SHAW BROTHERS - History:The seeds of this legendary Chinese film empire were sown in Shanghai in the 1920’s by six enterprising brothers. Taking root in then British Hong Kong in 1958 with the construction of the largest privately-owned film studio in the world at the time, the Shaw Brothers produced one thousand films (many of which are now Chinese cinema classics) over the next three decades, amassing the largest Chinese film library ever.Recognizing from very early on the importance of vertical integration (a strategy not afforded U.S. studios because of anti-trust laws), Shaw Brothers acquired and developed cinemas throughout Southeast Asia, Japan, Australia, North America, Hawaii and Canada, establishing itself as by far the most dominant film production, distribution and exhibition group in the entire region. In the 1970’s, the size of the theatre group exceeded 200 screens (with 600 more listed as having distribution deals), boasting several grand 1000-seat plus flagship houses in Hong Kong. The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1971. In 1974, for his professional achievement and generous philanthropic worldwide contributions over several decades, patriarch Run Run Shaw was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. In addition to its own output, Shaw Brothers released international films, and invested in a number of co-productions, most notably the classic Ridley Scott film, Bladerunner, starring Harrison Ford, in 1982.In 1973, Sir Run Run launched TVB, Hong Kong’s first wireless commercial television station. By the 80’s, Hong Kong real estate values were soaring to the stratosphere, and many of the large Shaw cinemas were gradually converted into other commercial uses. Sir Run Run grew TVB into one of the top 5 television producers in the world, based on output, and the world’s largest Chinese-language content provider. In order to focus on its burgeoning television activities, Shaw Brothers started to pull back on feature film production in the mid 1980’s.A New Era for Shaw BrothersThe new millennium also brings a new era to Shaw Brothers. With little fanfare until now, the world’s most advanced film production and digital post production facility is nearing completion on a beautiful hillside site in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong. The US$180 million Shaw Studios features one of the largest, fully air-conditioned and sound and vibration-insulated soundstages in Asia, a full-service color lab and digital imaging facility, over 20 sound and editing suites, a 400-seat dubbing and screening theatre, executive and production office space, banqueting facilities, and visual effects and animation capabilities. In all, over a million square feet of digitally-wired and secure facilities dedicated solely to film production and post-production. To be operational by early 2007, and situated at the gateway to China, potentially the world’s largest film market, Shaw Studios is Sir Run Run’s commitment to filmmakers in Hong Kong, and the entire world.
The site of Shaw House and Lido Theatre was originally part of Grant No. 23 from the East India Company to William Scott on 2 April 1845. When Shaw House was acquired by Shaw and Shaw Pte Ltd in January 1952, it was nothing but vacant land with an Esso petrol station.
This half million square feet of land was levelled by the Shaws for redevelopment in December 1956. Piling started in February 1957 and the whole complex, comprising some 118,000 square feet on ten storeys obtained its Certificate of Fitness on 28th January 1958.The original Shaw House was declared officially opened by Mr Lim Yew Hock on 22 November 1958. Lido obtained its Certificate on 4th February 1959 and opened with the charity premiere of MGM's 'Torpedo Run' two days later. It had a capacity of 1,602. The opening ceremony was performed by His Excellency the Commissioner-General for South East Asia, Sir Robert Scott. Runme Shaw housed his offices here until his death in March 1985.From the fifties to the eighties, Lido was the venue for many charity premieres. VIPs like Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Mr Wong Kan Seng and BG George Yeo graced many charitable events in Lido.Lido soon became the cinema where Singaporeans came to watch blockbusters. As a first-run hall it wasn't uncommon to see massive lines of people every weekend.Over the years, many visiting stars have made Lido a stopover. Stars like Eva Gabor, Bo Derek, Jet Li, Dolph Lungren, Michelle Yeo and Patrick Stewart have been spotted there.In 2001, Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Crowe graced Lido's red carpets and took 2 hours to greet all his 10,000 over fans for the movie Vanilla Sky.In 1993, the present Shaw House opened its doors to the public after three years of reconstruction. It became a 22 storey complex comprising 5 floors of shopping and restaurants operated by Isetan, the five-screen Lido Cineplex and 12 floors of offices. The Lido lobby of the 90s includes a food court area with a large video screen.The cineplex boasted Singapore's first THX hall with SDDS, DTS, SRD as well as Dolby SR. State of the art projection and sound systems continue to make movie going in the Lido an experience like no other.In 1996 Lido cineplex underwent renovations again and an eight-screen cineplex was unveiled. In 2004, Lido One was refitted with 780 brand new cushion seats which people is still the largest cinema screen in the shopping district - Orchard area of Singapore. Lido Two which had their new 503 seats done in 2003, is the 2nd largest cinema.
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