The Cinema And Theatre Historical Society of Australia Inc.
THE PARADISE OPEN AIR THEATRE IN ST KILDA (Vic)
The 600 seat Paradise Theatre was an 'open air' theatre with a brick pavilion enabling all year round screenings, it was opened for the summer season in December 1908. In 1913, it became the Summerland Picture Gardens with 2000 seats.
It was completely renovated in November 1918 when the name was again changed to the Rivoli Theatre, with the lease taken over by the Phillips Brothers, who also operated the nearby Luna Park and Palais de Danse.
It was purchased by Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, and demolished in 1924. Wattle Path Palais de Danse erected a new building on the site in 1924.
In 1933 the Palais de Danse was purchased by Frank Thring and used as a film studio for his Efftee Film Productions. After the studio moved to Sydney in 1936 it became the Streets of Paris Roller Rink, and later the St Moritz Ice Skating rink. By the 1980s it was in use as a night club, and was demolished in 1982.
The Novotel Hotel was then built on the site. In 2019 it was announced that the Novotel was to be demolished and a three building luxury apartment complex erected.
Images: State Library of Victoria