Daguanlou Cinema

　　Daguanlou Cinema, in 1905, the original "Dahengxuan Teahouse" was renamed "Daguanlou Film Theater," making it one of the earliest fixed film screening venues in the southern part of the city. On January 22, 2005, the "China Film Centenary Celebration – Daguanlou Cinema Seminar" was held, with leaders from the Central Propaganda Department, Beijing Municipal Propaganda Department, Beijing Radio and Television Bureau, Beijing Culture Bureau, and Xuanwu District Government attending and speaking. Senior leaders at the meeting congratulated Daguanlou on being the birthplace of Chinese cinema and proposed establishing the "First Hall of Chinese Cinema." In April 2005, the "Daguanlou China Film Birthplace Renovation Design Expert Review Meeting" was convened, inviting ancient architecture experts, planners, and film professionals to develop specific plans for the renovation’s purpose, decoration, functionality, positioning, form, and scale.

　　In 1905, Ren Jingfeng, the owner, also operated businesses such as "Fengtai Photography Studio," "Chinese and Western Pharmacy," and "Furniture Store." That same year, Ren Jingfeng shot the opera film "Dingjun Mountain" starring Tan Yanpei, which premiered at the Daguanlou Film Theater. "Dingjun Mountain" is the earliest domestically produced and screened ethnic film made by Chinese people.

　　In 1907, it was renamed "Daguanlou Film Theater," and the first film screened was "The Leper Woman."

　　In 1913, the "Daguanlou Film Garden" on Dashilan Street outside Qianmen was renamed "Daguanlou Cinema," underwent renovation, and officially reopened. Since then, it became Beijing’s first "professional cinema" run and managed by Chinese people.

　　In January 1927, Daguanlou on Dashilan Street outside Qianmen reopened.

　　On August 1, 1930, Daguanlou was the first in the southern part of the city to implement mixed-gender seating, causing a sensation among cinemas at the time and demonstrating the operator's relatively advanced business mindset.

　　In 1935, equipment was upgraded, and a French Pathé 35mm sound projector was installed.

　　On February 7, 1941, Daguanlou reopened again after renovation and became a well-regarded medium-sized cinema in the southern part of the city.

　　In March 1945, equipment was updated to use the Roia system.

　　On October 3, 1945, Daguanlou and seven other cinemas simultaneously screened "World War II Newsreels" and gradually showed some influential domestic films of the time. Variety shows, stage plays, and performances were also added, featuring renowned figures such as You Guangzhao, Ma Sanli, Zhao Peiru, Chang Baokun, Liu Baoquan, Xi Cailian, and Xiao Mógū, who all performed here.

　　In October 1945, Daguanlou, along with eight other cinemas including Zhen Guang, Reel, Chan Gong, Asia Hall, Xin Xin, Tong Le, and Zhong He, were among the first group to begin joint screenings.

　　In January 1955, as a pilot for the transformation of private capitalism, Daguanlou was among the first to adopt a public-private partnership model. After the merger, the cinema operated under a planned economy, essentially screening whatever films the distribution company assigned, with all box office revenue turned over according to a profit-sharing ratio.

　　On July 17, 1992, Daguanlou was rated as a "First-Class Cinema" by the Beijing Municipal Culture Bureau.

　　On February 16, 1998, Daguanlou became a "Group Member of the Beijing Film Distribution and Screening Association."

　　In February 1998, Daguanlou was named a "1997 Xuanwu District Civilized Unit" by the Xuanwu District Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee.

　　In March 1999, Daguanlou was awarded the "Best Activity Award for the ‘Watch Patriotic Films, Be Good Youth of the New Era’ Daguanlou Cup Essay Competition" by the Xuanwu District Spiritual Civilization Committee.

Daguanlou Cinema isAAAa

　　Source: Yichuan County Government Website