History behind some well-known cinemas
LIBERTY CINEMA: Built in 1947, the Liberty takes its name from India’s independence, gained that same year. The real highlight is the 2,000-seat auditorium, with its illuminated stepped bands of cove lighting and three large recessed circles in the center of the ceiling.
Upstairs is a 42-seat theatre that is now used for film previews and private screenings.
Upstairs is a 42-seat theatre that is now used for film previews and private screenings.
METRO CINEMA: In 1938, Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer (MGM) acquired the land and built the cinema. The main architect of the cinema was Thomas W Lamb of New York. Located in the Dhobi Talao area, the Art Deco cinema opened on June 8, 1938, and initially exhibited movies made by MGM.
The interior, floors, walls, ceilings and furniture were in shades of red and pink. The marble foyer and staircases led up to murals executed by students of the JJ School of Art, under director Charles Gerard.
The interior, floors, walls, ceilings and furniture were in shades of red and pink. The marble foyer and staircases led up to murals executed by students of the JJ School of Art, under director Charles Gerard.
REGAL CINEMA: Located at Colaba Causeway, it opened in 1933, designed by Charles Stevens, the son of the famous 19th century architect, FW Stevens. Its interiors with extensive mirror-work were designed by Czech artist, Karl Schara.
The main auditorium had a motif of sunrays in pale orange and jade green. Its interiors were designed to create an impression of spaciousness in tandem with the modern simplicity of the exteriors.
The main auditorium had a motif of sunrays in pale orange and jade green. Its interiors were designed to create an impression of spaciousness in tandem with the modern simplicity of the exteriors.
EROS CINEMA: The cinema opened in 1938, designed by Shorabji Bhedwar. The Art Deco building, partially faced with red Agra sandstone, is painted cream. The two wings meet up in a central block.
The foyer is in white and black marble, with touches of gold. Marble staircases with chromium handrails lead up to the upper floor. The murals are in muted colours depicting Indian architectures.
The foyer is in white and black marble, with touches of gold. Marble staircases with chromium handrails lead up to the upper floor. The murals are in muted colours depicting Indian architectures.
BHARATMATA CINEMA: One of the oldest cinemas in Mumbai, it constitutes one of the few Marathi cinemas that has sur- vived. The ambience is very different with its rickety wooden benches, which lend a special old-wordly charm to this place.
CAPITOL CINEMA: It is one of Mumbai’s oldest theatres, located just opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It is among the few cinema halls in Mumbai that has Victorian Gothic architecture.
EDWARD THEATRE: The Edward Theatre opened in 1918 and is still going strong. It shows latest Hindi movies and has an impressive sound clarity with good projection quality.