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power had to be supplied to this These acquisitions bring Readings to 19
building as direct current. Naturally, • • locations. Potential buyers are wary of
•• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • • •
when the State closed to be twinned, •• NEWSREEL •• the Victoria Gardens site where
•
the DC supply was stopped and the •• CINEMA, THEATRE & • underperformance is compounded by
building was re-wired for A.C. • •• the rental asked by the Richmond
The only other theatre that I know •• SHOWBUSINESS NEWS • landlord.
•
of that ran on D.C. was the Capitol, • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • Wait and See in Collins Street
and this was converted to A.C. in
about 1951. Sale of Cinema Centre, Bourke After four years of legal wrangles
Don Kennedy, (Home again in Port Street. the challenges to the proposed
development of 171 Collins Street,
Melbourne) Hoyts Cinema Centre, sold to
Drapac Property, is likely to become a known to CATHS members as the
More Seats Than People bulk goods retail space. (The Age, Auditorium/Metro Collins Street have
Ian Hanson’s story on the Regent March 31) The sale price was a been resolved. The owners, Adam
Fitzroy (CinemaRecord 43) was very reported $14.4 m for the 13 storey Garrison’s Wetherby Capital have
interesting. Apart from proximity to the building that was Australia’s first approval to proceed with a $145m, 19
city, another problem for this multiplex (1969). It includes 10 levels level residential, office and retail
impressive theatre was competition of office space. Hoyts will re-locate to development. However, Wetherby
from large capacity cinemas nearby, Melbourne Central where a 12 screen Capital is now considering whether it
some showing the same first-week complex is under construction. might offer the site to the market.
release program. The Merri North
Fitzroy and the Austral further along
Johnston Street both had 1590 seats,
and the latter showed three nights with
the Regent and three nights of
Independent releases with the Adelphi
North Carlton. To the south-east, Hoyts
barn-like Cinema Richmond added a
whopping 2431 seats.
These large capacity houses meant
that even major releases could only run
three nights and a second, mid week
show was essential. In 1956 the Regent
Fitzroy was one of seven locations
offering a Wednesday ‘Ranch Night’,
presumably to bolster mid-week
attendances.
Brian Miller, Brighton

Outside Hoyts Cinema Centre. Remember when the lights ran the length of the veranda
Editors Note. Brian’s mention of
and the shows were advertised above the doors as three-way sliding panels?
the Cinema Richmond requires a
correction to the table on page 20 of Anderson Update (The Age, 5 June 2004). Whatever
the Regent Fitzroy article. Cinema
The Anderson multiplexes for sale happens above and behind the
Richmond was the third largest
in Victoria were the nine-screen brickwork, the street frontage does have
suburban house, which puts Regent
operations at Victoria Gardens heritage protection.
Fitzroy into fourth place. According
Richmond, a five-screen multiplex at
to Alan Windley, an audience of New Screens Confirmed For
Woodgrove Shopping Centre in outer
1,100 at Richmond was considered Westgarth
suburban Melton and another five
Westgarth’s manager Michael
screens at the Sunbury Shopping
Yiannoudes has said that the
Centre. Initially three other cinemas –
development of three 70–seat cinema
in Colac, the suburb of Epping (both
auditoriums will take place on the site
Victoria) and Salisbury in South
of an adjacent shop, also owned by the
Australia were not for sale. Salisbury is
Yiannoudes family. The original 88
a joint venture with Hoyts.
year-old cinema will remain intact. The
Readings Cinemas have bought
additional screens will provide program
Melton, Sunbury, Colac, and Epping plus
flexibility. (The Age, 1 May 2004)
two sites under construction in Adelaide
and Sydney. (The Age, 9 June).

CINEMARECORD 2004 5