1932
History
On December 8, 1932, three thousand three hundred guests in tuxedos and sequined dresses crowded at the corner of boulevard Poissonnière and the street of the same name, in front of an immense Art Deco façade : all of Paris celebrates the birth of Europe's biggest cinema, the Rex. Jacques Haïk, the owner and designer of the Rex, who introduced Charles Chaplin in France and called him Charlot, takes a look back at the party; he remembers all the hopes, all the disappointments, all the energy deployed around this project…'Greeted by 80 doormen in double tails and white gloves, guests discover a sky glittering with stars.'
The Rex tower rises to 35 meters above the ground, the three letters are 2.50 meters tall
- Outside, it is freezing cold. But inside the hall, in the softness of the artificial breeze, palm trees sway softly in front of minarets, ancient colonnades, Spanish haciendas, Venetian palaces, balconies and loggias crumbling under the geraniums and wistaria. Greeted by 80 doormen in double tails and white gloves, guests discover a sky glittering with stars. 'But what will we do, if the weather turns bad?' a young woman naively asks. Spectators are amazed at the size of the screen, discover the luminous steps and a gigantic stage... Meanwhile, in the basement, other visitors discover an infirmary, a permanent police station, a nursery and a kennel.
- The orchestra starts to play. Tape numbers succeed the arranged ballets of the "Rex Girls" ... From the basement rises a cathedral organ, before constantly renewed settings. The lights turn off and the feature film of the Three Musketeers starts.
A miniature Rex of 800 seats is opened in Bordeaux by the moviemaker Couzinet, designed by the same architecte, it will close in the 70s
1940
During the second world war, the German requisition the Rex not for its strategic location, but for its prestige and also to entertain the troops.
1945
From 1944 to 1954, the "forbidden" movies and the American exclusive movies will beat records at the Rex
1946: Pinnochio is the first Disney cartoon to be screened at the Rex on May 22nd 1946.
- The next day, the press is ecstatic and speaks of the "most beautiful temple ever raised to the glory of the cinema". However, the undertaking was not easy. While some shouted about the genius and others made reference to the madness, Jacques Haik, operator and distributor of films, had to defy the most pessimistic forecasts and did not yield on any point: neither the surface area of the hall (2000 m2 ground floor area), nor the height of the building. Only concession: the number of seats that went from 5000 to 3300.
- Yet, despite the huge success of the Rex, Jacques Haïk had to file for bankruptcy. The new company Gaumont bought the cinema and sold it a few years later to Jean Hellmann, Alan Byre and Laudy Lawrence.
- The second world war breaks out. The Germans requisition the hall and turn it into "Soldatenkino". They then plan to show propaganda films and films that have received authorization from the nazis. In the hall, an immense clock, permanently illuminated, recalls the hour, while during the film projection a loudspeaker gives the schedules of the railway trains…
- However, two months after the Liberation of Paris, October 13, 1944, the Rex reopens its doors to the public with a film and chewing gum at the intermission. While electricity is rationed, the Rex, after the purchase of a motor and a generator, can work with a large supply of fuel left behind by the Germans.
- Onstage, it's the turn of the attractions. At that time, the programs were designed in two parts. As a first step, a musical opening: sixty musicians conducted by a renowned conductor play the opening of an opera or a lyrical piece. Then comes the news followed by the intermission. The second part begins with attractions, characterized by stunning scene effects: cascades of water, erupting volcanoes... The film ends the program.
- Only a considerable technical device allows such a show: machinery that can bring down the decorations from the hangers or make them out of the basement scenes designed to receive the musicians of the orchestra, thirty dancers with their dressers and makeup, the agents, including their star, the giant doorman, measuring more than two meters and constituting an attraction in himself.
1950
1950: December, Gone with the Wind is screened at the Rex and the projectionist plays with his lens to enlarge the image of a few meters during the scenes of fire, the spectators of the Rex are among the first to discover the CinemaScope.
- Just after the war, between April 12 and June 22, 1945, the Rex suspends its projections and serves as a reception centre for repatriated prisoners of war.
- In 1953, Jean Hellmann tries an attraction, 'The mirror of Neptune': swimmers appear in a transparent pool installed on the stage; it is a failure. In the following year, it is replaced by the famous 'Féerie des Eaux' (Magic waters) inaugurated in March 1954 at the rising of the curtain of As long as there are men. The giant screen rises and reveals a vast pool. At the controls of a sophisticated organ, a technician propels 3000 liters of water 20 meters high; in the light of 26 multicolored projectors, 2500 water jets offer 500 effects that can be combined at will, to the rhythm of the music. Now, you can attend this each year at Christmas, on the occasion of the release of the film of Walt Disney Studios.
1960
1961: The Rex is more visited than the Louvre
1968: December, The Jungle Book is the first Disney cartoon to be screened with the magic waters on stage, considerable success with nearly half a million spectators.
1970
Founded with the Rex in 1932, "le rêve" dancing was a "chic" place, which included a great orchestra. In the 70s, fashion oblige, the club switches to disco.
1980
1988: Peter Jackson, unknown at the time, come and get a prize on the stage of the Rex wearing shorts for his movie Bad Taste
- In 1957, the Rex abandoned elevators and their attendants for one of the first escalators in France. It's Gary Cooper, accompanied by Mylene de Mongeot, who inaugurates it.
- In 1974, at the location of the old dressing rooms and rehearsal studios, the Rex opens three other cinemas. This will bring the total number of screening halls to seven in 1984 and then to eight in 1990. But braving the current of the 1970s, the Rex has never divided its large hall to make several smaller ones. It's a bet, that has been won today, to think that Rex would keep its chances if it retained all its originality.
- In 1981, the Ministry of Culture registers the Rex in the inventory of historical monuments.
- In 1988, the Grand Rex is equipped with the biggest screen in France, 'Le Grand Large': on a base of 25 meters, it is 12 meters high. It is the Luc Besson film, Le Grand Bleu, which inaugurates it, with months of success, managing to reach the record of more than 700,000 tickets during its screening. .
2000
2002: March 12, Britney Spears presents her Crossroads movie, big riot outside and a few broken windows...
- In 2009 the Grand Rex modifies its facade implementing one of the largest digital facades. This made it possible to rediscover its art deco columns, while giving it a more modern style.
- For more than 60 years, the Grand Rex program for the Christmas holiday has featured the latest cartoon from Walt Disney Studios. It is the opportunity to offer children and adults a complete show, where the film is preceeded by the magic waters and an animation with the characters that are dear to children.
- Today, the Rex welcomes nearly one million spectators. It also regularly organizes various exceptional events such as concerts, shows and the most beautiful premieres in the presence of film teams.
2020
March 14, 2020
- The Covid-19 pandemic is in full swing, and the French government has imposed a nationwide closure of cinemas. This closure is implemented as part of sanitary measures for lockdown and social distancing to limit the spread of the virus.
Le Grand Rex initiates large-scale renovation work.
- In 2020, facing the spread of the virus, cinemas were subjected to 162 days of mandatory closure, from March 14 to June 21 and from October 30 to December 31. However, due to a lack of spectators and promising movies, and for the first time since its construction, Le Grand Rex also closed its doors from August 3 to 26.
The management took advantage of the opportunity to initiate large-scale renovation work spread over multiple years to improve the spectator experience and further enhance the building’s splendor and elegance.
It took more than a year to replace the building’s air conditioning system, which dated back to 1932. All advertising panels were removed from the halls to renovate and showcase the original frescoes. Charlie Chaplin reclaimed his place in Henri Mahé’s painting as a caricatured clown during the Occupation. New Murano chandeliers now adorn the ceilings of the different floors. Theater 4 was fully renovated (theaters 3, 5, 6 & 7 were renovated from 2016 to 2019). The counters of the two auxiliary entrances were completely torn down and rebuilt with high-quality marble.
2021
National attendance record for Le Grand Rex following the Covid-19 crisis.
- In 2021, as the pandemic was still not over, theaters were subjected to an additional 138 days of closure, from January 1 to May 19, 2021. While the media were talking about the end of cinema with a historic decline in attendance due to reduced capacity, fear of the virus and the lack of major movies, Le Grand Rex still displayed an exceptional health as soon as it reopened, with a large number of entries. It implemented a policy of events that brought film lovers back in large numbers. Therefore, the number of entries sold between May 19 and December 31, 2021 significantly exceeded that of 2019, which was already exceptional in the cinema industry. Incidentally, Le Grand Rex was the only movie theater to experience this.
2022
December 8, 2022
Le Grand Rex is 90 years old!
- Le Grand Rex celebrated its 90th anniversary with a huge party attended by prestigious guests and passionate, loyal clients. This evening was the occasion to unveil its new facade after two years of renovation work. Architects Grichka Martinetti and Stéphane Thomasson were able to restore the building’s noble colors by returning the facade to its appearance when it opened in 1932. The red colors made way for champagne and cream. A long work, of about three years, was achieved, after all the modifications the building underwent throughout its history. Additionally, the large REX sign was restored to its place on the roof of Le Grand Rex, and became the only rotating sign in all of Paris.
Finally, the inside was also refreshed. Therefore, the great hall was fully redecorated, including the installation of marble flooring, reminiscent of the original floor. But renovation also goes with innovation, and a brand new laser projector, the most powerful in the world, was installed to offer the best possible experience for the spectators.
2023
Summer 2023
- Building on its success, Le Grand Rex continues to renovate its building to always provide an original and exceptional experience for its audience.
Therefore, after having transformed and modernized all its “small theaters”, Theater 2 is the last one to be modified. Built in the 1970s, it is completely demolished to make way for a luxurious and premium theater with 300 seats and a bar directly within the theater. The goal is to make it one of the most beautiful movie theaters of the world and one of the most modern.
- Le Grand Rex hosts many other activities. In addition to cinema, it is also a venue for shows, concerts, with a Rex Studios Museum, an Escape Game, and also a world-renowned nightclub: Le Rex Club.
Established in 1988, Le Rex Club, an electronic music temple, is the only nightclub ranked in the top 100 of international nightclubs every year. It is also being fully transformed in order to enhance its customers’ experience.
THE FILM HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAST 15 YEARS
12 mars 2002
Britney Spears vient présenter son film Crossroads.
1er octobre 2002
Vin Diesel présente le film XXX.
5 novembre 2002
Avant-première Mondiale du Disney La Planète au Trésor avec David Hallyday sur scène.
10 décembre 2002
Avant-première européenne Les Deux Tours en présence de Peter Jackson et son équipe.
11 février 2003
Avant-première du film Chicago en présence de Richard Gere, René Zellweiger.
12 juin 2003
Avant-première de 2Fast 2Furious en présence Paul Walker, Eva Mendés.
4 novembre 2003
Avant-première de Kill Bill en présence de Tarantino.
9 janvier 2004
Avant-première du Dernier Samourai en présence de Tom Cruise.
13 mars 2004
Dans le cadre du festival Jules Verne, James Cameron, assiste flûte de champagne à la main, au balcon, avec son public, à la projection de Titanic en Grand Large.
26 février 2005
Monty Python Party en présence de Terry Giliam et Terry Jones
10 octobre 2006
Avant-première des Infiltrés en présence de Léonardo Di Caprio et Martin Scorcese.
17 novembre 2006
Avant-première de Casino Royale en présence de Daniel Craig, Eva Green, orchestre symphonique sur scène.
27 avril 2007
Avant-première de Spider Man 3 en présence de Sam Raimi, Tobey Mc Guire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco.
27-28 octobre 2007
Convention pour les 30 ans de Star Wars, premier marathon dans le monde après les USA à projeter les 6 films.
23 avril 2010
Exclusivité mondiale pour l'anniversaire des 30 ans de L'empire contre- attaque avec la présence de Mark Hamill.
25 juillet 2010
Avant-première de Karaté Kid en présence de Will Smith, son fils et Jackie Chan.
5 Aout 2010
Stallone et ses Expandables pour l’avant-première du film du même nom.
24 août 2010
Avant-première de Salt en présence d'Angelina Jolie.
22 octobre 2011
Avant-première mondiale de Tintin en présence de Spielberg, Jamie Bell, Gad Elmaleh.
28 septembre 2011
Avant-première de The Artist en présence de Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Béjo, Michael Hazanavicius.