There have been purpose-built cinemas ("theatres" being a term mainly reserved for live venues) in the UK generally, and London in particular, since the early years of the 20th century. In addition there were many converted theatres and Music Halls (a variety entertainment similar to Vaudeville).

The most concentrated period of cinema building was in the 1930s when the Odeon circuit alone claimed to be opening a cinema every week, although some of those were existing cinemas they bought and rebranded. This was the period when most of the grand "picture palaces" were built, each of them trying to outdo each other in opulence and often with exotic themes such as Middle Eastern or Oriental. Many others were designed in the then very futuristic Art Deco style.

Of course most were much smaller local cinemas and the more run-down were often, affectionately or not, referred to as fleapits or bug hutches. Incidentally, the 1950s British comedy "The Smallest Show on Earth" entertainingly portrays a fleapit and the contrasting Super-Cinema rival.

Cinemas, as well as many other places of entertainment, were briefly closed at the beginning of hostilities for fear of mass casualties during bombing raids but when they were reopened they were massively popular. Although some cinemas were bombed during the war many were rebuilt and most were anyway unscathed. Just after the war saw the highest ever cinema attendances.

American films were very popular and for the most part what was highly-rated in the US was similarly so in Britain - with the exception of films which obviously had less resonance, such as those about sports which weren't played in Britain or those which featured US politics.

British productions could be just as popular, with films made by Rank, Associated British, Gaumont-British, Korda and many smaller studios often topping the box office.

Seat prices varied widely depending on the location, level of comfort and prestige of the cinema. Unlike now, almost all films started out in a single cinema in the West End of London and then over a number of weeks the release was widened. The cinemas which were prestigious enough to have the major films first in each area could charge more.

And yes, refreshments were as popular in cinemas as they are now. Incidentally, popcorn in UK cinemas, especially freshly made, is a relatively recent offering - virtually unheard of before about the 1980s.

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Allen Eyles wrote several in-depth books on the histories of individual cinema chains as well as one specifically on London West End Cinemas.

http://cinema-theatre.org.uk/ Concentrates on cinema buildings.