PIN098

The Princess Theatre was situated in the Tsim Sha Tsui district on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong.

An opening advertisement of the theatre published by the China Mail on 8th December,1952 boasted:

“The most exquisite and up-to-date cinema in the Colony. For luxurious comfort and enjoyment. Featuring best first-run pictures. Latest projection and sound equipment. Specially designed body-contoured seats. Accoustic-plastered interior. Delightful service and moderate prices”.

It opened to business on 10th December, 1952 with “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder” and showed first-run English language films until 1970.

The theatre was built and run by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Entertainment Company, a company run by the family of Sir Hotung. Sir Hotung was a famous businessman and philanthropist of Hong Kong in the last century.

The theatre building had shops, offices and a restaurant in the front part, while the well-designed auditorium had perfect sight lines in the rear. It was equipped with the latest film equipment of the early 1950’s.

On 9th June, 1964, The Beatles appeared at the theatre for two performances.
From 1960 until 1971, the anniversary celebrations of the Republic of China were held at the theatre.

On 3rd October 1970, the theatre building was sold to a hotel group of Hong Kong. From 1971 until its closure on 23rd March, 1973, it was a venue for Mandarin variety shows and musicals. Selected films of English and Mandarin language were also shown.

A hotel was built on the site of the theatre.