Discover the State Theatre amazing old relic
Exemplary showing of the Grade I State Theatre
State Theatre
Discover the State Theatre in All of Us
I first heard of Harry Oscar Odell, on my tour through “Discover the State Theatre in All of Us”, an exemplary showing of nostalgic relics housed in the Grade I historic site and the oldest international-class theatre in Hong Kong.
A display dedicated to Harry Oscar Odell
In the foreword of the Dictionary of Hong Kong Biography (Hong Kong University Press, 2012), Elizabeth Sinn wrote:
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“Readers will find a full cast of players in the Hong Kong story, men and women from different parts of the world, diverse cultural traditions and all walks of life – from high life as well as low life!
Classic ticket booth
There are the famous and the infamous and every shade in between. The ‘usual suspects’ are there of course, but there are surprises too.”
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In this scholarly publication, I found the biography of one of these “players in the Hong Kong story” — Harry Oscar Odell.
Old Movie Posters
The exhibition, organised by Culture for Tomorrow, a non-profit organisation under the New World Group, provided a walk back in time – in this case, back to the North Point neighbourhood of the 1950s, when the theatre structure was built.
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From the entrance to the exhibition to the walk on the roof to admire the distinctive parabolic exoskeleton trusses, the theatre’s history was on show.
The State Theatre roof’s distinctive parabolic exoskeleton trusses
Hundreds of historical artefacts, movie posters and memorabilia provided a journey into a time-capsule-like environment.
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The streets and sights of the 1950s North Point neighbourhood were recreated, complete with shop fronts and neon street signage.
Odell initiated a legacy by investing huge sums of money for arts and culture
One of the displays, dedicated to Harry Oscar Odell, left me intrigued. It noted, “Odell left a lasting impression on local performing arts and made his name on the international stage.”
A recreated street and shop front
Further details stated that Odell initiated a legacy by investing huge sums of money to pave the way for arts and culture.
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Sinn’s foreword noted, “In 1951, as Managing Director of the Commonwealth Enterprises Corporation, Ltd., Odell invested HK$ 2.5 million to build the Empire Theatre.”
A vintage beauty shop display
Such was the impact of his bold gesture that within a few years, his contribution was recognised and publicly applauded in one of the local newspapers.
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“In the past two years, with his adventurous spirit in promoting music and his industry in breaking new ground, he has narrowed the gap between Hong Kong, the ‘cultural desert’ and the worldwide music scene.” (Chao Meipa, Wah Kiu Yat Po, 6 July 1954)
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Elizabeth Sinn’s foreword also noted: “Some, now long forgotten movers and shakers in their day, have been dredged from obscurity.”
Harry Oscar Odell was a mover and shaker in his day
This sums up the persona of Harry Oscar Odell well. He was a mover and shaker in his day. Then forgotten. But now risen again due to this timely exhibition.
1950s era announcements
Odell’s contribution to Hong Kong’s cultural history was a nice new discovery.
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Indeed, it is as the Dictionary of Hong Kong Biography had hoped – that its publication would “…put the lives of individuals on a larger canvas for a broader and more nuanced understanding of Hong Kong’s history.”
Visitors can leave messages for the future
In Harry Oscar Odell’s biography, written by Judith Green, the publication notes that he was “An affable gentleman, never without a large Cuban cigar,…”.
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He was a true original. Born in Cairo, Egypt in 1896, he travelled the world, lived an adventurous life and died in Hong Kong in 1975.
Discovering the Musical Pulse in the State Theatre
“He ran away from home at sixteen and supported himself as a tap dancer in Nagasaki, Japan before emigrating to the USA, where he enlisted and served with the American armed forces in France in the First World War.”
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Born with the last name of Obadofsky, the son of Russian Jewish parents, he changed his name to Odell when he arrived in Hong Kong in 1921.
Small movie posters
He married Sophie Weill, who was born in Hong Kong in 1900, and together they had three sons.
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In another exhibition display, Odell is called “A Hero Who Called Hong Kong Home”. His devotion to the city was tested and tried during World War 2.
Newspaper advertisements for the State Theatre
“He could have chosen to leave when Japanese troops invaded in 1941, but he instead enlisted in the volunteer corps at the age of forty-five in the hope that he could help to protect his city.”
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Odell fought in the defence of Hong Kong, was wounded, and made a prisoner of war by the Japanese.
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By 1950, North Point had become a neighbourhood for entertainment. Émigrés from Shanghai settled in North Point and brought capital and culture. Notable residents included opera and movie stars and novelists.
Entertainment hub of North Point
These new residents also brought their tastes and traditions from their homeland. Shanghai-style shops, restaurants, nightclubs and retailers created its own sub-culture, which gave the neighbourhood the descriptive title – Little Shanghai.
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Odell, who was educated in St Francis Xaviar School in Shanghai, was a part of this community and a driving force behind the emergence of Little Shanghai as a favourable environment for arts and culture.
Little Shanghai was a favourable environment for arts and culture
He was also enthralled with classical music and actively promoted this art form.
Cinematic soul of the State Theatre
The Empire Theatre was opened on 11 December 1952, with a capacity of 1,046 seats, and a dress circle with 406 seats.
Empire Theatre line up of entertainers
It was equipped with state-of-the-art sound and projection equipment, a giant screen, spacious seats, an air-conditioned foyer for patrons and back-of-stage facilities.
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A thousand guests attended the opening ceremony and screened the Hollywood film Just For You, starring Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman.
Theatre Seats
He invested his life savings in the Empire Theatre. And it was risky.
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The theatre would not long remain as he originally conceived.
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Bringing in quality programmes was expensive. Odell knew culture came with a price, and he invited international stars regardless of the cost.
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“The chances of raking in the dough through throwing recitals are slim. We have lost money on a few occasions, but it was never my concern… My purpose is to present the best musicians around the globe for the people of Hong Kong.” (Harry Odell, Wah Ku Yat Po, 18 August 1956)
Street side advertisements
Tickets for these performances had to be high also, but were not readily affordable by the residents, many who were new emigrants and refugees with meagre wages.
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The ticket prices for a recital at the Empire Theatre in 1953 ranged from $5 to $20. Prices of a first run film, in 1956 ranged from $0.7 to $3.5. This was when the daily wages of an unskilled workman ranged from $3.00 to $6.00.
The tradition method of seat assignments in the theatres
There was competition too. In the 1950s, there were another twenty theatres with over 1,000 seats, equivalent to the scale of the Empire Theatre on Hong Kong Island.
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Although Odell’s passion was priceless, it was not enough to sustain the business.
Movie announcements
In 1958, The Empire Theatre and the adjacent lot was sold. It was renovated and given a new name, State Theatre.
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By 1959, the area was converted into a multiplex, with theatre, arcades with shops, a nightclub and two residential buildings. It became a “one-stop shop for cultural entertainment experiences,…”
Shuttered and closed State Theatre 2021
The Empire Theatre, and later the State Theatre remained an important major venue for variety performances and was the city’s premier facility until the opening of the Hong Kong City Hall theatre complex in 1962.
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From the 1970s to the 1990s, the State Theatre became part of the collective memories for movie fans, as it played host during a golden age, when going out to the cinema was highly valued.
Vintage photos of State Theatre
As the story of the State Theatre pivots to a new age, the legacy of Harry Oscar Odell becomes clearer.
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His biography concludes that “By persuading internationally acclaimed artists to perform in the colony, he effectively became Hong Kong’s first impresario.”
New movie attractions
He lobbied for the building of a grander permanent auditorium at Hong Kong City Hall. In recognition of Odell’s work in the cultural life of the city, he was awarded Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1969.
State Theatre building facade
A new page for this theatre will start with its guardianship by New World Development, which bought the property and is dedicated to preserving and transforming the historical site.
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Founder of Culture for Tomorrow and CEO of New World Development, Adrian Cheng said, “Its history may have faded through time, but its story is far from over.
Vintage TV and 8 track tape player
With our conservation project, the State Theatre will return once again as a culture and arts landmark with more riveting stories to tell.”
Test & photos Cammy Yiu
