• Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

    On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 comments

    A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

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  • MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

    On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 comments

    Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

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  • 女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

    On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 comments

    女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

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  • Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

    On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 comments

    Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.  I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future."

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  • 女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十四期

    On 20 Jun 2011 | 1 comments

    为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻,《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元 《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》,把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。 写在华义中学创校55周年 40年前 华义发扬美学教育  对很多学校来说,拥有校友会是平常不过的事。但是,今年庆祝创校55周年的华义中学,却没有正式的校友会。上个世纪五十年代的华义学生虽然曾经组织一个校友会,不过并没有招募新校友注入“新血”。到了九十年代,一些会员已经逝世,校友会势力变单薄,无奈在五六年前解散。  这让许多华义校友感到惋惜,其中包括毕业40年却不曾加入校友会的黄美芬(58岁)和戴月英(57岁)。目前担任新加坡读书会发展协会会长的黄美芬受访时说:“协会经常和不同学校合作。我发现很多学校的校友会阵容都很强大,很羡慕他们,因为自己的学校连校友会都

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  • Pasar @ MyQueenstown #2 - the Provisions Shop Golden Couple

    On 12 Jun 2011 | 2 comments

    Mr Chen, 63, together with his wife Mdm Chan, has been running their dried product store at #01-16 Meiling Market. Mr and Mrs Chen lives in Queenstown, so travelling time is not a major problem for them to open their store at 6am in the morning. Having running their business for over 30 years in the same market, the couple has more or less 

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Farewell MyQueenstown

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 Comments

Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.  I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future."

永别了!女皇镇!#7 一摊油条传三代

On 30 Apr 2011 | 1 Comments

一摊油条传三代 在玛格列熟食中心,“生活公市”说得上是个客至如云的摊子。这个小摊子,不售卖任何煮炒;摊子主人则一年三百六十五天,天天在摊内起个炉炸上一条条的油条。 “生活公市”摊主李马才先生(58岁)是这家油条摊的第三代。 祖父自中国南来便炸油条为业,后来其父亦继承了祖父的业务。“生活公市”自1969年起,正式迁入玛格列熟食中心营业。李先生从小便跟随父亲学手艺,在油锅边打转。 李先生的油条,以香脆爽口闻名。在80年代初,李先生每一日几乎可炸近200条油条。李家一家五人总要齐齐上阵来应付顾客的需要。 如今,虽然李先生的摊子已搬迁到亚历山大村熟食中心,但他对玛格列熟食中心仍然十分怀念。再见了,玛格列熟食中心!

Farewell MyQueenstown #6 - The Taste of Wanton Noodle Lingers...

On 24 Mar 2011 | 19 Comments

Mr. Phoon Hon Sun, 64, and his family started selling barbeque pork from a pushcart at the terminal for Hock Lee bus service no.9 some 53 years ago. The bus terminal was located next to Blocks 6B and 7 along Margaret Close, a cluster of flats which were demolished during the 1990s. A familiar sight no more Every afternoon, residents who lived in the seven

Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown

Home Sweet Home #15 - A New Day Has Come =)

On 24 Apr 2011 | 11 Comments

Last week, MyQueenstown team interviewed Mdm Chan about her life in Blk 15 Holland Drive. Under SERS, she was assigned a new apartment in the newly developed blocks just a stone throw sway. Today, we visit Hisham Suni, 38, who moved over from Blk 17 to his new apartment in Blk 18C Holland Drive. Hisham Suni and his son =) Hisham is delighted by his new ap

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

On 17 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Blk 15, Holland Drive looked vacant and cold when MyQueenstown team visited this morning. The shop houses under the apartment block were all covered with card boards and all that was left were traces of glass panels, which could possibly be a beauty parlor in its place before. The lift was still working. Mdm Chan - a long time resident at Holland Drive A c

Home Sweet Home #13 - Commonwealth 10! Here I Come!

On 10 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

The front door was wide open when MyQueenstown team visited Mr Lee, 78, at his apartment in Blk 74 Commonwealth Drive. Feeling curious, we knocked onto the door and was greeted by a sleepy looking Mr Lee. Mr Lee who lives alone at Block 74 Retired more than a decade ago, Mr Lee is living alone as he prefers being independent to tagging along with his chi

News@MyQueenstown

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

My Father and I

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

On 14 May 2011 | 2 Comments

The industrialisation programme took off in Queenstown when the Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was established to generate employment in the neighbourhood. Initially, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) planned a small industrial estate at Tanglin Halt to provide employment for the new residents. Measuring some 20 acres of land consisting of 38 factories

Queenstown Baptist Church

On 03 May 2011 | 1 Comments

The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set aside seven sites for religious use and advertised for religious organisations to ballot in the 1950s. Of the ten enquiries received, four withdrew, leaving six Christian organisations. These went on to build the first churches of Queenstown; Queenstown Baptist Church, Queenstown Lutheran Church, Faith Methodist Ch

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

On 22 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Established in 1931 by German businessmen, Archipelago Brewery Company was the first commercial brewery in Singapore. It was located next to the Malayan Railway, which provided convenient transportation for exporting the beer in Tanjong Pagar. Archipelago Brewery Company One of the more popular beer produced at Archipelago Brewery Company was Anchor Beer.

Makan Shiok!

Snacks Attack #13 - Ah Luck Bean Curd

On 23 Dec 2010 | 2 Comments

Mr Chua, 25, runs Ah Luck Beancurd in Tanglin Halt market for more than 2 years. He is renting the stall from the original owner who has based his stall in the same area for more than 40 years. Ah Luck Bean Curd offers drinks and deserts such as soya bean drink, grass jelly and the residents' favorite soya bean curd (60 cents). A Delicious Bowl of Bean Curd

Snacks Attack #12 - Satay Mad in Tanglin Halt!

On 16 Dec 2010 | 7 Comments

 Ann, 46 runs the family food stall for over 10 years in Tanglin Halt hawker centre. Serving halal food for over a decade in the same place, Ann has integrated her dishes to suit the taste buds of Queenstown residents, especially the Malay community. The simple food stall offers snacks such as satay, otah and seafood dishes. As a family styled bus

Snacks Attack #11 - Almond & Peanut Paste!

On 09 Dec 2010 | 0 Comments

DessertStory, located in Anchorpoint basement one, has been serving residents tasty snacks and deserts for the past four years. Wendy, the supervisor of the cafe, introduced the various homemade desserts that they offer. A bowl of Almond Paste Hot desserts are mainly the favourite choice among Queenstown residents. Firstly, they have almond paste which is m

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #9 - 7 Funerals in 2 weeks

On 22 May 2011 | 0 Comments

7 funerals in 2 weeks. There is a flurry of "activity" these two weeks for correspondents from My Queenstown. We did not leave our traces in photographs as a mark of respect for the deceased. We did leave our sincere prayers and heartfelt condolences for those present. Quietly and fleetingly, we made our way to some of the funerals and understood that all o

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #8 - Block 39A No More (The Removal of Block 39A Part I)

On 05 Apr 2011 | 8 Comments

On a Friday afternoon three weeks ago, several Bangladeshi workers, presumably from the Town Council, took their tool boxes to the lift lobby of Block 39A. In less than half an hour, they carried a metallic frame on their shoulders and placed it on a lorry parked in front of the apartment block. Farewell Block 39A The letterboxes The stretch of corrid

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #7 - A New Coat of Paint

On 22 Mar 2011 | 1 Comments

The Point Blocks, along with 5 other blocks at Mei Ling Street were given a new coat of paint over the past week. The familiar combination of blue, yellow and orange was a thing of the past as these foreign workers toiled day and night, rain or shine to make Mei Ling Street "attractive again." White seems to be the "in" thing in Queenstown lately. Ten-store

Other Recent Articles

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

XXX Restricted Access @ MyQueenstown #1 - Former Queenstown Cinema

By my queenstown on Sunday, September 26, 2010 with 1 comment

During its prime, Queenstown Cinema and Bowling Centre housed modern facilities which few could match in Singapore. There was a cinema (with two halls), a bowling centre, fast food restaurants and private karaoke lounges. The 18-lane bowling centre and the 1715 seat cinema were favourite among residents in Queenstown and students from the secondary schools nearby. Built in the 1977, Queenstown Cinema was of the first cinemas which incorporated soundproofing by minimising the use of wood-wool slabs, acoustic ceiling boards and carpeting. Seats in the cinema were arranged in a hexagonal manner so that cinema goers could watch the movie without any obstruction. Closed in 1999, it remained as Queenstown's most iconic feature today.

Former Queenstown Cinema & Bowling Centre

While redevelopment plans for this cinema remained secretive, the private developer owning this cinema, Crescendas, did consider demolishing the cinema in the coming year. Hence, MyQueenstown would like to bring residents and frequent visitors to a trip down memory lane where we explore the restricted areas within the cinema and the bowling centre.

The familiar corridor of the Former Queenstown Cinema

Mud pools and falling concrete greeted our correspondent as we enter the restricted zones of the former cinema. Corrosion and the lack of maintenance had caused part of the cinema to be waterlogged. A deep, stale smell perked us up when the metallic entrance pulley was pulled up. Windows and metallic grilles at the ticketing counter were removed for convenience during the demolishing process. The familiar "snacks" and "popcorns" booth were likewise different from its former appearance. 

View of the Booths from Exterior

View of the Ticketing Counter from Exterior



Ticketing Counter 

Closer look at the Counter

We tried to scavenger for traces of the movie tickets but we could not. It looks as if the cleaners have done a good job in maintaining the cleanliness of the cinema. 

The red colour dustbin is still there!

The interior of the bigger cinema hall was beyond expectations. Seats were removed. Screens were torn down. And the carpet had disintegrated into bits and pieces. Former patrons could only recognise its features from its iconic colour of the wall. MyQueenstown Team understood that the hall was converted into a billiard room after the cinema operator left. Frequent billiard competitions were held in the cinema and hence, the seats were removed.

Present State of the Larger Cinema Hall

Front View of the Cinema-Seats Removed, Carpet Disintegrated and...

Screens Removed

Speakers were kept here previously

Stairs leading to the screens

Until the multiplex era, the screens of the cinema were typically covered by a traditional curtain manually. Curtains would cover part of the screen during advertising and trailers and then be fully draw to reveal the entire width of the screen when the movie started. 

It always appear ironic when we are allowed to wander freely in the premises of the cinema after it was shut. The cinema projection room, a place where projections, cinema reels and other relevant sophisticated equipment were kept, looked forlornly empty and bizarre, unlike the conventional modern projection room. 

Entrance to the Projection Room

Place where the reels are kept

Where the Cinema Projectors would beam the movies

Yeah that's Hall One!

Private screenings took place on several occasions at the smaller theatre hall located in the third level in the past few years. The seats were untouched but the screen was removed only recently. Unlike the bigger hall, this smaller cinema was much well maintained and cracks in the walls were not so obvious. The flight of stairs leading to the hall was litter free except for a few graffiti, believed to be painted by passerbys accessing into the cinema illegally.

Flight of Stairs to the Smaller Cinema Hall

Entrance to the Cinema

Torn Signages at the Door

Toilets where Cinema Goers will patronise before the movie

Interior of the Smaller Cinema

Removed Screens

Found Your Seat?

Queenstown Cinema simply could not compete against bigger multiplexes operated by Golden Village or Cathay. They were not equipped to beam the latest 3D animated movies or provide a Dolby Surround sound quality to win the hearts and pockets of the cinema goers. It was inevitable that it lost the "cinema" war. As the curtain falls on the Cinema, our memories of this recreation site would certainly remain at the stage where we queued for its popcorn gleefully with our former school mates and enjoyed a wonderful evening watching the action movies...

What happened to Palace KTV and the Bowling Alley? Don't Forget to Read Restricted Access@MyQueenstown next Sunday!

What are your memories of the Cinema? Tell us now at our facebook page now!

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1 comments:

Isabelle Lim said...
May 18, 2015 at 1:55 PM

This is interesting!! Is it still open to enter??

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