Cinema Royal

Cinema Royal was a movie theater located at Nieuwendijk 154-156 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a rear entrance at Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 10. It opened on 8 February 1922 and was designed by architects Harry Elte and Gerard F. Mastenbroek. Built in 1921-1922, it was notable for its large capacity of 1,400 seats, making it one of the bigger cinemas of its time. The facade featured decorative masonry and stained-glass windows, while the interior was decorated in an 'oriental style' by De Bijenkorf. The auditorium was characterized by simplicity and sobriety, though a weekly magazine Het Leven praised its balcony and elegant electric chandeliers. The cinema catered primarily to local residents from lower income groups, small shopkeepers, and laborers, offering low admission prices. It was known for stage performances during intermissions, featuring jugglers, acrobats, singers, and full orchestras. Organist Bernard Drukker played the concert organ from 1926, accompanying hundreds of films until 1932. After a fire, the cinema was demolished in 1978 and the site later became a meat market hall; the entire complex was demolished in the mid-1990s for new construction.

Cinema Royal was a movie theater in Amsterdam, located at Nieuwendijk 154-156 with a rear entrance at Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 10. It opened on 8 February 1922. The design was by Harry Elte and Gerard F. Mastenbroek. The cinema was built in 1921-1922 with 1,400 seats, a large number for the time. The facade featured decorative masonry and stained-glass windows. The interior was decorated in an 'oriental style' and supplied by De Bijenkorf. The facade was mostly brick and sober, though with some decorations. The large auditorium was also characterized by simplicity and sobriety. Weekly magazine Het Leven wrote enthusiastically: 'The balcony is like a separate theater, a huge piece of space. Beautiful electric chandeliers give a distinguished yet calm light during the interval.' Jan Roosenkrans, operator and later chief operator of Royal, found the five or six pillars in the large auditorium obstructive to the view. The public was not deterred when good films were shown. Algemeen Handelsblad noted on 19 February 1922 with satisfaction that 'despite all malaise, this is a hall entirely in bronze tints.' Cinema Royal focused on local residents, mainly people from lower income groups, small shopkeepers, and laborers. Due to low admission prices, many could visit the large popular theater and receipts were high. The directors of Royal were real businessmen. Director Nathan Bierman recalled in an interview on the occasion of the 12.5-year anniversary in September 1934 in Het Volk: 'We had three classes - first, second, third - but when it was busy we made everything first class. They sat from the back to the front row all first class at eighty cents. Children? Two on one chair.' During intermissions, stage performances were given by various artists such as jugglers, acrobats, singers, and complete orchestras. In 1926, organist Bernard Drukker joined Cinema Royal and played the concert organ there. From 1925 to 1932 he accompanied hundreds of films. After the arrival of sound films, he stayed on for a few more years as an accompanist for variety artists, and also provided the weekly community singing in the theater. After a fire, the cinema was demolished in 1978. Cinema Royal changed after demolition into a meat market hall. In the mid-1990s, the entire complex was demolished to make way for new construction.

• 1990

  The entire complex was demolished in the mid-1990s for new construction.

• 1978

  After a fire, the cinema was demolished.

• 1934

  Cinema Royal celebrated its 12.5-year anniversary.

• 1926

  Organist Bernard Drukker joined Cinema Royal.

• 1922

  Cinema Royal opened on 8 February 1922.

A popular neighborhood cinema offering affordable entertainment for the local working-class community.

Product categories. Film screenings · Live stage performances during intermissions

1. 1Cinema Royal (Amsterdam) - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cinema Royal - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3The Old Cinema: London's antique & vintage department storetheoldcinema.co.uk
4. 4Our Story | The Old Cinematheoldcinema.co.uk