History

The next day, the press is ecstatic and speaks of the "most beautiful temple ever raised to the glory of the cinema". However, the undertaking was not easy. While some shouted about the genius and others made reference to the madness, Jacques Haik, operator and distributor of films, had to defy the most pessimistic forecasts and did not yield on any point: neither the surface area of the hall (2000 m2 ground floor area), nor the height of the building. Only concession: the number of seats that went from 5000 to 3300.

Yet, despite the huge success of the Rex, Jacques Haïk had to file for bankruptcy. The new company Gaumont bought the cinema and sold it a few years later to Jean Hellmann, Alan Byre and Laudy Lawrence.

The second world war breaks out. The Germans requisition the hall and turn it into "Soldatenkino". They then plan to show propaganda films and films that have received authorization from the nazis. In the hall, an immense clock, permanently illuminated, recalls the hour, while during the film projection a loudspeaker gives the schedules of the railway trains…

However, two months after the Liberation of Paris, October 13, 1944, the Rex reopens its doors to the public with a film and chewing gum at the intermission. While electricity is rationed, the Rex, after the purchase of a motor and a generator, can work with a large supply of fuel left behind by the Germans.

Onstage, it's the turn of the attractions. At that time, the programs were designed in two parts. As a first step, a musical opening: sixty musicians conducted by a renowned conductor play the opening of an opera or a lyrical piece. Then comes the news followed by the intermission. The second part begins with attractions, characterized by stunning scene effects: cascades of water, erupting volcanoes... The film ends the program.

Only a considerable technical device allows such a show: machinery that can bring down the decorations from the hangers or make them out of the basement scenes designed to receive the musicians of the orchestra, thirty dancers with their dressers and makeup, the agents, including their star, the giant doorman, measuring more than two meters and constituting an attraction in himself.

Just after the war, between April 12 and June 22, 1945, the Rex suspends its projections and serves as a reception centre for repatriated prisoners of war.

In 1953, Jean Hellmann tries an attraction, 'The mirror of Neptune': swimmers appear in a transparent pool installed on the stage; it is a failure. In the following year, it is replaced by the famous 'Féerie des Eaux' (Magic waters) inaugurated in March 1954 at the rising of the curtain of As long as there are men. The giant screen rises and reveals a vast pool. At the controls of a sophisticated organ, a technician propels 3000 liters of water 20 meters high; in the light of 26 multicolored projectors, 2500 water jets offer 500 effects that can be combined at will, to the rhythm of the music. Now, you can attend this each year at Christmas, on the occasion of the release of the film of Walt Disney Studios.

In 1957, the Rex abandoned elevators and their attendants for one of the first escalators in France. It's Gary Cooper, accompanied by Mylene de Mongeot, who inaugurates it.

In 1974, at the location of the old dressing rooms and rehearsal studios, the Rex opens three other cinemas. This will bring the total number of screening halls to seven in 1984 and then to eight in 1990. But braving the current of the 1970s, the Rex has never divided its large hall to make several smaller ones. It's a bet, that has been won today, to think that Rex would keep its chances if it retained all its originality.

In 1981, the Ministry of Culture registers the Rex in the inventory of historical monuments.

In 1988, the Grand Rex is equipped with the biggest screen in France, 'Le Grand Large': on a base of 25 meters, it is 12 meters high. It is the Luc Besson film, Le Grand Bleu, which inaugurates it, with months of success, managing to reach the record of more than 700,000 tickets during its screening. .

In 2009 the Grand Rex modifies its facade implementing one of the largest digital facades. This made it possible to rediscover its art deco columns, while giving it a more modern style.

For more than 60 years, the Grand Rex program for the Christmas holiday has featured the latest cartoon from Walt Disney Studios. It is the opportunity to offer children and adults a complete show, where the film is preceeded by the magic waters and an animation with the characters that are dear to children.

Today, the Rex welcomes nearly one million spectators. It also regularly organizes various exceptional events such as concerts, shows and the most beautiful premieres in the presence of film teams.

Le Grand Rex celebrated its 90th anniversary with a huge party attended by prestigious guests and passionate, loyal clients. This evening was the occasion to unveil its new facade after two years of renovation work. Architects Grichka Martinetti and Stéphane Thomasson were able to restore the building’s noble colors by returning the facade to its appearance when it opened in 1932. The red colors made way for champagne and cream. A long work, of about three years, was achieved, after all the modifications the building underwent throughout its history. Additionally, the large REX sign was restored to its place on the roof of Le Grand Rex, and became the only rotating sign in all of Paris.
Finally, the inside was also refreshed. Therefore, the great hall was fully redecorated, including the installation of marble flooring, reminiscent of the original floor. But renovation also goes with innovation, and a brand new laser projector, the most powerful in the world, was installed to offer the best possible experience for the spectators.

Building on its success, Le Grand Rex continues to renovate its venue in order to always provide an original and exceptional experience to its audience.
After transforming and modernizing all of its 'small theaters', Theater 2 is the last to be redesigned. Built in the 1970s, it has been completely demolished to make way for a luxurious and premium 300-seat auditorium, called the Infinite Theater, featuring a bar directly inside the auditorium. The goal is to make it one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world and one of the most modern.

Following extensive renovation work and continued dynamic activity, Le Grand Rex has been named the most beautiful cinema in the world by the prestigious Timeout magazine.