A movable vane type compressor having a rotor rotatable within a cam cylinder. The inner peripheral surface of the cam cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor approach each other most closely at a plurality of positions which in combination define a plurality of compression chambers between these peripheral surfaces. The rotor carries a plurality of movable vanes which are movable radially inwardly and outwardly with their one ends held in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cam cylinder as the rotor rotates so as to cause suction, compression and discharge actions in each compression chamber. A refrigerant passage for introducing the refrigerant gas into the compression chambers is formed between the side plate closing one axial end of the cam cylinder and a front cover covering the side plate. The suction passage extends in a hook-like form in the direction of rotation of the rotor.