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December 2001 • Index of previous editions of Newsreel
A huge 20 metre screen has been installed for summer film screenings - openAIRcinema - which commenced on 16 December 2001. Enter via Gate 1, Kings Domain, Linlithgow Avenue, Melbourne. Tickets avaiable at the gate from, 7.30pm or Ticketmaster on 136 100 (service fees apply). www.openaircinema.com.au
• Checkout the Victorian Arts Centre website for further information on the Bowl: www.vicartscentre.com.au and click on 'Venues' > Sidney Myer Music Bowl. You can take a virtual tour of the Bowl, and you can also download technical info on facilities.
Birch Carrol & Coyle (owned by GU) projects include Earlville 6, Cairns; and Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore: refurbishment of existing 6 screens plus construction of 6 additional screens. In Brisbane, GU have merged their city operations with Hoyts. GU-Hoyts have built a new 8 screen multiplex on the 6th level of the Myer Centre, replacing the original Hoyts 8 that was in the basement.
The wonderful art-deco Capri in Goodwood celebrated 60 years on 8 October 2001. It had opened as the "New Star" in 1941 and was later renamed the "New Curzon" then the "Capri".
The (1925) Chelsea Cinema in Marryatville celebrated its 76th birthday on November 24 this year. The theatre originally opened as the "Princess" and was renovated in 1941 as the "Ozone"; finally becoming the "Chelsea" in 1971.
On a sadder note, we note the passing of a rural ozoner, the Port Elliot Drive In. The former Southcoast Drive-In Theatre went out in style on April 28. A gala night was held which attracted a full-house of eager film fans keen to attend this coastal drive-in which has entertained locals and holidaymakers alike since opening in 1959.
Updated 21st December
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CinemaRecord
The latest issue of CinemaRecord (#34 Spring 2001) is packed with lots of great articles and photos, including:
Checkout the CinemaRecord page for full index of back issues. Become a member of CATHS and receive your copy of CinemaRecord! Annual Membership is only $35.
Cinemas can open on Christmas Day
The Victorian State Government is to allow cinemas to open on Christmas Day and Good Friday. Victoria's Attorney-General Rob Hulls announced that the Act would be repealed next year. Victoria's Theatres Act (1958) requires that cinemas wanting to open on Good Friday and Christmas Day must apply to the Department of Justice for permission to open.
New twist in Frankston cinema development
The long on-going saga to build a new cinema multiplex in Frankston has taken yet another unexpected turn. After lodging their respective proposals for extending Frankston's main shopping centre, rival developers Gandel and Grocon have now submitted a joint proposal after Frankston City Council asked the groups to combine their bids. The new plan includes an 8 to 10 screen cinema complex. The original bids each included cinema complexes: The Gandel bid had a 10 screen Reading multiplex; The Grocon bid had an 8 screen Village multiplex. Village currently operate two twin cinemas in Frankston.
We'll have a full report in 'Newsreel' in 2002.
Moonlight Cinema
Moonlight Cinema - outdoor movies in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - has started again for summer. Enter via D-Gate Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra. Tickets available at the gate from 7.30pm or Ticketek on 132 849 (service fees apply). Screening details 1900 933 899. www.moonlight.com.au
New screens for Palace Balwyn
Work has begun on construction of an additional 2 screens for the Palace Balwyn 3 complex. The new screens will be built on the site next to the cinema. A building housing Palace Cinemas' headquarters previously occupied the site.
Anderson cinemas for Melton
Ballarat based Anderson Multiplex Cinemas are to build a 5 screen cinema complex at Melton and is due to open in the 3rd quarter of 2002. Anderson's 5 screen complex at Sunbury is now due to open mid 2002, and their Victoria Gardens 8 screen multiplex in Richmond is due to open late 2002.
New Hoyts cinemas for Ringwood and Blacktown
Hoyts have began construction of a 12 screen multiplex at Ringwood, Victoria. The complex may include a VIP style concept cinema, similar to Hoyts' La Premiere at Chadstone. Hoyts are also building a new 12 screen multiplex at Blacktown in New South Wales, to replace their existing 4 screen complex there.
Myer Music Bowl re-opens
After a $21 million refurbishment, Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl has recently re-opened. The canopy panels have been completely replaced and new facilities installed, including a green room, toilets, projection/control booth and other facilities.
Daylesford Rex multiplex plans
It is reported that the long-closed, Spanish style, Rex Theatre at Daylesford, Victoria, is to be re-developed by Ballarat-based Anderson Theatres. Although the 1928 Rex has been used for a variety of retail purposes since closure in 1963, thankfully the wonderful facade and most of the interior has remained intact. Sadly the current proposal is to divide the original large, two-level auditorium to form 3 small cinemas. (Much like its sister theatre, the Capitol at Warrnambool).
Greater Union and Birch Carrol & Coyle: New multiplexes
On 29 November 2001 Greater Union opened a new 9 screen multiplex at suburban Hornsby, north of Sydney. The new multiplex may put the future of the local Odeon Theatre at risk. And GU opened a new complex at Shellharbour, Wollongong NSW, on 20 December 2001.
South Australian news
Following hot on the heels of the Melbourne Westgarth Theatre's 80th birthday, are a couple of significant "single screen" celebrations in suburban Adelaide...
Opinions expressed are those of the Editor and contributors, and unless expressly stated so, are not necessarily those of the Cinema And Theatre Historical Society - Victoria. Thanks to CATHS members and friends for
contributing articles. Further cinema and theatre news appears in each edition of CinemaRecord.
[Martin Powell, CATHS Internet Editor April 1997 to March 2002]
Copyright © Cinema And Theatre Historical Society ~ Victoria Inc. Australia • Index of previous editions of Newsreel
except for credited photographs or other articles, where copyright remains with the respective
owners.
www.caths.org.au
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