Two theaters along Ronquillo street

Ronquillo is a side street of Rizal Avenue, Manila, very near Santa Cruz church and leading to Dasmariñas and Escolta. Two theaters, Palace and Mayfair, were located along Ronquillo street. They started operation in 1951, both showing American pictures and air-conditioned.

Palace, with a seating capacity of nearly 600, was first-run category.

Mayfair was bigger, with a seating capacity of more than 800, second-run category, meaning with double features.

Like other stand-alone theaters in the ’50s and the ’60s, the architectural designs of Palace and Mayfair were impressive.

In the late ’70s, Palace and Mayfair sadly became seedy, showing mostly adult (soft porn) movies. — RKC