Cinemas of Yesteryears in Sibu

This is the Palace Theatre. It was a big theatre and very stately. Many people enjoyed going to the theatre for good movies.

the Lido was owned by the Foochows and was built before the Second World War. My grandfather was one of the first owners. Later the Foochow group sold the cinema to Dr. Chiu Nai Ding, who then sold to the Shaw Brothers. At the beginning only Indian movies were shown, and my mother lived in one of the apartments agove the cinema when my father was the temporary manager. Later my father was given a job with my grand father and my parents moved to Pulau Kerto to look after the Ice Factory, where I was born,

this is the Rex Cinema of Sibu. It was considered a small cinema and was also owned by a group of Foochow men. Many film stars came to promote their movies. 

Interestingly Rex Cinema was used by the British Military Administration to raise money for social welfare. Some funds were raised to help build the MacCarthy Lodge, a home for the Aged in Sibu. In fact Dr. Chee Suk Chew led the Sibu Chinese Community together with the army personnel raised more funds through a lottery and film shows.

The Cathay Cinema was built much later. When it started operation, people were so happy because it was air conditioned and every one enjoyed going there. However when people smoked in the cinema every one had a head ache.

We were all very friendly with the door man so that we could sneak in with just one ticket for three or four kids. The reserved seats were very good but we often met the Roman Catholic priests who spent most evenings watching English movies.

Those were the days. Great memories.