Page 9 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

•••

'I Ill II

Centre Cinemas

The main theatre is now called Cinema 1 and only the stalls area is used for film screenings whilst full seating
facilities are used for live performances. The projection booth in this cinema is equipped with two Italian
Victoria X, Cinemeccanica projectors fitted with Xebex Hi Beam 1V lamphouses fitted with Xenon lamps. An
Eprad Starlet sound system is installed. The films are transported on locally made film towers.

Cinema 2 is equipped with a pair of 104 - X2 portable projectors, a Smart Model 11 B sound system. A film
platter as well as a tower are located in this projection booth.

Cinema 3 is equipped with a 104- X2 portable projector, a film tower and a Pioneer sound system. None of the
cinemas are automated.

The Centre Cinemas current screening policy is based on multi-film and multi-sessions over seven days.
Since the installation of the additional cinemas business has rapidly improved thereby consolidating the future
of the theatre.

The Twentieth Century Theatre

Architect: Harry A. Birt Opened: November 1937
Builder: Perc Dawe Closed : 31st, December 1959
Owner: J. Downie

In March 1937 the Health Department received an application for approval of the new Twentieth Century
Theatre to be built on the western side of Firebrace St., near the corner of Baillie Street. A Mr. J. Downie of East
Malvern was recorded as the applicant. He was the owner of the Garden Open Air Theatre next door to the
proposed theatre site. (1).

This theatre was a large two level brick building of Art Deco styling. The gabled roof was supported by steel
trusses. The front wall was cement rendered and features tall windows topped with panels of exposed bricks.
Wrought iron grills were used to create decorative balconies at the first floor level. A stylized logo, a vertical
neon and a clock were also featured at the frontage.

The original building application stated the theatre seating capacity would be 782 (484 Stalls and 298 in the
circle). The seating was reconfigured to give the theatre a capacity of up to 1 009 patrons ( 4 ). The building was
entered through fours sets of centrally located doors. The downstairs foyer contained an island ticket box, a left
hand side staircase to the upper foyer and ladies and gents toilets. Shops were located on each side of the