Bassetlaw Museum is inviting visitors to explore the 1940s and 1950s fashions through its atmospheric Film Noir exhibition, 'Dressed to Kill'.
Using pieces from the museum’s fashion and textiles collection, the exhibition brings the era to life with sharp tailoring, elegant eveningwear and striking accessories that reflect the drama and glamour of classic noir cinema.
Visitors can explore outfits and accessories worn by local people such as Mrs Catherine Darley of Ranby Hall, including hats, gloves, shoes, handbags and eye-catching snakeskin-style leather heels. The display also features an outfit by Montague Burton, 'The Tailor of Taste', who was the first to establish a chain of tailor shops across the country.
A second exhibition, The Art of Cine, celebrates the history of amateur and local cinema from the 1920s to the 1970s. Highlights include the original ticket machine from the former Regal Cinema in Worksop, the iconic hand-operated Baby Pathé camera from the 1920s, and plans of former cinemas in Worksop, Retford, Langold and Harworth.
The exhibition also features cine equipment donated by local residents, including Roy Hoggard, whose first cine camera and projector are on display alongside a digitised version of a film he made in 1950.
With the summer holidays underway, the exhibitions offer families a chance to explore cinema history, see historic projectors and cameras, and discover how different they are from the digital technology we use today.
Collections Officer Kasia Wosiak said: “Our fashion exhibition recreates the distinctive style and atmosphere of the classic film noir era. The outfits on display would not have looked out of place on a Hollywood film set of the 1940s or 1950s. We have carefully styled each outfit drawing inspiration from film stills and editions of American Vogue,
The Art of Cine exhibition will appeal to anyone with an interest in local cinema history or the development of cinema more broadly, showcasing a fascinating collection of equipment, memorabilia and stories from a bygone age.”
The Art of Cine runs until the end of August, while Dressed to Kill continues until the new year at Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4.45pm. Admission is free. The museum is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, except during school holidays.
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Pictured: Roy Hoddard
Last Updated on Friday, July 31, 2026