The end of an era in Harold's Cross as the Classic Cinema shuts down.
The Classic Cinema in Harold's Cross, Dublin shows a last film before closing.
The Classic Cinema was the home of the cult film 'The Rocky Horror Show' which broke all Irish cinema records by running for the past 21 years.
The cinema was known for screenings of The Rocky Horror Show featuring enthusiastic and fanatical audience involvement. The shows at the Classic Cinema were such a success that many of the audience members were invited onto television shows to replicate their performances which took place throughout the screening of the film. Over the years, thousands of Rocky Horror fans have come to the late night screenings at the Classic Cinema dressed as transvestites to mime the words and sing along to the film. One fan has been to the show 800 times.
Albert Kelly the owner of the Classic Cinema, has decided to close the cinema. Albert Kelly could be seen at the cinema greeting customers seven nights a week. He is surprised by the public outpouring of support and sadness as the cinema closes its doors.
The closure of the Classic Cinema comes at a time when the cinema business has never been better in Ireland. Michael Dwyer, film critic at The Irish Times, describes the closure as the end of an era. It is particularly sad to see the Classic Cinema close on its 50th anniversary.
Now Dublin is down to just one suburban neighbourhood cinema, the Stella in Rathmines.
The Classic first opened as The Kenilworth in 1953. The building has now been sold but it is not known who bought it and what their plans are.
Tonight it closed its doors to film buffs and the auditoriums are silent.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 28 August 2003. The reporter is Sari Houlihan.
