Capitol Theatre update
Craig Cahill, manager of the Capitol Theatre, reports that the new lift (to provide access from the arcade to the foyer and auditorium) commenced operation on September 10. The Capitol has also recently installed a new Panastereo CSP4200 sound processor as part of an upgrade to full digital sound. A rear shop and basement area have been purchased for a future hydraulic lift to service the stage. An Open Day is planned for later this year.
On Tuesday evening 18 September, 9.30pm, Channel 9, the "Stingers" episode Fool to love you, features the Capitol. This episode was shot in the upper foyer and may be of interest to you all.
Maryborough closes - and re-opens
Although twinned in recent years, the fate of Maryborough's Paramount Theatre hangs in the balance once again. The complex had this year been closed for some months, leaving this central Victorian city without a cinema venue. Fortunately, the cinema has recently re-opened - albeit with reduced screenings. (Proporietor Jon Medlin said that Cinema 2 will resume screenings when some replacement parts for the cinema's projector can be tracked down.)
However, the recent announcement by Nestle Australia that they are to close their Maryborough factory by September 2002 with the loss of 140 jobs is a major blow to the local community and will again place pressure on the Paramount and other businesses in the town.
Checkout their website for Program information: www.vicmovies.com
Charlton Cinema
Steve Walsh and Dennis Davis are the new owners of the 439 seat Charlton Cinema, now The Rex. MGS are currently upgrading the sound system there. The Rex is located at 30-34 High Street, Charlton. Tel: 03 5491 2333. Below are some photos of The Rex, taken by Justin Coogan of MGS:
The Last Great Vaudeville Show
A step back in time... A leap forward for medical research
One Night Only
Proudly produced and directed by Reg Gorman and Judy Roberts
A joint project between Rotary International and the Rotary Liver Cell Bank at the Royal Childrens Hospital:
Acrobats, Dancers, Singers and Old Time Comedians - all make a vaudeville show.
For 50 years from 1875 to 1925 vaudeville was the popular entertainment of the masses. And now you too can enjoy all that this form of entertainment has to offer!
Tickets: $45 each plus postage and handling for phone bookings. Book now: 9537 2444.
8pm Friday 9 November 2001, Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda.
Dromana Drive-In
The Dromana Drive-In is constructing new ticket boxes, then later a new Projection room atop the existing one, in preparation for their new (third) screen next year. The ticket boxes will allow four lanes of entry which should greatly reduce entry times.
Wonthaggi new lessee
The Wonthaggi Arts Centre will have a new lease of life as a prestige cinema now that it is being operated by experienced showman, Keith Stevens. The modern council-owned building replaced the original 1924 Union Theatre that existed on the same site for many years.
Frankston multiplexes
The continuing saga of Frankston's on-again off-again cinema complex developments has now become even more complex! Three multiplex proposals are currently being considered. Details in CinemaRecord No. 33 Winter 2001.
Sun multiplex plans
The Sun Theatre Yarraville - home to CATHS meetings - has announced plans for a major refurbishment. The popular art deco cinema is to be expanded to house a total of five screens plus a theatrette, pending planning approval.
Owner Michael Smith says: "I love this building ... and our plan is to highlight and play on the architecture, and do something truly sensational. If anyone has ever seen Mike Walsh's Hayden Orpheum cinema in Sydney, an old art deco cinema, converted with every auditorium an art deco masterpiece, they will know what we plan. We will continue the theme of comfort, with large seats, lots of leg room and will have the coffee tables. Screens will be huge, sound will be awesome - the experience will be the best in Melbourne."
"Heritage Victoria has approved our plans and are very happy with our proposal."
Two of the new screens will be housed in a new building to be constructed in the yard behind the theatre. Seating capacities of the cinemas will be 200, 170, 100, 70, and 60. Disabled access will be provided for the five cinemas.
Technical features will include:
• DTS and Dolby digital spread around the cinemas.
• All projection will be Bauer: B14s in four of the cinemas, and a 35/70 Bauer U3 in the main auditorium.
• Speakers, THX approved, by Krix of Adelaide.
• Screens will be a mix of Matt White and 1.3gain Pearl.
Michael's company, MGS, currently has a workshop and offices in the former stalls area of the Sun. The workshop, which features beautiful art deco architecture, will become the new main auditorium for the Sun. MGS manufactures, supplies and installs curtains, screens and equipment in cinemas and theatres. They plan to move the workshop to another local factory.
It is hoped to have the project completed in 2002. It is planned to carry out the work so that the existing auditorium can keep running throughout the majority of the construction. Detailed drawings of the proposal are currently on display in the cinema foyer.
Cinema Websites
A couple of websites to check out:
The vision of www.CinemaTour.com is "to thoroughly research and document the locations and histories of cinemas throughout the world".
www.silverscreens.com lists movie theatres in Europe and the United States. Has lots of photos.
