L'Idéal Cinéma Jacques Tati
| L'Idéal Cinéma | |
| Former names | La Salle de L’Hôtel du Syndicat CGT, Splendid Cinéma à L'Hôtel du syndicat, L'Idéal Cinéma |
|---|---|
| Address | 10 Rue Wambrouck |
| Location | Aniche, France |
| Coordinates | 50°19′50″N 3°15′07″E / 50.33056°N 3.25194°ECoordinates: 50°19′50″N 3°15′07″E / 50.33056°N 3.25194°E |
| Owner | City of Aniche |
| Type | Indoor theatre |
| Capacity | 187 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1900-1901 |
| Opened | 26 January 1902 23 November 1905 (films) 3 June 1995 (re-open) |
| Renovated | 1995, 2012 |
| Closed | 4 February 1977(first run) |
| Demolished | ?? |
L'Idéal Cinéma Jacques Tati is a movie theater in Aniche, France, and is claimed to be the oldest active public movie theater in the world. The building was originally constructed for La Chambre Syndicale des Verriers (Glass Workers Union), and inaugurated as the local headquarters of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) on 26 January 1902. The theater's first public film performance took place on 23 November 1905. Since then, the building has been renovated several times.
At the turn of the 20th century, Aniche was a town with a population of about 8000 that was centered around the coal and glass industry. La Chambre Syndicale des Verriers (Glass Workers Union), which had at its peak about 1800 members, was part of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT). In 1900, under the chairmanship of Albert and Paul Gallet Quévy, the union purchased land on Rue de la Pyramide (later named Rue Wambrouck) for sixteen thousand francs, for the purpose of constructing a new headquarters and to have a large multi-purpose hall for meetings and events. Construction took place from 1900-01 for L’Hôtel du Syndicat CGT. On 26 January 1902, the building was inaugurated with Charles Adolphe Scelles as mayor. Besides meetings, the hall had its first theater performance on 18 January 1903.
On 23 November 1905, the meeting hall had its first film viewing. The film showcased was the 1902 French silent film A Trip to the Moon by Georges Méliès and the seat capacity at the time was 600. The management frequently welcomed Pathé and the Gaumont Film Company, but signed with the Splendid Cinéma company. It would showcase performances in three parts; each part would contain three different films. The theater's manager was Eloi Joseph Lanoy, who became mayor of Aniche in 1910. When Splendid Cinéma withdrew in 1911, the management worked with Excelsior-Rehauss and Rex Cinema to continue showing films. During World War I, the theater was used by the Hispano-American Committee, under the auspices of the Red Cross, to deliver food supplies to the region until 31 March 1919.
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