Reel Reflections - A Comic History of Cinemas in Inverclyde

The Reel Reflections project was developed and managed by Inverclyde Community Development Trust with the support of National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Published by Magic Torch Comics CIC / Inverclyde Community Development Trust June 2026.

The publication is not for sale or resale and is exclusively for free distribution No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for the purposes of review

The comic is a blend of conversations, questions and documentary information compiled from various sources, individuals and volunteer researchers. In particular, we would like to thank Vincent Gillan, Margaret Brennan, Ronnie Ahlfeld, Brian McDonald, Pat Doran, Jim Strachan and Graham McColgan. Special thanks to John Cunningham at Greenock Waterfront Cinema. Interviews conducted by Collective Voices and Niall Ptolomey.

Script compiled and written by Paul Bristow

‘Auld Joe’s Show’ adapted from Old Greenock Characters by John Donald

Virtual Reality development by Ian Crighton & Dana

Artwork

‘Auld Joe’s Show’ & ‘Greenock Waterfront’ by Robin Henley

‘Moving Pictures’ by Chelsea Turner

‘The Kings Theatre Tragedy’ by Brian Rankin

‘Under Fire’ by Jem Milton

‘The Ranch’ & ‘Saturday Morning Club’ by Claire Hubbard

‘Queue Jumpers’ by Tony Pickering

‘Date Night’ by Kyle McInnes

‘The Corner of Your Eye’ by Katherine Hemmings

‘Life in the Cheap Seats’ by Zu Dominiak

‘Night of the Exorcist’ by Craig Munro

‘Behind the Scenes’ & ‘Don’t Look Now’ by Olivia Todd

‘Fade to Black’ by Norrie Millar

Magic Torch Comics do not use AI in any part of the script process and we ask that our artists do not use generative AI in their work

Jean was dead, covered by a theatre cloth, and David was alive but unconscious.

A note was found near the scene referencing “the Better Land,” alongside a bottle of laudanum…

On the morning of August 6th, 1919, the bodies of Jean Crichton a theatre stall attendant, and her lover, David Gilchrist, an exsoldier in WW1, were discovered in a theatre box by cleaning staff.

Although early reports suggested he might survive, David ultimately died in hospital from his injuries

…and a revolver taken from the theatre’s dressing room

A second revolver was also missing, but later identified

The tragedy shocked the community.

Initial suspicions of a possible third party were quickly dismissed…

….and the owner of the weapon was not believed to have been involved.

Rumours, grief, mystery and morbid curiosity surrounded Jean’s funeral, drawing large crowds.

In later years, there were whispers of hauntings in the theatre, which continued long after it became a cinema...

Reel Reflections Behind the Scenes

Alongside the comic, the Reel Reflections team explored cinema heritage in other ways. Using a combination of traditional artistic methods and modern digital techniques such as digital modelling and 2D design, the team recreated historical cinema signage and architectural features. Tools including Nomad Sculpt, Sketchfab, Krita Animation, Procreate and Oculus headsets were central to this work.

Many of the archives and vintage photos provide only fragments of how these cinemas once looked. As a result, the content produced is not always an exact reproduction, but instead takes on a stylised and interpretive quality. To bring an interactive dimension to the project, the volunteers developed a VR representation of the Kings Theatre / Odeon. Whilst not fully historically accurate, the immersive experience offered a window into the past, transforming static 2D imagery into a vivid, accessible environment

One of the project volunteers, Dana, is a young refugee from Ukraine’s Oblast region. Now living in Inverclyde and studying Animation and 3D design at the University of Glasgow, Dana contributed both traditional artwork and digital 3D assets, some of which are displayed on the following pages.

An affectionate wander through some of Inverclyde’s cinema history, sharing memories of favourite films, long gone buildings and tall tales...