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WA legislation. By this time, an The Astor reopened on 26 July For much of this renaissance period
outdoor picture garden (popular in the 1989 with Dead Poets Society, directed the Astor was part of an alliance of
warm Perth climate) had been built by Australian Peter Weir and starring other independent cinemas, no doubt
alongside the cinema. At this time the Robin Williams. The newly installed benefiting from collective promotion
Astor shared films with Inglewood's lighting system provided a spectacular and advertising. But in recent times, out
Civic Theatre, just a mile or two visual performance of its own. The on its own, the theatre’s ads became so
farther along Beaufort Street. cinema, in its own way, had ‘seized the small that older patrons needed a
In the late 1980s the cinema day’ and looked set for a famous future. magnifying glass to read the session
received new life when it was taken The Astor did thrive for many years times.
over by Sydneysider Ron Regan. The in its reincarnation as an arthouse-style The cinema’s final commercial
theatre was restored from top to bottom cinema, although it usually had a screenings were, perhaps prophetically,
and given a bold exterior paint job with mainstream movie on offer as well. Dark Knight and Mamma Mia with Sex
jade green and burgundy providing an The new Astor was now a twin-screen in the City for some added spice. A
eye-catching contrast. The ornate cinema, with the smaller theatre special, free, farewell screening for the
plasterwork and Art Deco lines re- occupying an upstairs corner of the faithful was held on 30 August with the
emerged after many years of being building that had formerly been the curtains closing on The Rocky Horror
obscured by faded mono-coloured office of a private detective … whose Picture Show.
cream paintwork. Inside was a similar name may or may not have been Sam However, owner Bruno
story. With great attention to detail, the Spade. Zimmermann has not torn down the
auditorium was restored with the In its new Golden Age, the Astor curtains or removed the Astor’s iconic
internal plasterwork and strong Mayan presented a well-chosen selection of neon sign, which could be seen for
Flower designs blooming again. popular, artistic and classic movies. In miles down Beaufort Street. He says
I eagerly watched the progress of particular, I remember enjoying the big- he’s still in love with the place.
the renovation work, thrilled that this screen re-releases of Ben Hur and Interviewed on the ABC Stateline
fine theatre was not going to go the Spartacus, witnessing up-close the program the evening before the
way of so many suburban cinemas - chariot race and battle scenes. cinema’s closure, he said: “We do not
into a pile of rubble. think it is the end of the Astor. I think
we can still carry on.”

CINEMARECORD 2008 29