BILLY McBain offers up a contrite face as the actor reveals the worst crime he has perpetrated in his life – stealing from his mother’s purse.

The actor was still wearing primary school shorts when he stole the cash. “I took the money and ran for the Mosspark Picture House,” he recalls, with a wry smile.

“You see, I loved the escapism of the movies. I loved to see the Coming Soon notices go up, and I would get so excited at the chance to see all the major stars, like Richard Widmark.

“And I guess this escape was welcome because things at home were difficult. My dad had left my mum and three brothers when I was eight.”

Twenty-odd years later, McBain found himself working with Widmark. “It was on a terrible film called Who Dares Wins, but I took the £800 a week and bit my lip until one morning Richard Widmark arrived on the set.

“And at the end of the shoot I told him about stealing money out of my mother’s purse to go to see him in The Long Ships. And being such a lovely man he seemed really interested.”

Sixties Glasgow was a bleak place but cinema could enhance and excite lives, especially for little boys who had to become a virtual father and look after three younger brothers.

The notion is captured in Billy McBain’s latest role Moving Pictures, running this week at Oran Mor. The actor stars alongside Matt Costello and Anne Kidd in Phillip Differ’s tale of two workmen charged with emptying a dilapidated cinema of its ‘rubbish’.

But the cinema contents evoke powerful memories.

McBain’s love for acting was clearly instilled as he sat in the cinema stalls in Glasgow’s South Side, although he wasn’t aware of it at the time.

Indeed, aged 18 he seemed destined for university, thanks to his 13 O levels and six Highers, but at the last minute he plumped for drama college.

However, despite being elated at the idea of joining the RSAMD, McBain reveals why he left after just six months.

“I had taken the acting-teaching course, rather than the straight acting course, to offer career security but most of the time I was being taught how to teach people to act rather than learning how to act. It was breaking my heart. And when I told the principal Johnny Groves I wasn’t happy he said ‘Then why don’t you just f*** off.’ And I did.”

He went on to sing in Spain and came back to work at the Pavilion variety theatre, appearing in Widow Krankie’s Hanky Panky. Yet, for a budding dramatic actor, wasn’t the Hanky Panky end of the business a step in the wrong direction?

“No, because I became pally with Chic Murray and Denny Willis. I watched Jack Milroy and was enthralled. And I loved the honesty of variety; if you were on and you were bad you knew exactly how good or bad you were.”

McBain went on to land the straight roles such as a lead role in 1981 television film Only A Game and was accepted by the RSC and the National.

But McBain walked. Again. He felt he wasn’t progressing. “I wouldn’t stay to take the pay cheque. If I weren’t cast I wouldn’t hang around.”

His principles were such he wouldn’t work on TV soaps. “I turned down EastEnders,” he admits. “I turned down the part Ross Davidson took as the silly nurse. And perhaps I should have taken the £200,000 a year for a while then left to do what I really wanted to do.”

McBain returned to straight theatre after a stint on an oil rig, and built on his solid reputation.

His performances and energy suggest a great confidence. And his career leitmotif has been about trying to improve, to make an impact. Yet, at times he still can’t quite believe he’s an actor, and he’s fearful he won’t always give his best.

“That’s why I hate the smell of pies,” he says, smiling. “I love playing Oran Mor but the theatre petrifies me. You’re so close to the audience and you really have to give your best.”

At least he’s working in a play with subject matter that’s close to the heart. “Yes, and I even get one line in which I mention Richard Widmark,” he says, his face beaming. “I really love that.”

Moving Pictures, Oran Mor, until Saturday