Great World Theatre [1952-1972]. Given its fresh appearance on the outside, this photo was likely taken in the early 1950s perhaps near opening day. On the left is the start of Lai Chi Kok Road, and a car garage was operating at that time and providing car-wash service. A few times I entered the theatre using the small entrance on the far left partially blocked by the raised car. Sweet memories.
Source: uwants.com - post #2167 by user Ken - http://www.uwants.com/viewthread.php?tid=14833421&page=145#pid215175102
Date picture taken
unknown
Shows place(s)
Comments
Film Week End With Fathers
Zoom in on the lower middle just above the car, and we see the film's name called Week-End With Fathers. The IMDb site gives the screening date as 1951, before the opening date of the theatre written here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044199/).
In response to OldTimer, the Chinese words spread across the facade of the theatre could refer to something about the grand opening, then again it could also be a film's name.
It is also possible that back in the days some western films were shown after a delay, so maybe a late 1951 film was shown in early 1952, validating all the dates cited here.
breskvar
Great World Theatre
Thanks breskvar for the feedback.
In those days, Chinese ads read from right to left and this was the case. Reading from left to right makes little sense and sounds odd. My rusty Chinese tells me the second word is door and the last three words mean "for thee (to) open, or open for thee", thee a courteous word to address a man in literature, poems and songs. The art work below the words shows an actor and actress it appears.
Some western movies come with seven-word title. In 1953 (about) I watched at Broadway (Mong Kok) Rawhide starring Tyrone Power and Susan Haywood, who were already famous in Hong Kong by then. I always remember the movie by its Chinese name 無情荒地有情天. Regards, Peter
The film Chinese title…
The film Chinese title should read 蓬門今始為君開 from right to left. English title ' The Quiet Man' , a 1952 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara.
"The Quiet Man" - film title in Chinese
Thank you jtbcheung for the full title in Chinese. The theatre's translator must be a fan of Chinese poetry - this one line taken from "Guest Arrival" by the poet Du Fu. The title is romantic. The poem is about the thoughts of a poor home owner who welcomes a traveller and invites him in for chat and a drink -my quick read from the book of 300 Tang Dynasty poems. Regards, Peter
Film Chinese Titles
In those days, most of the Chinese titles for western films had no connection with the English titles. So people who made the Chinese titles shouldn't be called translators. They were all well versed with Chinese poems and chose the one which best suit the contents of the film.
‘The Quiet Man’ won two…
‘The Quiet Man’ won two Academy Awards as alluded to on the billboard. The 25th Academy Awards were held on 19th March 1953 which means this photo was taken shortly after that date.
The Gala Premiere for 'The Quiet Man' at the Great World was on Thursday 14th May 1953. The movie ran until Sunday 24th May 1953. Then the next change was 'Weekend with Father' from Monday 25th May 1953. Thus the photo shows the dismantling of the billboard for 'The Quiet Man' so the image was taken on the week beginning from Monday 25th May 1953
Source: The China Mail, page 3, 23rd May 1953