Opening of the first theatre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 1,200 seat Pavilion Cinema.
1930 - 1949 The Foundation Years
1935
Associated Theatres Ltd was incorporated and this marks the beginning of Cathay's movie empire.
1936
Opening of the first theatre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 1,200 seat Pavilion Cinema.
1939
Cathay Cinema opened and the opening premiere featured Sir Alexander Korda's "The Four Feathers".
1942
1945
Last show screened, Cathay Cinema was converted to a Red Cross casualty station.
Cathay Cinema re-opens with screening of first post-WW2 movie "The Tunisian Victory".
It is the first cinema in Singapore to screen American and British pictures.
1947
Joint-venture partnership signed with J. Arthur Rank Organisation's branch, Overseas Cinematograph Theatres Ltd. Loke Wan Tho formed Caravan Films to send mobile film units to estates and villages in Malaya.
1948
New air-conditioning plant installed, giving rise to "Cathay for Comfort" slogan.
Aggressive acquisition of cinemas in Malaysia and Singapore began.
1950 - 1969 A Movie Empire Emerges
1953
1955
1957
Cathay-Keris Studios was formed and first locally produced colour film Buloh Perindu was made.
Dato Loke Wan Tho acquired Yung Hwa Studio in Hong Kong.
Lin Dai was awarded 'Best Actress award' for the movie Golden Lotus at the 4th Asian Film Festival.
1958
Motion Picture & General Investment Co Ltd (MP & GI) formed. It took over the running of Yung Hwa Studios in Hong Kong, which supplied films to Cathay. MP & GI was later renamed Cathay Organisation (HK).
1959
Associated Theatres Ltd was renamed Cathay Organisation Private Limited.
Yu Ming was awarded Best Actress for Her Tender Heart at the Asian Film Festival.
1964
Untimely demise of Dato Loke Wan Tho in an air crash in Taiwan. Mr. Choo Kok Leong became successor to Chairmanship.
Opening of Orchard Cinema and the 24-lane Jackie's Bowl (later renamed Orchard Bowl).
Cathay Keris Studios close.
1965
1966
1970 - 1989 : Period of Expansion & Diversification
1970
1971
1979
1980
Fourteen years after the first Cathay film was made, over 200 films had been produced, many of which remain priceless classics.
Opening of Jurong Drive-In, the first of its kind in Singapore and Malaysia and the largest in Asia. Highest box-office takings for one evening totaled S$12,000 for Bruce Lee's Big Boss.
Property development for Gallop Villas in Singapore.
Opening of Cathay's first suburban cinema, Regal Cinema, in Bukit Merah.
1982
At its peak, Cathay had a stronghold of 75 cinemas in Singapore and Malaysia as a result from aggressive acquisition and partnership agreements.
1984
Opening of first Orange Julius outlet in Singapore at Cathay Cinema.
1988
Appointment of Ms Choo Meileen, Dato Loke Wan Tho's niece, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Organisation.
Dato Loke's trustees wanted to divest interests in Malaysia and thus, all cinemas in Malaysia, except for Pavilion, Cathay and Odeon in Kuala Lumpur, were hived off.
Inauguration of Cathay Bowl Super Classic - an internationally renowned bowling tournament that has attracted scores of professional bowlers from around the world.
1990 - 2008: A Dream Come True
1990
1991
1992
1993
Official opening of The Picturehouse, Singapore's first arthouse cinema.
Cathay Cinema converted into a cineplex with 3 cinemas.
Opening of the 24-lane Cathay Bowl, Eastside (later renamed Cathay Bowl, East Coast).
Opening of the 24-lane Cathay Bowl, Westside (later renamed Cathay Bowl, Jurong East).
1994
1995
Cathay Properties was incorporated, providing property management and maintenance services for facilities operated by Cathay companies, as well as commercial and residential properties held by its related parties.
Opening of the 24-lane Cathay Bowl, NSRCC.
Orchard Cinema closed for redevelopment.
1996
Opening of the 24-lane Cathay Bowl, Northwest (later renamed Cathay Bowl, Lot 1).
1997
Opening of the six-screen Mega Pavilion Cinema at Kompleks Bukit Jambul, Penang.
Opening of Cathay Cineleisure Orchard at the former Orchard Cinema site.
2000
Opening of the five-screen Mega Pavilion Cinema at City Square in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd Group of Companies moved to Robertson Walk.
Vista Solutions Pte Ltd was incorporated, it specialises in providing customised ticketing solutions to the cineplex operators.
Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd receives licence from the Singapore Broadcasting Authority to operate video-on-demand service in Singapore with effect from June 2001.
Cathay Movie Line - the automated phone booking system for movie tickets was launched.
Cathay Cineplex, Orchard underwent a face-lift, with the inclusion of a Cinecafe at its 5th level lobby.
Cathay Cineplexes became the first cineplex operator in Singapore to achieve ISO 9002 certification.
1999
Cathay Organisation was listed on the Stock Exchange of Singapore Dealing & Automated Quotation Systems (SESDAQ) via the reverse takeover of IMM Multi-Enterprise (IME). The listed entity was renamed Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd with five wholly-owned subsidiaries: Cathay Cineplexes Pte Ltd (cineplex operations), Cathay Bowl Pte Ltd (bowling operations), Cathay-Keris Films Pte Ltd (film acquisition and distribution), Cathay Cineleisure International Pte Ltd (entertainment centre management) and Cathay Properties Pte Ltd (property management services).
Launch of new corporate identity.
Cathay Bowl became Singapore's first bowling centre operator to be awarded ISO 9002 certification by the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (PSB).
Cathay takes a 19% equity stake in ACEL International Holdings Ltd. The company, which offers educational enrichment programmes, was renamed Cathay ACEL Pte Ltd.
Opening of the 24-lane Cathay Bowl, SAFRA Tampines. It was the first in Singapore to offer cosmic bowling.
Opening of the ten-screen Cathay Cineplex, Causeway Point - Cathay Cineplexes' first foray into the suburban districts.
1998
Opening of the six-screen Mega Pavilion Cinema at Megamal Pinang in Butterworth, Malaysia.
Opening of the 12-lane Cathay Bowl, The Grassroots' Club.
Cathay Cineplex, Orchard (Halls 3 & 6) and The Picturehouse were named "The Best Screens" in a survey conducted by The Straits Times in Singapore.
Cathay Cineplex, Orchard was also voted the runaway favourite in a "Nominate your favourite cinema" contest conducted by Adpost.
Cathay Cineleisure Orchard received the SIA-ICI Dulux Colour Award for the creative use of colour in building design.
Mega Pavilion, Kompleks Bukit Jambul, was voted "Second Best Cinema in Malaysia" by listeners on radio channel MIX FM91.0.
Opening of the 34-lane Cathay Bowl, Endah Parade in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2001
Cathay Cineplexes launched a e-Ticketing facility on its website for customers to purchase movie tickets online.
Opening of the 24-lane Cathay Bowl SAFRA Yishun.
Opening of 22-lane Cathay Bowl Cineleisure Orchard. Cathay Bowl is now Singapore's largest bowling centre with 8 bowling centres and a total of 178 lanes.
Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd appointed by Singapore Economic Development Board to organize the largest charity bowling event in Singapore history, across all Cathay Bowl centres islandwide, raising more than $1 million for 5 charity organisations.
Opening of 4-screen Mega Pavilion Prangin Mall in Penang.
Opening of 5-screen Mega Pavilion Island Plaza in Penang.
2002
Opening of the 24-lane Cathay Bowl, The Chevrons.
Introduction of Automated Ticketing Kiosks at the Cathay Cineleisure Orchard's cinema lobby.
Introduction of Drive-thru Ticketing Booth at Cathay Cineplex Orchard.
Cathay Cineplexes - Short message service (SMS) ticketing was launched.
2003
Formerly a historic theatre, The Majestic was converted into a shopping centre, and opened its doors to the public in February 2003.
New facelift/upgrade of Mega Pavilion Cinplex Kompleks Bukit Jambul, Malaysia.
Introduction of Ez-Link Payment at Cathay Cineplex Orchard and Cathay Bowl Cineleisure Orchard, providing a convenient payment alternative for our customers.
Cathay Cineplexes upgraded its ISO Certification to the current ISO 9001: 2000/SS ISO 9001:2000.
Launch of Singapore's 1st Digital Cinema - Cathay Cineplexes was the first to introduce commercial films in digital format in Singapore.
Cathay Cineplexes expanded its number of screens in Singapore with the introduction of three new cinema halls on Level 4 at Cathay Cineplex Orchard.
Cathay Cineplexes introduced the first 24-hour movie screenings in Singapore.
Incorporation of Hangout Hotels Pte Ltd.
Cathay ACEL Pte Ltd was renamed Cathay Ed-Ventures Pte Ltd.
2004
Cathay increased its shareholding in its subsidiary Cathay Ed-Ventures Pte Ltd from 60% to 95%.
Formation of Cathay Ad-House Pte. Ltd. (CAHPL). The principal activity of CAHPL is providing advertising and event organising services.
Opening of the first property managed by Hangout Hotels Pte Ltd - hangout@ mt. emily, a boutique budget hotel.
Launch of Cathay Movie Xpress Kiosk in July. This 24-hour, fully automated kiosk located at Orchard MRT Station dispenses instant movie tickets on purchase.
Cathay organises and hosts the first Malaysian Film Festival in Singapore in September.
In November, Cathay launches the first PDA Ticketing System for cineplexes in Singapore.
The Cathay Bowl Junior Classic International Youth Tournament in December is in its 8th year.
Cathay Keris Films enters into a joint venture with Prime Movies International on 1 December. The principal activity of the Joint Venture Company, Cathay Prima Pte Ltd is to carry on the business of developing and producing theatrical and television films and series, including those based on titles from CKFPL’s existing classic film library.
Cathay announces the change in name of its Malaysian subsidiary Quayside Holdings Sdn. Bhd. to Campout Sdn. Bhd., with effect from 30 December 2004.
2005
Cathay announces the change in name of its subsidiary Hangout Hotels Pte Ltd to Hangout Hotels International Pte Ltd with effect from 28 January 2005.
Hangout @ mt emily is a licensed Hostelling International (HI) operator for the Youth Hostels Association Singapore, YHA(S), which is an associate organisation of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF).
Cathay announces the change in name of its subsidiary, Cathay Bowl (M) Sdn Bhd to Cathay Ad-House Sdn Bhd.
First Coke Red Lounge out of the USA opens at Cathay Cineplex Cineleisure Orchard
on 4 March 2005.
Cathay introduces Cineleisure Damansara in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on
29 March 2005.
Cathay collaborates with MobileOne in a mall-cum-cineplex tie-up at
Cathay Cineleisure Orchard from 5 April 2005.
On 18 July, Cathay celebrates its 70th anniversary.
In The New Paper poll in July, Cathay Cineplex Cineleisure emerged tops in 10 of the 12 categories.
The Cathay Super Classic international bowling tournament is in its 17th year. Over 100 participants from 15 countries participated from 26 to 30 July and vied for over S$97,000 cash prizes including the top prize of S$25,000 which is the highest prize money in Singapore. The Perfect Game Prize of S$100,000 was not won.
From 10 to 14 September, Cathay, together with the Korea National Tourism Organization and the Embassy of the Republic Korea presented the first Korean Film Festival in Singapore featuring a variety of Korean films across different genres.
Cathay organises and hosts the 2nd Malaysian Film Festival in Singapore from 22 to 26 September at Cathay Cineplex Orchard Cineleisure. President Nathan &Mrs Nathan were Guests of Honour at the opening gala which featured Gol and Gincu (Goal and Lipstick) directed by Bernard Chauly.
Cathay Cineplexes Sdn Bhd’s fourth Mega Pavilion Cinemas in Malaysia was officially opened on 17 November by Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu City at the new Cineplex’s premises in the capital city of Sabah. Located along Jalan Abdul Rahman of Kota Kinabalu and occupying some 20,000 square feet, the new Cineplex with 3 screens has a total seating capacity of 620 seats.
Cathay opens the largest cyber games centre E2Max @ Cine L9 on Saturday 19 November at Cathay Orchard Cineleisure, level 9. E2Max @ Cine-L9 features over 200 PCs and consoles, including Xbox and internet surfing services, with different genres of games in varying configurations and levels for single or multi-player gameplay, a special ladies game area, 20 enclosed private cyber-gaming rooms, the Moto Music Zone, retail of high tech gadgets, cyber games peripherals, equipment and food & beverage facilities.
2006
2007
On 19 Jan, Cathay Cineplex opens 3 new E-cinemas at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard on the same level as E2Max @ L9 on 19 January.
Cathay Cineleisure Orchard is selected as the venue for the Singapore Idol auditions in February.
hangout@mt.emily was awarded Best Accomodation Experience Budget Hotels category in the Singapore Tourism Awards ceremony on 2 March.
The Cathay hosted a private party to over 1,000 invited guests on 23 March. The Oscar-style party ended with a movie premiere, the title of which was kept secret till the very last moment. 'Gone with the Wind', re-mastered in digital format, was screened much to the delight of the guests. The movie was first launched in 1939 which was the year when the original Cathay Building opened on Handy Road.
On 24 March, The Cathay opened to the public featuring 8 cinema halls including The Grand Cathay & the return of The Picturehouse. Retail units will open from April/May onwards.
On 26 May, Cathay Cineplexes hosted a party to mark the opening of its flagship cineplex at Cineleisure Damansara in Kuala Lumpur. On 27 May, Cathay Cineplex Damansara with 10 screens opened to the public. In conjunction with the opening, Cathay Cineplexes effected its change in name from Mega Pavilion Cinemas to Cathay Cineplexes. The change in name is aimed at enhancing and strengthening the Cathay brand in Malaysia.
On 1 June, Cathay Organisations Holdings Ltd successfully effected its voluntary delisting from SESDAQ.
The Cathay Gallery located on level 2 of The Cathay on Handy Road opened on 2 October & showcases the history of the Loke family, their various business interests in Malaysia and Singapore, including Cathay Organisation, properties, film production studios, film distribution, hotels and cinemas.
E2Max @The Cathay opens on 16 December at the fourth level of The Cathay.
Cathay Cineplex JB City Square opens 5 new halls on 22 December to meet with the increasing number of movie-goers in JB. Cathay Cineplex JB City Square now features 10 screens with a seating capacity of 2,240.
The Cathay Restaurant opens at The Cathay on 27 January.
Cathay Cineplex Kompleks Bukit Jambul, Penang officially closed on 26 March. In view of the changing demographics in the vicinity, the decision was undertaken inline with the company’s plans to consolidate all services under one roof at Prangin Mall. At the same time, Cathay will continue to look for expansion opportunities when suitable locations are available.
Cathay Cineplex Prangin Mall, Penang undergoes a facelift to open 4 additional halls in May. With 4 more screens, Cathay Cineplex Prangin Mall will feature 8 halls & seating capacity of close to 1,5000.
On 29 March, hangout@mt.emily was awarded the Best Accommodation Experience (Standard) in the 2006 Singapore Tourism Awards, making this the second year in a row!
On 9 May, Cathay Cineplexes Sdn Bhd launched their first cinema co-branded prepaid card, the AmBank NexG-Cathay Cineplexes Prepaid MasterCard in Cathay Cineplex Cineleisure Damansara, KL. The NexG-Cathay Cineplexes Prepaid MasterCard is available all Cathay Cineplexes outlets in Malaysia ; Cineleisure Damansara KL, Prangin Mall Penang, City Square Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu.
Variety View Sdn Bhd has procured the distribution rights for 230 of Cathay-Keris Films' Chinese and Malay classic titles. This allows Variety View the rights to screen the Cathay-Keris classic titles in cinemas, free TV, pay TV, on DVD and other distribution modes in the territories of Malaysia & Brunei for 5 years up till 2012.
Cathay Cineplex AMK Hub, our second cineplex in the
heartlands opened on 16 June with 8 screens and 1,800
seats. And on 19 June, actress Shu Qi graces the official
opening which featured the gala premiere of her latest
movie, My Wife is a Gangster 3.
From August 2007, Cathay Cineplexes became the first
entertainment company to participate in the NEA’s Bring
Your Own Bag Day (BYOBD) programme.
For 16 Sundays beginning from 6 August, Cathay-Keris'
Classic Malay films which were made between 1953 to 1973,
will be seen on Sensasi, StarHub Digital Cable' s new Malay channel on channel 40.
On 6 September, Cathay Organisation signed an MOU with the Asian Film Archive where Cathay will donate 90 of its Classic Malay Films made between 1953 to 1973 by Cathay-Keris Studios, for preservation. The films are in 16mm and 35mm format. Cathay Organisation will continue to have owning rights of the Malay classic titles whilst the Asian Film Archive will store, restore and make available these films for non-commercial purposes such as research and education. Cathay Organisation will consider these requests as well as enquiries for footages for commercial usage on a case to case basis.
30 Oct, Cathay Organisation sets up joint venture company, Reel Entertainment LLC, with Emaar Malls Group LLC in Dubai to manage the development of all cineplexes in the 150 malls that Emaar Malls Group plans to open across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent. Reel Entertainment will open Dubai’s largest cinema complex at The Dubai Mall with 22 screens with 3,000 seats and 8 screens with seating for 1,200 in the Dubai Marina Mall in late 2008.
Ebar @ The Cathay by E2Max opens on level 4 of The Cathay in November. This chill out alfresco bar offers a snack menu, hot & cold drinks including beer & wine.
2008
In February, Cathay Cineplexes introduces Gourmet Popcorn at The Cathay. With seasonings and ingredients specially imported from the USA, Cathay’s Gourmet Popcorn is accompanied by snazzy packaging and also offers a specially designed gift box. The Cathay Cineplex is the first cineplex to offer gourmet popcorn. Also opened in February at The Cathay is the Hotdog Factory which offers succulent 6 inch & 8 inch dogs with a variety of toppings for dine-in or take-away.
Cathay Cineplex Downtown East located on level 4 of E! Hub opens on 18 April, making this Cathay Cineplexes' third cineplex in the heartlands. Cathay Cineplex Downtown features 6 screens seating a thousand and offers the same downtown experience of digital theatre sound, plush seats in stadium-style, late night movies, snack delivery right to the seats and special promotions.
2009
2010
On 28 March, Cathay Organisation pledges support for Earth Hour and calls on movie-goers to join hands in saving the climate. At 8.30PM, Cathay Organisation’s business outlets – including Cathay Cineplexes, The Cathay, Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, Cathay Residences, and Hangout Hotel @ Mt Emily – switched off their lights and other electrical appliances at specific premises of their outlets during Earth Hour.
On 11 November, Cathay Organisation officially marked its first foray into the Middle East with the grand opening of Reel Cinemas – a 22-screen megaplex located at The Dubai Mall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Currently the largest cinema in the region boasting THX-certified screens, state-of-the-art cinema sound and projection, and ergonomically-designed seats, Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall is the flagship product of Reel Entertainment LLC – a joint venture between Singapore’s Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd and Dubai’s Emaar Retail LLC.
On 13 May, hangout@mt.emily was selected by the popular global online portal guardian.co.uk as the Best Boutique hostel in Singapore. Hangout Hotel swears by the concept of “no frills, just fun accommodation”. It is undoubtedly a treasure find for savvy travellers looking for a fun yet fuss-free stay while travelling.
On 3 July, Hangout Hotels’ second outlet – hangout@jonker, officially opened to travellers in Malacca, Malaysia.
Cathay Organisation celebrated 75th anniversary by giving away a total of 75,000 movie vouchers as a kick-start to a 3 month long campaign. The 75,000 Movie Voucher Giveaway is their way of extending our appreciation to consumers and business partners for having contributed to Cathay’s heritage and many achievements in the entertainment and leisure industry.
2012
2013
Cathay Motion Picture Awards, an annual short film competition, was launched with the aim to help develop Singapore’s local film industry. It is the first and only movie exhibitor in Singapore to organise an annual short-film competition, which still boasts the biggest cash prize for a film-making competition in Singapore.
In 22 February 2013, the 6-hall, 1,100-seat Cathay Cineplex West Mall is Cathay Cineplexes' first venture into the west. The cinema halls boast the latest in sound and visual projection and viewers can now enjoy daily midnight screenings and double midnight screenings on weekends. Dual-functionality counters have become a signature for Cathay Cineplexes.
In 29 November 2013, Cathay opens its sixth multiplex at Jurong District, featuring energy efficient devices and eco-friendly products. The Digital Xtreme hall, equipped with the latest Dolby Atmos technology, is Cathay’s largest movie screen in the heartlands of Singapore.
2015
Cathay Organisation celebrates 80 years of history. Our Sister Mambo, Cathay’s 80th anniversary celebratory film, is the first local film in 15 years to be produced by Cathay. A tribute to the 1957 Cathay classic, Our Sister Hedy, and the 1961 family hit drama, The Greatest Civil War On Earth, local veterans Moses Lim and Michelle Chong star in the dramedy directed by Taiwan-based Malaysian director Ho Wi Ding and written by Michael Chiang.