Designed and built in 1928 by the Hungarian architect Lásló Hudec, the Grand Cinema has undergone years of renovations to make it spiffy for – you guessed it – the expo. Even if you're not an architecture buff, it's easy to appreciate the classic building styles of the 1930s that are prevalent throughout. Previously called the "Best Cinema of the Far East" by visiting Westerners, it is now listed as a historical site by the Shanghai government. Combining the decadence and style of the 1930s with the comfort and technology of modern times was not an easy feat, but the Grand Cinema has managed to pull it off. The theatre seats 1,554 people on the main floor, while the third floor has a small 25-seat lounge with leather chairs for those who like to watch their movies a little more comfortably. All of the screens include the now-mandatory Dolby digital sound systems. But don't worry – not all of the cinema's charm has been modernized. The lotus-shaped roof that helped make the place famous is still present, as is the old-fashioned two-tiered seating arrangement and the imported Italian marble. It was this kind of detail, including a massive crystal chandelier, that helped make the Grand Cinema such a symbol of luxury during the 1930s and 40s. The theatre proved to be first in many categories back in its heyday. Not only was it the first in China to introduce the widescreen format and stereo systems, but it also installed mini earpieces of all of its chairs for Chinese customers who wanted to watch Western movies. Before the popularisation of dubbing and onscreen subtitles, a translator would interpret the dialogue throughout the movie so the Chinese audience could appreciate what was going on. Now that's customer service!
Never one to miss the opportunity for a museum or exhibition hall, the Grand Cinema now dedicates a floor to its collection of historic photos that trace its illustrious past. Get there early to enjoy a self-guided walking tour featuring photos, timelines, and classic flyers and billboards. One of the coolest parts is the antique projector they used to use – it proves how far we've come!
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