Cineplex Titania
Schlosstrasse 5-6,
Berlin
12163
Schlosstrasse 5-6,
Berlin
12163
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7 screens with 1223 seats now.
Thanks to Roloff for his photos this month, exterior & interior:
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A vintage photograph from c.1930:
http://flickr.com/photos/pyroll/1349610427/
Photographed in April 2007:
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More infos and photographs on this theater (and many others) can be found on the German language only Berlin Movie Theater Guide – www.kinokompendium.de: Titania Palast
Opened on 28th January 1928 to the designs of architects Ernst Schoffler, Carlo Schloenbach and Carl Jacobi, it had a seating capacity of 1,920 in orchestra and balcony levels. It had an organ, full stage facilities and a cafe. The sweeping curves of the proscenium arch were said to be the inspiration of the Gaumont Palace Theatre, at Wood Green in north London, UK which was built in 1934.
The Titania Palast was one of the great Berlin cinemas and the stage was put to good use, particulary after the war when it was the only large theatre in the city to remain un-damaged. Artists such as Yehudi Menuhin, Maria Callas, Josephine Baker, Zarah Leander, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Armstrong and Marlene Dietrich gave concerts. Weeks of variety, opera and ballet were also popular.
With the introduction of Cinemascope in 1953, the ceiling was lowered and the proscenium arch disappeared behind boarding and curtains. The last film was shown on 13th December 1965, then until the 9th January 1966 the opera “Die Fledermaus” was staged and the curtain fell for the last time.
A year later the building was up fo sale and BEWAG supermarkets moved in. The interior was ripped out and a floor built across from the front of the balcony. The ground floor was converted into shops, whilst from 1972 to 1994 the former balcony was used as a small theatre.
On 24th May 1995 the Titania Palast began screening films again. Five new screens had been formed in the upper parts of the auditorium and on the stage area. The entrance is now in the former stage house at the rear of the building (the original entrance is still in retail use, as is the former orchestra level). Current seating in the 5 screens is;1-396, 2-109, 3-210, 4-85, 5-103, making a total capacity of 903.
An early postcard photograph here. View link
Recent photographs here View link
Here a link to a short history of this outstanding theatre and to ancient photos of the stunning exterior and interior. http://www.gruenewald.gmxhome.de/