The Story of the First Cinema Hall in India.
(A Thread)
The First Cinema Hall in India was built by J.F. Madan in Calcutta in 1907.
Pioneer of Motion Picture theatres in India, built India's first movie theatre in Calcutta "Elphinstons Picture Palace".
(A Thread)
The First Cinema Hall in India was built by J.F. Madan in Calcutta in 1907.
Pioneer of Motion Picture theatres in India, built India's first movie theatre in Calcutta "Elphinstons Picture Palace".
@DalrympleWill @hashCalcutta @Go_Movie_Mango @Redhotpedia It was exactly one hundred year ago in 1919 in Calcutta, just after the first World War, he had the vision and the temerity to convert his theatre producing and silent film making business in to India’s first Joint Stock Company for movie making - Madan Theatres Limited.
@DalrympleWill @hashCalcutta @Go_Movie_Mango @Redhotpedia According to the Registrar of Companies, Kolkata, Madan Theatres Ltd was incorporated 100 years ago on 27th September 1919.
@DalrympleWill @hashCalcutta @Go_Movie_Mango @Redhotpedia At the height of its popularity before ‘Talkies’ (films with dialogue) came in, Madan Theatres had control over 127 cinema halls in India and majority of Box-Office collection during the 1920s and 1930s.
@DalrympleWill @hashCalcutta @Go_Movie_Mango @Redhotpedia J F Madan came to Calcutta in 1883. Initially he was involved in producing Parsi Theatres. Later he became owner of the famous Corinthian Hall / Theatre. He also founded Elphinstone Bioscope Company and began producing and exhibiting silent movies.
@DalrympleWill @hashCalcutta @Go_Movie_Mango @Redhotpedia The "Elphinstons Picture Palace" was later renamed Strand Cinema in 1930's, Minerva in 1951 & 'Chaplin' in the 1980's.
@DalrympleWill @hashCalcutta @Go_Movie_Mango @Redhotpedia Sadly, the building has now been razed. So much history gone. At its prime, Minerva/Chaplin was one of the finest movie halls in Calcutta.
(Pic:-Chaplin under demolition)
(Pic:-Chaplin under demolition)
