The Rex opened with 'Heidi' starring Shirley Temple on 9th May 1938 to full civic applause.
Due to progress and the received wisdom of the time – home videos and voracious multiplexes were it. Small single screen cinemas were dead and gone.
Hence The Rex closed down on 28th February 1988.
It reopened as it is now on 5th December 2004. Far from dead, it sells out almost every night, whatever the film.