Globe cinema (POS) was established 87 years ago on March 19, 1933, at the corner of St. Vincent and Park streets by Gokool Meah. Although it had opened 20 years after The London Electric, Trinidad and Tobago’s first purpose-built cinema, its existence was undeniably significant. Many would flock to the cinema, often leaving behind the pain of poverty and entering a realm of pure imagination.

In its initial manifestation, Globe cinema was called Metro Cinema. Its owner, Gokool Meah, had entered a partnership with American film producer and distributer, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) to exclusively show movies emanating from its studios. In those days, MGM was one of the top American studios producing films such as Possessed (1931) Tarzan and His Mate (1934) and Boys Town (1938).

Metro cinema was quite the palatial structure and is described as having a faux classical style. Like the cinemas of old, Metro had a tiered seating arrangement with house, pit and balcony sections. Persons could select seating based on the experience that they wished to have or, quite plainly, what they could have afforded. The building was built for over $80,000, an astronomical sum at the time, and could seat over 1,000 people.

Metro cinema was rebranded in 1938 following a breach of contract: Gokool had begun to show films from other competing studios in contravention of the original agreement. MGM thus ended its affiliation with Gokool and so the name Globe was born. He later extended the franchise to (Market Street) Chaguanas and (Railway Road) Princes Town.

While the First World War saw economic enrichment for Gokool (after buying multiple properties in Port of Spain that had gone into receivership), the Second World War marked his death at the ripe old age of 92 in 1940.

For most of the 20th century, Globe cinema continued to do well but its popularity, along with that of the global cinema industry, began to wane in the 1980s. At this time, the movie industry faced steady competition from the rise of VHS technology which allowed audiences to view films from home. This trend of home-viewing has continued into the present with the popularity of cable programming and internet television streaming services. Another blow to single-screen cinemas like Globe came with the rise of multiplexes which have captured the remaining cinema-going audience. Thus, many cinemas all over Trinidad and Tobago have either closed their doors permanently or have converted into churches or nightclubs.

Although Globe POS no longer functions as it did some years ago, it still stands in near original form and has even hosted the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival in 2014. Globe cinema remains a magnificent vestige in the heart of a modern Port of Spain.

Address: Corner St Vincent & Park Streets

Town/City: Port of Spain

Region: Port of Spain

Site Type: Cultural Heritage

Ownership: Private

Public Accessibility: Restricted Access

Cultural Community:

Site Features: Private Buildings