the story up to the present day looking at the intervening years and the outcome of the most recent restoration. The book was written by Chris Strachan, Founding Trustee of the Harwich Electric Palace Trust.