SUMMARY: In this fascinating interview with Sid Cole and Roy Fowler at Rockett’s home in Glebelands (the CTBF rest home), Rockett gives a rare insight into the trade from the exhibitors’ point of view. He discusses the life of the Area manager, detailing particularly the gala opening of South Pacific (1958) at the Manchester Gaumont, and incidents surrounding the 1956 screening of Rock Around the Clock (1956) at Whitley Bay (in which he had to deal with a local press eager to manufacture a ‘teenage’ reaction which could have threatened the films’ local certification). Rockett talks about the importance of publicity and ‘showmanship’ and the crucial relationships between the local cinema manager, the press, the local community and the local authorities (the Watch Committees). He recalls some of the anomalies of the local licensing system (particularly in Sale, near Manchester). He gives a good description of the levels of staffing at a ‘typical’ cinema in the 1930s, and the changes that occurred in exhibition during the post war era. His assessment of John Davis (Managing Director of Rank), and of the Quota system, make particularly refreshing reading, underlining the differences in outlook between the production and exhibition sectors. (Lawrence Napper, BCHRP)