Tuschinsky Theatre: Movies in Style

When Polish born Abraham Tuschinski opened his variety theatre in Amsterdam in 1921, he was instantly successful. Until then, movie cinemas were dark places. Tuschinski theatre showed a wondrous mix of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Amsterdam School architecture.

Squares and rectangles grace the façade. Tiffany-style windows, garlands and curvy iron lamps are eye-catchers. This landmark building is all glamour and glitter inside and out. It attracted large audiences and famous artists such as Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland.

During German occupation from 1940 – 1945, the theatre was renamed Tivoli. On Sunday mornings, there were specila programmes for the German forces. Tuschinski was deported to Auschwitz and was killed in 1942.

After the war, the theatre was renovated several times. In 1984 Morrocan carpet makers remade the entire cinema carpet. The remake used the same material as the old one, still some of the colour and pattern was lost. KLM, the Dutch national airlines, covered the cost of the cargo which amounted to US$ 100,000.

Another renovation took place from 1998 and 2002 during which lost murals were discovered and restored. An annex was added with three more screens and modern cinema equipment replaced the old projectors.

Today, Tuschinski, part of the Pathé Goup, features three sceening rooms in the old building and twelve in the new annex. The main auditorium seats 740 and includes love-seats and private boxes. Cinema goers in these boxes can order wine or other drinks and snacks to be served in their box.

Red-carpet first nights take place in Tuschinski when stretch limousines drop off celebrities while movie lovers watch.

QUICK FACTS

WHAT: Pathé Tuschinski
WHERE: Reguliersbreestraat 26 (map)
OPEN: daily from 11.30 am

Ticket prices vary from €5 to €13 depending on whether it is a morning, matinee or evening screening. Movies are shown in the original version with Dutch subtitles.

photo credit: personal collection