"The Astra" cinema, RAF Little Sai Wan [1958-????]

Submitted by David on Wed, 02/06/2019 - 20:29
Current condition
Demolished / No longer exists
Date completed
(Day & Month are approximate.)

The cinema run for the RAF men stationed here.

Andrew Suddaby notes that it opened in the summer of 1958.

Position of marker is approximate.

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We've got this ticket for "RAF Litlle Sai Wan Station Cinema" from Bill Watson. It must have been from 1954 or 1955, the years he was stationed in Hong Kong. So before the purpose-built Astra cinema opened in 1958, some other room must have been used as a cinema.

Ephemera b.
Ephemera b., by Bill Watson

Yes, before the purpose built cinema was built in 1958, the Airmen's Mess hall was used, with all the tables being put to one side.  The projector windows are visible on this image but during my time there in 1957/8 only one projector was in use and we had to wait after each spool had finished while he re-wound it and inserted the next reel of film.  Just occasionally he got the reels in the wrong order - which caused much amusement. 

 Airmen's Mess Christmas 1957
Airmen's Mess Christmas 1957, by Andrew Suddaby