God Save The Queen

Back in the colonial era, it was common to see symbols of the British regime around. In the 1950s, Queen's Theatre, located on the Queen's Road, opposite to King's Theatre, would play the British National Anthem after screenings. Most of the audience would solemnly wait for the Anthem to finish before leaving. Princess Theatre at Kowloon also played the Anthem, and even played a clip of the Queen riding on a white horse in her military uniform, a routine they kept till the very last day of operation.

Separate Screenings For Men And Women

Older movie fans would probably recall the stir caused by The Story of Birth in August 1949. Cinemas at the time insisted that no one under the age of 18 would be admitted. On 14 December, Because of Eve was shown at Roxy Theatre and Majestic Theatre. Because of the nude scenes in the film, not only underage audience were refused entry, but the management even went as far as organising separate screenings for male and female viewers. One screening was organised exclusively for women and another three for men.

Spooky Stories

Ghost stories are probably the most perennially popular tales about cinemas. East Town Theatre in Wan Chai is the most haunted among all, probably something to do with the fact that it was located at where the International Funeral Parlour once was. New Imperial Theatre was also located at where the Hong Kong Funeral Home used to be, but it rarely had similar rumours. Ghost stories about theatres are mostly canard but are harmless fun nevertheless.

Ticket To A Free Ride

In May 1922, it was reported that Star Theatre at Tsim Sha Tsui, to celebrate its grand opening, gave out ferry tickets to moviegoers. Alhambra Theatre on Nathan Road also offered a similar deal. Its advertisement stated that ferry fares would be waived for audience coming from the Hong Kong Island.

Win A Car On Your Way Out

Lucky draw is inevitably the most effective marketing tool of all time. Some Cantonese films back in the 1940s already gave out radios, torchlights and wristwatches. In January 1957, Rialto Theatre and Zenith Theatre formed a new Mandarin film cinema circuit. Together with four other production companies, they organised a mega lucky draw to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The first prize was a Ford auto. A moviegoer who purchased a low price ticket at the front stalls of Rialto Theatre ended up winning a car worth $8,000.