Built by the Taiwanese Navy in 1951, Zuoying’s Zhongshan Hall is representative of modern theaters and assembly spaces at the time of its construction. Symmetrical concrete bodies, a large French window in the facade, and anchor decorations fully illustrate modernism and the naval spirit. In the early days, Zhongshan Hall was located in a military controlled area. At that time, the hall was mostly used to for Zuoying Naval Base troop gatherings, movie screening, and recreational purposes. By the 1960s, the hall opened to the public for movie screenings. With an increase in the number of visitors, a commercial center formed in the surrounding area. In 1962, the Navy built Zhongzheng Hall (Cultural and Recreational Center), with Zhongshan Hall and Zhongzheng Hall respectively showing second-run Taiwanese movies and second-run Western movies. In 2009 and 2012, Zhongshan Hall and Zhongzheng Hall were closed, respectively. Zhongshan Hall is currently transitioning into a Chinese opera art center for the city.
左營／海軍中山堂
海軍中山堂為中華民國海軍於1951年所設立，為當時極具代表性的現代主義戲院與集會空間建築，中軸線對稱的混凝土量體、正立面大面積落地玻璃及船錨裝飾，充分的展現了現代主義與海軍精神，從當時海軍總司令留下了銘刻更能感受當時設立中山堂為康樂之用，帶給海軍弟兄適遣與慰情、同寄幽趣於堂廡之下的用心。
設立初期海軍中山堂因位於軍事管制區內，故多為左營基地中的海軍集會、放映電影與劇團勞軍之用，直至1960年代才對外開放提供民眾前來觀賞電影，隨著人潮的熱絡，周邊也逐漸形成商圈，更於1962年另建了海軍中正堂(文康中心)，轉換為中山堂播映二輪國片；中正堂播映二輪洋片的經營方式，而兩間相繼於2009與2012年結束營業，現今海軍中山堂正以「高雄傳藝園區」的方向修復再利用。
文／黃則維、柳青薰
圖／臺灣豫劇團、高雄市立歷史博物館、高雄市政府文化局