No_5_January_and_February_and_March__1954 — Page 26

WAH THEATRE

Architect: Mr. lu Tak Lam

KAM WAR TUFALE

)(

Architect's perspective drawing of the new theatre.

every province in China.

The rapid and unprecedented de- the market and satisfying the de- Chinese pictures when they begin to velopment of industry in Hong Kong mand from Chinese who hail from make them in that medium. during the past few years, both in regard to the quantity and the varie-

The new theatre, which will be In Hong Kong, these locally pro- called the Kam Wah Theatre, will be ty of products manufactured, has

duced films have proved very popular situated at the corner of Canton been the subject of considerable favourable comment and publicity.

in the smaller theatres, which have Road and Pitt Street, and is being The Strangely enough,

sprung up throughout the Colony, designed by Mr. Iu Tak Lam. one industry which has been in

although there have been a number external appearance of the building a particularly flourishing condition in Hong Kong

of very excellent films exhibited in will be most impressive, for while it

and which normally thrives and de-

first-run theatres which normally ex- follows the trend of modern cinema pends on publicity has received com-

hibit American and European pic design, in that it possesses the strik- tures. paratively little notice. This is the

Now it is planned to erect a ing characteristics one expects in a theatre devoted production of moving pictures. The

principally to first- building which must attract atten- number of Chinese films being pro-

run local Chinese pictures which will tion to itself in order to impress its duced in Hong Kong at the present compare very favourably in size and function on the greatest number of time is quite amazing and there are appointment with our largest cine- people, it will have an almost classic

mas. The estimated cost a number of studios engaged in this

of this simplicity that knits the decorative industry in Hong Kong of such ex- building will be over $800,000.00, not embellishments into a structure of cellent quality as to create a demand including furniture and equipment. fine proportions and natural archi- for them from Chinese

and will accommodate just under tectural elements. communities all over the world. 2,000 people. The proscenium, which While a number of these films are will be 52 ft. wide, will enable the The main colour scheme of the produced in Cantonese, a consider- cinemascope or panoramic type of building is of green and buff, the able proportion is in the Mandarin screen to be installed when the whole ground floor, including the dialect thus extending the scope of equipment

to show canopy which surrounds the build-

speaking

is

required

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