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crossed the ceiling and supported plaster panels, in each Although this theatre was by far the most decorative of all
of which grille work was located. The stained timber beams of Manly's theatres, it met an early demise, having been
and general design were fairly typical 1920's style . demolished in 1960.

The Rialto was remode11ed in 1928, the improvements The transformation of the Rialto was quite amazing.
being mentioned in "Building". However, a second and Kenworthy transformed it from a rather tawdry Tudor style
total rebuild of the interior was undertaken in 1933. On to a remarkable work of art best described as "Spanish Art
this occasion, Mr. Smythe engaged the services of George Deco". There were also a number of structural changes
Kenworthy, a noted English architect. Kenworthy was re- the most noticeable being the removal of the loges from
nowned for his "Art Deco" designs. A feature which typi- the side walls. Also gone were the wall to ceiling tie rods.
fied his styling , was the architectural designed plaster
panels and opalcne moderne lighting. Kenworthy designed The last cinema built for the Smythe's was the Embassy
new theatres for various companies as well as extensive theatre which was built at Manly Wharf in a street called
remodelling work to existing theatres. The years 1933 to The Esplanade.
1937 would sec his work at its peak.

The Olympic T heatre, formerly the Britannia- Sydney Road, Manly. (Jan Hanson Collection)

Newly remodelled, the Rialto was quite a very decorative With its opening on July 31, 1933, the Embassy was to
cinema. which embodied all the latest features. The ceil- add another I ,603 seats (5). The opening of this theatre
ing treatment was totally altered with longitudinal light- ultimately meant the end of the Britannia theatre, which
ing placed in the centre of decorative florid art deco ele- had been renovated in the 1920's and renamed the ''Ol-
ments. Where the loges had been removed, panels indi- ympic". Also closed by this time was the Palace theatre at
rectly lit from the bottom were installed, whilst the lower the comer of South Steyne and Ashbumer Streets.
portion of the walls were treated in a Spanish scumble
effect. The Embassy theatre was indeed as impressive as a build-
ing can be, as you can see in the accompanying photo-
The proscenium was also revamped. Some of the decOJ·a- graph. "Building" magazine shows the theatre in its July
tion containing angular and curvillinear elements with 12, 1933 publication being called the Pacific theatre, a
symbolic sun rays arc not unlike those elements still in name which it was never given. The architect was W.P.
situ at the Orphcum theatre at Cremorne, another Holdswoth (6).
Kenworthy masterpiece.
In its new guise, the Rialto contained seating for I ,422.

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