Page 18 - CR

he St James Theatre
TOpened: 3 October, 1952
Closed: 23 September 1993.
(5)
On 24 September, 1952 , the
Empire de Luxe was to close; and
after further alterations the theatre was
re opened as St James (3 October).
The new name was taken from the old
St James in Princes St which had
closed in 1951. A new candy bar was
built under the grand staircase.
Additional toilets, offices and storage
spaces were also built at this time. The
grand staircase and the entry foyer were
carpeted during this refit.
(5)
On 24 December 1954 Vista
Vision was installed and the screen
measured 26ft x 16 ft. This was Above: Moray Place entrance in 1993. Below: Entrance as the St.James.
followed later by CinemaScope. On 28
March 1967 the theatre again closed The theatre was equipped with a
and was renovated prior to re-opening pair of Cinemeccanica Victoria-10
on 5 May 1967 with a 70mm 35/70 mm projectors and the latest in 6
presentation of The Great Race. track magnetic Stereo Sound. The circle
To accommodate the 60 ft x 30 ft, seating was reduced to 796. The project
70mm screen a large “picture frame” cost $100.000.
proscenium was built in front of, and The Kerridge Odeon circuit was
(5)
somewhat above, the original . Given purchased by the Pacer Pacific
the elevation of the new screen and the Corporation in 1987 and traded as the
effects on sight lines, all but 50 of the Pacer Kerridge Corporation. In
stalls seats were removed. December 1992 Pacer Kerridge was On the 23 September 1993 Everard
Cinemas closed the St James and
The covering of the beautiful placed in receivership and in January
original proscenium removed the focal 1993 Everard Films Ltd took over the Hoyts closed the Century theatre with
an unusual screening of Gone With The
point of the Eastern styled theatre. remnants of the chain.
Wind. The first part screened at the
Century and then the audience moved
to the St James for the second part.
The next day the Hoyts Octagon
Multiplex (6 screens) opened nearby
on the Octagon - on the site of the
former art deco Octagon Theatre.
After its closure the St James
languished empty for some years whilst
various options were considered for its
future. At one point a restaurant
occupied the front entrance area. The
eight large medieval murals were
painted by these tennants. These are
still featured along the long entrance
vestibule.
The 70mm projectors were removed
and sold to Peter MacQuarters of the
Aeroview Museum at Ashburton.
Building the new 70mm/CinemaScope screen in front of the 1928 proscenium.

18 2010 CINEMARECORD