Tuesday 12 July 2005
On 18 July 1935, Associated Theatres Ltd was incorporated which marked the beginnings of Cathay’s movie empire.
Founded by Dato Loke Wan Tho who met his premature demise in an aircrash in 1964, his legacy of the Cathay movie empire has endured for 70 years.
The Cathay has entertained generations of Singaporeans, some of whom will remember the original Cathay Building which opened in October 1939. The 1,300-seat Cathay Cinema screened its first movie, Sir Alexander Korda’s The Four Feathers and was then the tallest structure and Singapore’s first air-conditioned cinema.
Over the years, Cathay expanded and at its peak, owned and managed over 70 cinemas in Singapore and Malaysia.
In the 50s and 60s, Cathay’s film production arm made more than 270 Chinese and Malay movies, many of which today are priceless classics.
Since its establishment, Cathay has always taken pride in offering the best movie-going experience and continues to endeavour to give its customers the state of the art cinematic enviroment to watch the latest movies.
In 1971, Cathay opened Jurong Drive-In Cinema, the first of its kind in Singapore and Malaysia, and the largest in Asia. Another first was achieved in 1990 when The Picturehouse opened. It was Singapore’s first arthouse cinema.
In 1997, Cathay Cineleisure Orchard opened at the former Orchard Cinema site with the six-screen Cathay Cineplex Orchard. It continues to be today, one of the most popular venues for movie-goers. Two years later, Cathay Cineplex opened in Causeway Point with 10 screens.
In 2000, Cathay Cineplexes became the first cineplex operator in Singapore to achieve ISO 9002 certification.
Moving along with technology, Cathay-Movie-Line automated phone booking system for movie tickets was launched in 2000. A year after, the Cathay website was launched offering online ticketing facility.
To provide even greater convenience to movie-goers, Cathay introduced the Drive-thru Ticketing Booth at Cathay Orchard Cineleisure and the Short Message Service (SMS) ticketing service also in 2001.
Singapore's first Digital Cinema was at Cathay Cineplexes. It was launched in 2003 and Cathay became the first Cineplex in Singapore to introduce commercial films in digital format.
To cater for the growing number of movie-goers at our box office, Cathay Cineplexes expanded its number of screens in 2003 with the introduction of three new cinema halls on Level 4 at Cathay Cineplex Orchard.
Also in 2003, Cathay introduced the first 24-hour movie screenings in Singapore.
In 2004, Cathay launched its Cathay Movie Xpress Kiosk in July. This 24-hour, fully automated kiosk located at Orchard MRT Station dispenses instant movie tickets on purchase. In the same year, Cathay launched the first PDA Ticketing System to be used in a cineplex in Singapore. This offered greater convenience to our customers and eased the queues.
Just this year, the first Coke Red Lounge out of the USA opened at Cathay Cineplex Cineieisure Orchard and is a tremendous hit with the young and young-at-heart.
In celebration of our 70 years, Cathay would like to thank its Singapore audiences for their support over the years and for keeping the magic of movies alive in its cinemas.
So on Monday 18 July 2005, we are offering free movies all day. Please refer to the details below with regard to the calendar of benefits we will be extending to our patrons between July 16th till 18th 2005. Just watch out for our advertisement in The Straits Times and follow the instructions.
Our 70th celebrations will culminate with the much anticipated re-opening of The Cathay building on its original site early next year.
Sat, Jul 16th
MECHANICS
- Readers to cut out and present ad from ST LIFE! at the Cinesnax Counter at Cathay Cineplex Orchard Or Causeway Point and they will get a FREE popcorn set (Excluding Drink) and goodies from M&Ms (while stocks last).
Sun, Jul 17th
MECHANICS
- Readers to cut out and present ad from ST LIFE! at the Cinesnax Counter at Cathay Cineplex Orchard Or Causeway Point and they will get a FREE Coke and goodies from M&Ms (while stocks last).
Mon, Jul 18th
MECHANICS
- Readers to cut out and present ad from ST LIFE! at either Cathay Cineplex Orchard or CWP and they will get a pair of FREE Movie tickets.
- If you are celebrating your birthday on 18 July, present your Identity Card at either Cathay Cineplex Orchard or CWP & receive a surprise gift.
- Born on 18 July 1935 & celebrating your 70th birthday like us? Present your Identity Card at either Cathay Cineplex Orchard or CWP & receive a Cathay Cineplex VIP Card.*
* VIP Cards are valid for Singapore / Permanent Residents ONLY.
Terms and conditions to be featured in ads over the 3 days
1. Only original cut-outs of the ads will be valid for redemption
2. Each ad is valid for one redemption only
3. Free tickets on Mon, Jul 18th are valid for said date only and cannot be used for advanced bookings
4. Free tickets on Mon, Jul 18th are valid only from start of operational hours on Mon at respective cineplexes
5. Free tickets on Mon Jul 18th are not redeemable via phone / online booking
6. Advertisement cut-on on Mon, Jul 18th is valid for redemption of 2 tickets only per cut-out and only original newspaper copies are valid.
7. Redemption for Free Tickets are limited to 1 newspaper cut-out per patron (2 tickets) only.
8. For the Free ticket giveaway on Mon, Jul 18th, seats are available strictly on a first-come-first-serve basis at the respective Cineplex box offices and phone / Internet & fax booking enquires will not be valid for this day only.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT :-
CATHAY ORGANISATION HOLDINGS LTD
Jennifer Wee-Almodiel
Corporate Relations Manager
Tel : 6337 8181
DID : 6736 7279
jennifer_wee@cathay.com.sg
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