From Theater to Cinema: The Birth of Cine Alcazar
In 1913, the Teatro Alcazar was built on 1 Rue de la Kasbah by a Jewish merchant of Andalusian origin, a member of the Cohen family. Under the direction of artist Antonio Gallego, the venue hosted numerous theater troupes and renowned singers, becoming a cultural landmark in Tangier. The nearby medina gate even took its name from the theater Bab Teatro (“Theater Gate”).
Just a few meters away, two new cinemas opened their doors: the Capitol and the American Cinema. To stay competitive, the Cohen family decided in 1917 to transform the Teatro Alcazar into a cinema, renaming it Cine Alcazar.
A Modern Marvel of Its Time
The newly converted cinema was designed with two separate entrances: one for the balcony and boxes and another for the cheaper orchestra seats (2 pesetas). With a capacity of 700 spectators, the Cine Alcazar screened silent films, accompanied by a live pianist playing behind the screen.
In a city striving to be avant-garde, the Cine Alcazar was a symbol of modernity and quickly became a local favorite. Despite the emergence of larger cinemas in the 1930s—such as the Rex (Cinema Rif), Roxy, Goya, and Mauritania—the Alcazar maintained its popularity. Films were advertised on blackboards with enticing descriptions: action, kisses, violence, adventure… Even the Gran Teatro Cervantes, converted into a cinema, couldn’t overshadow the Alcazar’s charm.
The Golden Era Under Mimon Cohen
In 1945, the cinema was purchased by another Tangier Jewish businessman, Mimon Cohen. Despite its smaller size, the Cine Alcazar became the most popular cinema in the city, known for its high-quality Spanish-language films. The experience was complete with lemonade vendors and even a police officer present in the theater to maintain order.
By the 1970s, the Alcazar was still thriving, screening quality Spanish films for just 60 cents a ticket. However, as time passed, the cinema gradually fell into decline.
The Final Curtain
After decades of entertaining Tangier’s residents, the Cine Alcazar closed its doors in 1993, marking the end of an era. Today, it stands as a testament to Tangier’s rich cultural and cinematic history, a nostalgic reminder of a time when going to the movies was a magical experience.
Would you like to see the Cine Alcazar restored to its former glory? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Did you enjoy this dive into Tangier’s past? Stay tuned for more stories about Tangier’s hidden historical gems! #Tangier #CinemaHistory #MoroccanCulture #cinealcazartangier #cinema #tangier #tangiers #alcazar #morocco
