Before World War 2 ,although the Alhambra Theatre was a first run movie theatre, a few selected Cantonese language movies as well as Mandarin language movies were also shown in this theatre.
On 20th February,“An American in Paris”[Chinese Translation:花都艷舞] was shown in the original Queen’s Theatre and the Alhambra Theatre on the Kowloon Peninsula .
After the demolition of East Town Theatre[of Hong Kong]in February 1974,I felt very sad too.
The East Town theatre was the few theatres in Hong Kong which can shown movie in 70mm version.I still remembered that I saw THE GREAT RACE[70mm version]ã€MY FAIR LADY[70mm version]ã€THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE[70 mm version]ã€WOODSTOCKã€GODFATHER 1ã€THE GREAT ESCAPEã€THE WILD BUNCH[70mm version] IT’S A MADã€MADã€MADã€MAD WORLD……in this
theatre.
I like East Town Theatre [æ±åŸŽæˆ²é™¢]and have fond memory of it too.
According to an article published by the China Mail[of Hong Kong] on 1st February,1934,We[the Alhambra Theatre of Hong Kong]have the benefit of RCA Victor “High Fidelity” sound apparatus similar to that installed in the luxurious Roxy theatre in New York.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
On 21st September,1945,the ticket prices of the orginal Queen’s Theatre are 20 centsã€50 centsã€$1.00ã€$1.50 Hong Kong Dollar.Servicemen in uniform:70 cents[back stalls].
Sources:according to an advertisement published by the China Mail on 21st September,1945.
In the 1950s,the normal admission prices of the Alhambra Theatre are from $1.50[front stalls] to $3.50[dress circle] Hong Kong Dollar.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
Supplement 3:—
According to advertisements published in both Chinese and English language newspapers,the regulated admission prices of “Gone with the Wind” being shown in the Alhambra Theatre and the Queen’s Theatre are :—75 centsã€$1.10ã€$2.20ã€$3.30 and $4.40 Hong Kong Dollar.
The showing time of the film is 2.30pm and 8pm.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
Supplement 2:—
According to an article published by the evening newspaper “ the China Mail”,the normal admission prices of the Alhambra Theatre[平安戲院] in 1934 is from 35 cents[front stalls] to $1.50[for the loges and boxes] Hong Kong Dollar.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
Supplement:—
The Alhambra Theatre was opened by Mr R.H.Kotewall on the night of 31th January,1934.Before World War 2,the theatre was managed by “Hong Kong Amusements Ltd”.
Hong Kong Amusements Ltd.managed over 70 theatres throghout China before World War 2.
Hong Kong Amusements Ltd.,according to a news report published by a English newspaper of Hong Kong,“is now running in this Colony nine cinema theatres,of which the largest are the Queen’s and the Alhambra."
Raymond Lo/21 st May,2005
If the webmaster can contact Sing Pao[æˆå ±] of Hong Kong SAR,Cinema Treasures may have the possibility to obtain the photograph of the orginal Queen’s Theatre taken by the photographer of Sing Pao just after its closure.The web site of Sing Pao is www.singpao.com
The second Queen’s Theatre was on the same site of the original Queen’s Theatre.
The second Queen’s Theatre[original one] had a seating capacity of 902.Some famous US movies of the 1960s,such as “My Fair Lady”[70mm version],“The Sound of Music”……were shown in this theatre.From 1970s onwards,the theatre shown mainly Chinese movies ,such as those acted and/or directed by Bruce Lee.
Recently,the stall area of the second Queen’s Theatre had been converted into a Japanese style restaurant with only the dress circle served as a mini cinema[with a seating capacity of 303 [?]].Recently ,I heard a sad news that the second Queen’s Theatre may be demolished in the near future.What a sad news!
Following is the news of the opening of the original Queen’s Theatre.
“Hoi Mun Tai Kut”[Open the door and have a good future],said the Hon.Mr R.H.Kotewall as he performed the opening ceremony at the Queen’s Theatre this afternoon,this being thr time honouring Chinese expression used on such occasions.
as the main doors were thrown open,Mr.Kotewall was ushered into the body of the theatre to the strains of an orchesttra after which a long string of firecrackers were let off in the road to acclaim the auspicious event.
With Mr.Kotewall were Mr.Li Po JKwai,Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce,directors of the Po Leung Kuk[a public welfare organization] and the Tung Wah Hospital ,a leading Chinese institutions.
After performing the open ceremony,Mr.Kotewall congratuated Mr.Ma Tsui Chin upon the fine architectural style of the imposing building and its very comfortable internal arrangements.He said that he would like to the opportunity to say something which had been near his heart.as cinematograph pictures have a great educational value,and can either do enomorous good or harm to society according to their character,he hoped that the management would exercise care in the selection of pictures,especially those for exhibition at matinees and early evening performances,so that the young generation will derive benefit from them.in concluding,he wished Queen’s Theatre unqualified success.
Mr Kotewall jocularly referred to the popularity of the cinema with Chinese.a friend had told him,MrKotewall remarked,that there were five times as many Chinese who visited the cinemas as there were that patronised the Chinese stage.
His Excellency the Governor had not arrived when our editors went to press.
30th April ,1924/China Mail[?]/Sources:the web site of the Central Public Library of Hong Kong SAR.
completely wrong.
The theatre shown is Queen’s Theatre[1st generation].
Queen’s Theatre[1st generation]opened on 1st of May,1924.The opening advertisement published on 30th April 1924 in the English newspaper"Hong Kong Telegraph" stated that:“The largest and finest theatre in the Colony”.The first film being shown in the brand new Queen’s Theatre[1st generation]is “The Hero”.The film being shown from 6th May through 8th May is “Daughters of the Rich”[in 6 parts].
Before and after World War 2 ,Queen’s Theatre[1st generation] was one of the most famous theatre in the Colony.“Gone with the Wind”
was premiered in this theatre on 29th October,1940.
During World war 2 ,Hong Kong was under the occupation of the Japanese Army,the theatre was renamed as “ Meiji Theatre”.
After the surrender of the Japanese Army, the theatre was re-opened on 21 st September,1945.The first film being shown after the War is “Rose of Washington of Rose”.Before it was closed on 1 st July,1958,it was mainly paired with the Alhambra Theatre[another famous theatre of the Colony.Alhambra theatre is on the Kowloon Peninsula of Hong Kong,just a short distance from the Golden Mile of Nathan Road.]to show first run western movies.The famous films being shown,to name a few,include :Singing in the rain,The Spirit of St.Louis,Woman of the River,The Best Years of Our Lives,Young at Heart,Suspicion,The Giant……
The Queen’s Theatre[1 st generation] has a seating capacity of 1200,with stall,dress circle and upper circle.
Marian Anderson performed in this theatre on 18th September,1957.
The address of this theatre was Queen’s Road Central,Central District,Hong Kong Island,Hong Kong.
The Queen’s Theatre[ 2 nd generation] was opened on July,1961,with a seating capacity of 902,with stall and dress circle only.
Supplement 6:—
According to an sdvertisement published by the China Mail on 29th September,1934:—
The House of Premier Showings of the Best Pictures at the Most Popular Prices
Nathan Road/Kowloon
“The World Changes”
Added Specialities
Horac Heidt and his Califorian’s Orchestra and “Bosko’s Party” Cartoon
Supplement 3:—
According to an advertisement published by an English language newspaper on 14th December,1938:–
Tonight at 9.20pm
HongKong Philharmonic Society Presents
“Ruddigore"
Gilbert and Sullivan’s Opera
Prices:$3.30ã€$2.20 and $1.10 including tax
Today for one day only
3 shows at 2.30pmã€5.15pm and 7.20pm only
“The invisible Man” with Claude Rains and Gloria Stuart
Raymond Lo/26th May,2005
Supplement 5:—
Before World War 2 ,although the Alhambra Theatre was a first run movie theatre, a few selected Cantonese language movies as well as Mandarin language movies were also shown in this theatre.
Supplement 2:—
On 20th February,“An American in Paris”[Chinese Translation:花都艷舞] was shown in the original Queen’s Theatre and the Alhambra Theatre on the Kowloon Peninsula .
I understand your sorrow.
After the demolition of East Town Theatre[of Hong Kong]in February 1974,I felt very sad too.
The East Town theatre was the few theatres in Hong Kong which can shown movie in 70mm version.I still remembered that I saw THE GREAT RACE[70mm version]ã€MY FAIR LADY[70mm version]ã€THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE[70 mm version]ã€WOODSTOCKã€GODFATHER 1ã€THE GREAT ESCAPEã€THE WILD BUNCH[70mm version] IT’S A MADã€MADã€MADã€MAD WORLD……in this
theatre.
I like East Town Theatre [æ±åŸŽæˆ²é™¢]and have fond memory of it too.
According to an article published by the China Mail[of Hong Kong] on 1st February,1934,We[the Alhambra Theatre of Hong Kong]have the benefit of RCA Victor “High Fidelity” sound apparatus similar to that installed in the luxurious Roxy theatre in New York.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
Supplement:—
On 21st September,1945,the ticket prices of the orginal Queen’s Theatre are 20 centsã€50 centsã€$1.00ã€$1.50 Hong Kong Dollar.Servicemen in uniform:70 cents[back stalls].
Sources:according to an advertisement published by the China Mail on 21st September,1945.
Supplement 4:—
In the 1950s,the normal admission prices of the Alhambra Theatre are from $1.50[front stalls] to $3.50[dress circle] Hong Kong Dollar.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
Supplement 3:—
According to advertisements published in both Chinese and English language newspapers,the regulated admission prices of “Gone with the Wind” being shown in the Alhambra Theatre and the Queen’s Theatre are :—75 centsã€$1.10ã€$2.20ã€$3.30 and $4.40 Hong Kong Dollar.
The showing time of the film is 2.30pm and 8pm.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
Supplement 2:—
According to an article published by the evening newspaper “ the China Mail”,the normal admission prices of the Alhambra Theatre[平安戲院] in 1934 is from 35 cents[front stalls] to $1.50[for the loges and boxes] Hong Kong Dollar.
Raymond Lo/22nd May,2005
Supplement:—
The Alhambra Theatre was opened by Mr R.H.Kotewall on the night of 31th January,1934.Before World War 2,the theatre was managed by “Hong Kong Amusements Ltd”.
Hong Kong Amusements Ltd.managed over 70 theatres throghout China before World War 2.
Hong Kong Amusements Ltd.,according to a news report published by a English newspaper of Hong Kong,“is now running in this Colony nine cinema theatres,of which the largest are the Queen’s and the Alhambra."
Raymond Lo/21 st May,2005
Queen’s Theatre,either the orginal one or the second one, is a single screen theatre ,not a twin one.
The orginal Queen’s Theatre had a famous coffee shop “Savoy” on the mezzanine floor of the theatre building.
If the webmaster can contact Sing Pao[æˆå ±] of Hong Kong SAR,Cinema Treasures may have the possibility to obtain the photograph of the orginal Queen’s Theatre taken by the photographer of Sing Pao just after its closure.The web site of Sing Pao is www.singpao.com
The address of Queen’s Theatre is Queen’s Road Central,not Queens Road Central.
The name of the theatre is Queen’s Theatre,not Queens Theatre.
The second Queen’s Theatre was on the same site of the original Queen’s Theatre.
The second Queen’s Theatre[original one] had a seating capacity of 902.Some famous US movies of the 1960s,such as “My Fair Lady”[70mm version],“The Sound of Music”……were shown in this theatre.From 1970s onwards,the theatre shown mainly Chinese movies ,such as those acted and/or directed by Bruce Lee.
Recently,the stall area of the second Queen’s Theatre had been converted into a Japanese style restaurant with only the dress circle served as a mini cinema[with a seating capacity of 303 [?]].Recently ,I heard a sad news that the second Queen’s Theatre may be demolished in the near future.What a sad news!
Thank you .
Following is the news of the opening of the original Queen’s Theatre.
“Hoi Mun Tai Kut”[Open the door and have a good future],said the Hon.Mr R.H.Kotewall as he performed the opening ceremony at the Queen’s Theatre this afternoon,this being thr time honouring Chinese expression used on such occasions.
as the main doors were thrown open,Mr.Kotewall was ushered into the body of the theatre to the strains of an orchesttra after which a long string of firecrackers were let off in the road to acclaim the auspicious event.
With Mr.Kotewall were Mr.Li Po JKwai,Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce,directors of the Po Leung Kuk[a public welfare organization] and the Tung Wah Hospital ,a leading Chinese institutions.
After performing the open ceremony,Mr.Kotewall congratuated Mr.Ma Tsui Chin upon the fine architectural style of the imposing building and its very comfortable internal arrangements.He said that he would like to the opportunity to say something which had been near his heart.as cinematograph pictures have a great educational value,and can either do enomorous good or harm to society according to their character,he hoped that the management would exercise care in the selection of pictures,especially those for exhibition at matinees and early evening performances,so that the young generation will derive benefit from them.in concluding,he wished Queen’s Theatre unqualified success.
Mr Kotewall jocularly referred to the popularity of the cinema with Chinese.a friend had told him,MrKotewall remarked,that there were five times as many Chinese who visited the cinemas as there were that patronised the Chinese stage.
His Excellency the Governor had not arrived when our editors went to press.
30th April ,1924/China Mail[?]/Sources:the web site of the Central Public Library of Hong Kong SAR.
The exterior looks like the Grand Theatre [大光明]of Shanghai.
“Rose of Washington of Rose” should be “Rose of Washington Square”.Sorry for the mistake being made.
completely wrong.
The theatre shown is Queen’s Theatre[1st generation].
Queen’s Theatre[1st generation]opened on 1st of May,1924.The opening advertisement published on 30th April 1924 in the English newspaper"Hong Kong Telegraph" stated that:“The largest and finest theatre in the Colony”.The first film being shown in the brand new Queen’s Theatre[1st generation]is “The Hero”.The film being shown from 6th May through 8th May is “Daughters of the Rich”[in 6 parts].
Before and after World War 2 ,Queen’s Theatre[1st generation] was one of the most famous theatre in the Colony.“Gone with the Wind”
was premiered in this theatre on 29th October,1940.
During World war 2 ,Hong Kong was under the occupation of the Japanese Army,the theatre was renamed as “ Meiji Theatre”.
After the surrender of the Japanese Army, the theatre was re-opened on 21 st September,1945.The first film being shown after the War is “Rose of Washington of Rose”.Before it was closed on 1 st July,1958,it was mainly paired with the Alhambra Theatre[another famous theatre of the Colony.Alhambra theatre is on the Kowloon Peninsula of Hong Kong,just a short distance from the Golden Mile of Nathan Road.]to show first run western movies.The famous films being shown,to name a few,include :Singing in the rain,The Spirit of St.Louis,Woman of the River,The Best Years of Our Lives,Young at Heart,Suspicion,The Giant……
The Queen’s Theatre[1 st generation] has a seating capacity of 1200,with stall,dress circle and upper circle.
Marian Anderson performed in this theatre on 18th September,1957.
The address of this theatre was Queen’s Road Central,Central District,Hong Kong Island,Hong Kong.
The Queen’s Theatre[ 2 nd generation] was opened on July,1961,with a seating capacity of 902,with stall and dress circle only.
What a good news.
Greeting from a lonely cinema researcher in Hong Kong.