THE SET
1970s- before the show
“when going to the movies was a real treat , a weekend reward from your parents ”
Remember , those were the days when most families were big, and it would be extremely expensive to buy first class or balcony seats for the entire family, unless you are well-to-do
The Queue
Back in time when people doesnt have much entertainment Queuing outside the old Penang cinema was an event in itself long lines snaked along the sidewalk , filled with restless children and parents fanning themselves in the heat Some brought foldable stools or newspapers to sit on
Eavesdrop
Back then , some couldn’t afford a ticket , so they’d hang around outside to 偷聽 ( eavedrop) the movie through cracks in the doors or open windows One guy might lean by the wall , pretending to wait , just to catch bits of sound Even hearing the film was a thrill
Umbrella Days
In those days, families would huddle under a shared umbrella , shielding themselves from sun or sudden rain It was part of the experience sweaty, noisy, full of chatter Nowadays, you don’t see that anymore cinemas are in malls , air-conditioned and sheltered ,
plan view
THE SET
Threshold Passage
“That flashlight beam wasn ’ t just to show you a seat it was a guiding star into a temporary heterotopia“ When the usher stamped your hand , it felt like permission to forget the outside world
Ticket-Tearing
Back then ticket tearing was a ritual a crisp rip, a quick glance and a stub handed back by the usher at the entrance It felt personal like being officially let into a special world Nowadays, it's just a QR scan at a machine fast , efficient , but missing that little human moment
Stamping
In the past, some cinemas used rubber stamps the usher would press it firmly onto your ticket , leaving a smudged mark as proof of entry That thud and ink smear felt official , almost ceremonial Today it's all digital no stamps no paper just a beep and you ' re through
Slipping for Free Show
Back then , some cheeky kids now the boomers we know would sneak into the cinema by slipping through the gaps between adults’ legs in the crowd They’d crouch low , time it just right, and vanish into the dark hall unnoticed It was a game of guts and timing, just to catch a free show
THE SET behind the scene
“Behind the cinema , shadows gathered children , workers , wanderers watching the world unfold without paying a cent ” A silent cue , a pull of the curtain , a blink the show had begun, but no one saw the conductor “The ushers moved like ghosts with flashlights not seen , but always felt”
Stolen Shows
Back then some kids would quietly stand outside a neighbor’s window sneaking peeks at their TV The flickering black-and-white screen was enough to hold their gaze, completely mesmerized Even just a glimpse felt like a special treat
Cinema Spot Check
He walked slowly down the aisle with a small torch in hand , its narrow beam cutting through the darkness as he scanned the rows of faces The soft shuffle of his footsteps was enough to stir unease but it was that sudden flash of light that made everyone sit up straight
35mm Film Projector
Up in the projection booth , the old machine came to life , spinning its reels with a steady whir A flickering beam of light shot across the hall , cutting through the dim , dusty air People fell quiet as the screen lit up, and just like that , the story began to unfold
THE SET during the show
“FOR just 40sen , many of us got to buy a third-class ticket to watch a movie A third-class ticket meant sitting on the first three rows of a cinema with our necks craned to focus on the giant screen in frontAnd you can imagine the discomfort if you were seated on the extreme left or right of the first row In some cinemas , the class distinction was further aggravated by the wooden thirdclass seats as cushioned seats were only for first and second class , as well as balcony seats also known as “ upstairs ”
Body leans back chest open head tilted in a burst of laughter Arms rest loosely by the side hands open The whole body radiates release relaxed muscles , fluid posture, caught midlaugh in a wave of shared amusement
Suspense
The body leans forward , elbows tense on the armrests , knees bent at an angle ready to spring Hands grip the seat edges, fingers stretched The posture is alert , frozen mid-motion as if the figure is physically pulled toward the screen
Emotion
Shoulders slouch slightly inward , spine relaxed One hand rises to the face in a gentle, slow motion wiping a tear or shielding emotion Legs stay still , but the upper body softens , folding into itself with quiet restraint
