Exploring Petaling Street, I was excited to see this on the wall: REX CINEMA!!!
Eversince Rex was abandoned I was not able to locate it now I found it at Lorong Sultan 3
With undignified toilet signage on top!
Old, ugly, bare and stripped off its glory days
As usual, the hodge podge of colourful umbrellas that is Petaling Street
what does it serve as now? Why must stand alone cinemas be outdated?
REX CINEMA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Status: Open
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Unknown
Function: Movies
Seats: 1100
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown
View of Rex Theatre in 2003 Photo Courtesy of Augustine Heng
The original Rex Theatre burned down in the early 1970s and a new single screen, 1100-seat theater was erected in its place in 1976. The newer Rex's auditorium is not only larger, but it contains a balcony.
Later, the Rex became the first cinema in Malaysia to have a DTS sound system in 1993 in conjunction with the opening of Jurassic Park. The front foyer was revamped in 1995 and computerized ticketing was installed. Once operated by the Shaw Brothers, it has since been leased to Golden Screen Cinemas.
The Rex may be on the endangered list as several other older theaters have closed in the area. Although they are profitable, most operators are pushing for newer multiplexes.
Contributed by Valerie Kam
Fond memories of the Rex when I lived in KL in 1985-6 and seeing films such as Terms of Endearment and A Passage to India there. The booking patterns were always a bit of a shock with films you'd never expect ie Annie Hall, Frances, The King of Comedy in there for 1 or 2 day bookings as well. Needless to say, you would always come out into a Night Market and go into a dark alley nearby for some great fried noodles!
posted by SethLewis on Oct 9, 2003 at 5:37am
Where i used to hang out during the weekends in the early 80s. Remember watching the silly Police Academy films here as well as Flashdance. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to watch Annie Hall here. This cinema reminds me of the hot, steaming noodles available right at its doorsteps as well as the hustle and bustle of Petaling Street.
posted by keropok on Aug 1, 2005 at 3:01pm
There is a drawing of the Rex on this page:
http://www.kinema.uwaterloo.ca/white962.htm
posted by ken mc on May 22, 2007 at 9:42am
Huh...my first move i watched here was PRIVATE BENJAMIN back in 1982 in Dolby Stereo. Later equipped with DTS conjunction with opening Jurassic Park.
posted by rahman on Dec 21, 2007 at 1:18am
