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cinema owner, Sir Stephen Morell was involved with local government activities which included serving as a board mem-
ber of the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board in its early years. (6)

The Rex theatre property. having been closed for many years was offered for sale in 1935. The premises being sold tO Mr.
Frank O'Collins. (7) Mr. O'Collins formed Astor theatres Pty. Ltd. for the purposes of erecting a new building on the old
Rex site, which would house a large modern cinema se~ning 1700 and three shops. The new cinema would be known as
the Astor theatre.

Concurrently with its construction, building works were proceeding down the street for a new theatre to replace the
Royal. which by this time had passed into the bands of Hoyts. Located in Peel street and set back from Chapel street:JI:!_e _
new Hoyts Windsor theatre opened in 1937 and had provision for 1.395 patrons. (8)

The new Astor theatre was officially opened on Sa!llrday. April 3, 1936. (9) An official opening was organised by the
theatre's management. The ceremony being perfonned by Mr. A Michaelism M.L.A., in the presence of His Worship the
Mayor of SL.Kilda, Cr. Dixon), the Mayoress. Councillors and other notable persons. ( I 0). The opening taking place on
the Saturday evening, but the first screening commenced for the public in the afternoon at 2.15pm. (I I)

The opening attractions were "Hands Across The Table". which starred Carole Lombard and Fred McMurray supported
by Dean Jagger in "Wanderer of the Wasteland." Mr. Vaughan Marshall was appointed as the Astor's first manager.

The architect. Mr. Ron Taylor, the decorators and furnishers had truly produced a handsome building. The exterior is
treated in three tones of charcoal brown and dark ochre brick. The centrepiece being the large vertical neon which
contains a catherine-wheel effect which reaches to a flashing star. Another neon was once located on the roof top facing
Chapel street.

Open Well Between Upper and Lower Foyers
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