Fodor's Expert Review Pathé Tuschinski Cinema

Although the official architect of this "Plumcake" (so described when it first opened in 1921) was H. L. De Jong, the financial and spiritual force behind it was Abram Icek Tuschinski (1886–1942), a Polish Jew who after World War I decided to build a theater that was "unique." And it's safe to say that he achieved his goal, with the contributions of interior designers like Pieter den Besten, Jaap Gidding, and Chris Bartels—a dizzying and dense mixture of Jugendstil, Art Deco, and Amsterdam School styles. The frescoes of elegant women by Pieter den Besten were discovered in 2000, under layers of paint. To this day watching a movie from one of the extravagant private balconies remains an unforgettable experience—especially if you are in the "love seats," drinking Champagne. There's also a daily audio tour (book via [email protected]).