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The Athenaeum Theatre
A Brief Historical Overview
The original two-story brick building
was erected in 1842. It contained a
library, reading room, and a hall where
Council met. In 1872, the Institute's
new hall designed by Alfred Smith,
opened as the Melbourne Athenaeum.
The upper hall was converted into an
art gallery in 1910 and the hall was
converted into a theatre in 1921.
When the circle flashed again we My wife recalls that she and a The Athenaeum Theatre, as it stands
pressed the changeover button to switch friend went to a film at the Athenaeum today was created in 1924, however
sound and picture to the other projector. in 1972, before we were married. It was movies were being shown as early as
There was a lot of skill and expertise Victoria the Great (1937) starring Anna October 1896. Opening night was
involved and that is where the Neagle and Anton Walbrook, made in December 23, 1924. Between 1924
fascination was for us. 1938 but revived in the 1970s. She and 1929 many notable shows were
staged .
Seating at the Athenaeum was didn’t realize it was such an old film
standard theatre-type seating, not plush. when they went to see it, but it was a On February 02 1929 Frank Talbot
arranged with Union Theatres for the
The seats had cast iron sides and good film and they enjoyed it anyway. first sound film, The Jazz Singer, to be
wooden arms. The seat cushion was In those days everybody dressed up to shown at the Athenaeum. Hoyts took
square with padded leatherette go to the pictures. control of the cinema in 1931.
covering. The back was scooped-out The Athenaeum verandah was used From 1932-1948 the theatre showed
wooden frame with upholstery studs for openings at the Regent and its exclusively British films. It was
along the top and side edges. The seat basement Plaza directly across the road. reportedly, the only theatre in the
would swing back when you stood up. We would either use small spot lamps to world at that time to show exclusively
British films. One of the last films to
Seats in the lounge were more highlight vehicles as they arrived, or
be shown under this arrangement was
comfortable, possibly red velvet. Those searchlights to play across the front of
Hamlet.
were the higher priced seats. the theatre. It had to be done from a
Films continued unbroken between
The Days of Thrills and Laughter vantage point across the road. 1929 and 1970. Seating capacity
was shown at the Athenaeum. It was a Those sure were the days! records (Film Weekly: Motion Picture
compilation of old silent films. I was Directory) vary from 963- 999.
told to screen it in widescreen format On 4th April 1970, the Athenaeum
by the chief projectionist, but that closed as a cinema, reopening as a live
cropped the top and bottom of the film. theatre from 18th April 1970. On
October 22 1970 it went back to
I had a call from the Chief Engineer on
screening films. It finally closed as a
the opening day saying there had been
Hoyts Picture Theatre on 19th January
complaints (in many scenes heads and 1977, after which live theatre returned
feet could not be seen). I said I’d been - and continues.
told to show it in widescreen, but after Earlier this year the theatre received a
that we ran it in standard format. major upgrade with renovation and
restoration set to ensure it continues to
entertain Melbourne audiences for
many years to come.

Acknowledgments:
Harold Aspinall; Alan Winn (from a
Telephone interview with Susan Kruss, 6th
November 2006). Film Weekly Magazine;
Photographs from the collections of
Harold Aspinall and Kevin Adams.

32 2010 CINEMARECORD