Cathay, A 50-Year-Old Cinema in Ipoh

Writing about nostalgic stories brings back beautiful memories. In the past, cinemas could be found in small towns, even if they were not equipped with the modern facilities, high-powered air conditioning, or plush sofa seats we see today.

Do you still remember the most vibrant cinema in Ipoh during the 1980s and 1990s? While the average Gen Y today might not know of its existence, those aged 30 and above will likely smile when reminiscing about the beautiful memories at the Cathay cinema. For those who don't know, Cathay in Ipoh was the most popular cinema in the city after it opened. Its opening was said to be very special as it coincided with the date Tanah Melayu celebrated its independence, on the auspicious date of 31 August 1957. The Cathay cinema building was constructed at a cost of RM600,000. Once upon a time, Cathay was the pride of the Ipoh community, and its opening was officiated by the late Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah (the 32nd Sultan of Perak) on the night of Chinese New Year.

Interestingly, the Cathay logo we see today is actually the original logo from when it was first installed. Only the position of the logo is slightly different from its original placement when it first opened to the public. The Cathay cinema was also a place where dignitaries would come to be entertained by watching the films on display.

For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, the Cathay cinema was built around 1956 and, as mentioned above, it opened to the public on 31 August 1957. The first film screened for the opening of Cathay was titled 'The King and I' (a 1956 film).

In the past, there was a class system for seating in the cinema. It was divided into three classes. The seats at the very front were third class, the middle section was second class, and the seats at the very top were first class.

Since its opening, the cinema only screened English-language films. Around 1985, Cathay made changes by adding Malay, Tamil, Hindi, and Chinese films to increase the number of customers coming to watch.

In 2007, the Cathay cinema had to close due to the influx of modern, more comfortable cinemas and a declining number of customers. Today, Cathay is no longer a public destination for watching movies. It has now become a clothing store.