The photograph reflected concerning this entry, is definitely not that of Cape Town’s Plaza Theatre built in the early 1930’s, and which was renamed Metro in the mid 1950’s.
What has happened to the original factual comments concerning this theatre?
OTCF
commented about
Kine 1 & 2on
May 18, 2015 at 9:07 am
I do agree with your comment that the cinema was twinned during the early 1970’s and not the early 1980’s. Thanks for the correct info.
The exact location of the British Bioscope was on the corner of Caledon and (the now gone) Cannon Streets. The Cape Technikon now occupies the original site.
The address given as Strand Road Kuils River is unfortunately incorrect, as seen on the Google map. It shows similarly named, Strand Street. The Correct address is Van Riebeeck Road, Kuils River.
The cinema’s name ‘Alabama’ was probably derived from an incident that occurred during the American Civil War.
On 7th August 1863, large crowds gathered on Signal Hill overlooking Cape Town and Table Bay, to see the arrival of the Confederated raider ‘Alabama’ with the captured Northern barque ‘Sea Bride'in tow.
The Alabama’s commander (Captain Raphael Semmes) and
crew were welcomed by the people of Cape Town and the Alabama event later became a legend and eventually found its way into song.
In Cape Town especially in the Bo-Kaap (Upper Cape Town) the Cape Town Minstrels still sing their traditional song ‘Daar kom die Alabama’ (There comes the Alabama).
The Alabama Cinema was situated in the vicinity of the Bo-Kaap hence the name.
For some sober thoughts on the last days of the Labia’s projection booth watch this excellent film. http://philipbloom.net/film/portrait-of-a-projectionist/
About the “arrangement with another cinema situated in close proximity whereby reels were ferried between the two”. Could the other cinema have been the Kritz cinema which was situated further down Lansdowne Road near Lansdowne Station?
OTCF
commented about
Kine 1 & 2on
Mar 13, 2008 at 7:25 pm
The advertisement for the Van Riebeeck Theatre on page 8 in the Cape Argus of May 12, 1954 and on Page 10 of the Argus of May 27, 1957 very clearly states that the Van Riebeeck Theatre is “A 20th Century-Fox Theatre”.
The Colosseum Theatre was built about 1937, on the site of Wolfram’s Bioscope which was situated at No.1 St.George’s Street Cape Town. Wolfram’s was one of Cape Town’s first purpose built cinemas, and situated adjacent to the Promenade Cinema Tearoom at No.3 St.George’s Street.
In 1929, the Alhambra Theatre acquired its name from an earlier cinema across the street situated at 4 Riebeek Street, to suit it’s Moorish architectural theme. The original “Alhambra” in turn acquired the new name “Royal Theatre”.
The Colosseum Theatre was situated at 3, St. George’s Street (corner of St. George’s and Riebeek Streets) Cape Town in the Commonwealth Building. It was built in the Art Deco style and had stalls and raised stalls seating.
The Theatre was closed in the late 70'. The department store (Clicks)now occupies the space in the Commonwealth Building.
note: The “Colosseum” is not to confused with the earlier “Coliseum” which was a smaller cinema (bioscope) situated in the suburb of Salt River and built in 1926.
The photograph reflected concerning this entry, is definitely not that of Cape Town’s Plaza Theatre built in the early 1930’s, and which was renamed Metro in the mid 1950’s. What has happened to the original factual comments concerning this theatre?
I do agree with your comment that the cinema was twinned during the early 1970’s and not the early 1980’s.
Thanks for the correct info.
This cinema was situated at 11, Sir Lowry Road Cape Town
The exact location of the British Bioscope was on the corner of Caledon and (the now gone) Cannon Streets. The Cape Technikon now occupies the original site.
The address given as Strand Road Kuils River is unfortunately incorrect, as seen on the Google map. It shows similarly named, Strand Street. The Correct address is Van Riebeeck Road, Kuils River.
The cinema’s name ‘Alabama’ was probably derived from an incident that occurred during the American Civil War.
On 7th August 1863, large crowds gathered on Signal Hill overlooking Cape Town and Table Bay, to see the arrival of the Confederated raider ‘Alabama’ with the captured Northern barque ‘Sea Bride'in tow.
The Alabama’s commander (Captain Raphael Semmes) and crew were welcomed by the people of Cape Town and the Alabama event later became a legend and eventually found its way into song.
In Cape Town especially in the Bo-Kaap (Upper Cape Town) the Cape Town Minstrels still sing their traditional song ‘Daar kom die Alabama’ (There comes the Alabama).
The Alabama Cinema was situated in the vicinity of the Bo-Kaap hence the name.
For some sober thoughts on the last days of the Labia’s projection booth watch this excellent film. http://philipbloom.net/film/portrait-of-a-projectionist/
The correct address of this Protea Cinema is Main Street
Paarl, South Africa.
About the “arrangement with another cinema situated in close proximity whereby reels were ferried between the two”. Could the other cinema have been the Kritz cinema which was situated further down Lansdowne Road near Lansdowne Station?
The advertisement for the Van Riebeeck Theatre on page 8 in the Cape Argus of May 12, 1954 and on Page 10 of the Argus of May 27, 1957 very clearly states that the Van Riebeeck Theatre is “A 20th Century-Fox Theatre”.
The Colosseum Theatre was built about 1937, on the site of Wolfram’s Bioscope which was situated at No.1 St.George’s Street Cape Town. Wolfram’s was one of Cape Town’s first purpose built cinemas, and situated adjacent to the Promenade Cinema Tearoom at No.3 St.George’s Street.
In 1929, the Alhambra Theatre acquired its name from an earlier cinema across the street situated at 4 Riebeek Street, to suit it’s Moorish architectural theme. The original “Alhambra” in turn acquired the new name “Royal Theatre”.
The Colosseum Theatre was situated at 3, St. George’s Street (corner of St. George’s and Riebeek Streets) Cape Town in the Commonwealth Building. It was built in the Art Deco style and had stalls and raised stalls seating.
The Theatre was closed in the late 70'. The department store (Clicks)now occupies the space in the Commonwealth Building.
note: The “Colosseum” is not to confused with the earlier “Coliseum” which was a smaller cinema (bioscope) situated in the suburb of Salt River and built in 1926.