Remembering REX Cinema

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How many of you still remember Rex cinema, formerly located on Wayang Street? It doesn't exist any more, having been replaced by that colourful cineplex and carpark building.

As a kid and teenager growing up in Kuching, I remember watching some great movies in Rex. One that comes to mind is the musical "My Fair Lady" starring Audrey Hepburn. There were also gun-slinging westerns like "For a Few Dollars More" with a very youthful Clint Eastwood. Then there were a number of James Bond 007 movies, like "Goldfinger" and "Thunderbolt", starring Sean Connery.

For some of the more high-profile movies, there used to be extra picture boards with lighting put up above the frontage of the cinema, depicting images from the movie. I distinctly remember the board for "Thunderbolt" as well as the first "Airport" movie some years later.

The old Rex had no escalators and those who bought tickets to Circle seats had to walk up the stairs. I recall it was a rather narrow and winding staircase.

I'm looking for more photographs of Rex cinema (and for that matter of all other cinemas of old Kuching). The one you see below was kindly sent to me by Nick Chin and Philip Chin. It shows Rex in very early days, 1952 according to the caption.

Look at the style of dressing and also the models of cars. And notice the little cart on the left, probably a hawker selling sweets, seng boi and sotong.

Such interesting scenes from old Kuching....
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