CineSecrets: Uncovered footage shows the bustling Houghton of yesteryear

This bustling scene from the Houghton of the past is the focus of July’s CineSecrets.

Every month, we reveal a hidden gem showing historic Sunderland on film from the precious collections of the region’s North East Film Archive, with a treasure from its stores released on our website and Facebook page.

You’ll see the sights and sounds, the faces, changing landscapes and industries of the area. You’ll experience special events just as they happened and watch everyday lives and the region’s rich past unfold on screen.

See previous films:

Amazing footage of Sunderland FA Cup victory celebrations released by North East on Film projectPacked beaches in the golden days of Sunderland's seafront

Tell us your stories

If these films spark your own memories or you spot a familiar face, then please let us know. Any nuggets of information, or tales about the people or the locations featured all help to tell the amazing stories of our past – so pop them in the comments section below.

CineSecrets is just a tiny fragment of a vast catalogue of film collected and preserved by the North East Film Archive.

It’s part of North East Film Archive’s major new project North East on Film, which will re-connect the people and communities of the region with their film heritage and provide important glimpses into our history through special screenings, events and online collections.

CineSecrets: Sunderland has been specially curated with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Find out more about #NorthEastonFilm here

Questions to think about

This film shows at a day out in Houghton Le Spring in bygone days and we have three questions for you to think about:

Which street in Houghton is this?

Who owned the two cinemas pictured?

What year was this?

Watch our 60 second clip and test your memory. We’ll see you in one week where we reveal the CineSecrets answers - and share some of your comments!