The post-war decades from 1947 to 1972 has often been termed the ‘golden age’ of Singapore cinema. The period saw a proliferation of film theatres and locally produced movies. A total of about 300 films were produced over 25 years. Apart from bigger production companies such as the Shaw Brothers’ Malay Film Productions which reopened in 1947, and Cathay-Keris Films, which was formed in 1953 through the merger of Cathay Organization and Keris Film, there were also independent producers like Nusantara Film. Film-watching thus became a very popular form of mass entertainment during this period.This postcard shows the Metropole Cinema that was built on the site of the Chungking Theatre, formerly the Empire Cinema. It was one of Chinatown’s three famous cinemas and was built in 1958. After the cinema ceased operations in 1985, the building was acquired by Fairfield Methodist Church.
