The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

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At the heart of Downtown Cairo, specifically at 35 Talaat Harb Street, stands a building that tells an Egyptian story of how cinema entered our lives. Metro Cinema wasn’t just a movie theatre in Downtown; it was a star on the red carpet in an era when art had a completely different vibe.

The Story Behind the Famous Line

“3 o’clock show at Metro Cinema,” a line we heard in Reham Abdel Hakim’s voice in the song Fiha Haga Helwa featured in the film Asal Eswed. But the choice to mention that particular cinema in the song wasn’t random. Behind that line is the story of the first air-conditioned cinema in Egypt and the most luxurious movie house built in the heart of Cairo in 1940.

The Metro Cinema was established by the global company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), which at the time was one of Hollywood’s most prominent film producers. Furthermore, the cinema opened with the premiere of the legendary international film Gone With the Wind.

Artistic Design

At the time, the cinema was revolutionary in every aspect: it had air conditioning for the first time, 1,526 comfortable seats, stunning décor made of mahogany and cast iron, and luxurious carpets laid over marble staircases. It was a truly artistic and architectural masterpiece, designed by the great American architect Thomas Lamb in collaboration with Italian and Egyptian engineers.

However, while the Metro Cinema was a symbol of luxury and art, it also witnessed turbulent political moments. In 1947, a bomb exploded inside it during the screening of an American film. Later, in 1952, it was completely burned down during the events of “Black Saturday.” It was rebuilt from scratch but with a different spirit; a new décor that resembled an African jungle, with masks, shields, and animals on the walls.

Princess Alexandra of England Visit

At the height of its glory in the 1980s, it was even graced by Princess Alexandra of England, who attended a special screening of Death on the Nile. Sadly, over time, the cinema began to lose its sparkle and transformed from a jewel into just a memory—were it not for the ongoing efforts to restore it, which continue to this day.

But if you walk into Metro Cinema today and feel the scent of the golden days, don’t be surprised! Because it’s not just a place; it’s a state of mind, a box of memories for so many people.