Paul Bezzina, Birgu
Cinemas in pre-war Cottonera recalled
Marc Zimmermann, chairman of the Cinema Heritage Group, interviewed by The Sunday Times (July 31), described the Rialto Cinema in Cospicua, now a scheduled grade two building, as “unique for being the only Art Deco cinema in Malta”.
Issue No. 50 (Easter 2011) of Treasures of Malta regaled us with a splendid write-up on Malta’s cinemas in Valletta and Sliema before World War One. The eminent Judge Giovanni Bonello, a prolific writer and contributor to most things Maltese pertaining to art, culture and history, narrated in fascinating detail his researches about these early places of entertainment.
Before World War II, Cottonera – Bormla, Birgu, L-Isla – was a hub of commerce, skilled workers, artisans, politicians, notaries, lawyers, doctors and photographers. Bormla (Cospicua) boasted of a post office and health services besides having four markets: Is-Suq il-Qadim (Paolino Vassallo Square), is-Suq il-Ġdid, which included a fish market (Gavino Gulia Square), is-Suq ta’ Fuq San Pawl (near L-Isla) and Bonnici Market Place (Sta Margerita area).
Entertainment was not lacking; there were three cinemas, the Rialto (owned by the Said family, Ġużeppi, Romeo and Rafel, Tal-Vapura), the Windsor and the Rio. Dancing in costumes at the cinema halls was popular during Carnival.
Collectors of Melitensia may have some old photographs of Bormla’s cinemas which they would like to share with readers. Hopefully, a knowledgeable person could shed more information through a short supplementary article, possibly illustrated.
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Alan Ciantar
Aug 31st 2011, 15:51
It's the exterior that's left from the Rialto..sadly !
Victor Pulis
Aug 28th 2011, 11:54
I have vivid memories of the times ,not very frequent i must admit, I used to go to see a movie at Rialto. What I remember most are the tall blue painted glass panes as one ascended the stairs to the theatre. I recall the blue reflections on people's clothes and faces which used to fascinate me.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 28th 2011, 10:19
Although not from one of the three cities, thanks for the information.
Perhaps someone would make a complete list of all the cinemas that were opened in Malta and Għawdex together with their addresses and any photos that may be available.
Denis A. Darmanin
Aug 28th 2011, 10:11
Well done Marc and CHO. Maybe another data source is to arrange for visits to aged Cospicua and Cottonera residents and possibly those who formerly hailed from there and live elsewhere, and to collect first hand experiances from them.
To many of us post-war children who went to the 'talkies ta' Bormla', the Rialto also meant the illuminated gondola sign, the fountain at the bar that changed colours, the potato crisp with a small purple bag of salt inside, iz-Zebbugi at the bar and others possibly no longer with us.