Page 31 - CR

The Roma closed in 1985 and was
turned into shops.
The Kensington closed in 2003 and
lay vacant for a number of years until
being purchased and transformed into a
modern night club, set to open in 2011.
The Showcase City Cinemas, not
even opened when I initially left town
in 1986, closed in 2008 at the hands of
an unsympathetic landlord.
I have relied on my memories for
this article, as well as newspaper
archives and the book Front Stalls or
Back for dates and some details.
However, I am all too aware that
memory plays tricks, so if I have made
errors of fact, I apologise. I am
reminded of my memory of seeing One
Hundred and One Dalmatians as a child.
My recollection was that I saw it at
Now to the sad part of the story… the Lyric, but the Lyric didn’t have
All of the theatres I have discussed columns in the stalls, the Civic did.
except the Strand are still standing, but When checking the newspapers of the
only Greater Union’s Tower Cinemas time, I noted that the film opened at the
remains in use as a cinema. Civic. Problem solved. However,
The Royal was given a very looking ahead a week in the newspaper,
sympathetic twinning in the late 1970s, I noted that the film moved over to the
but the opening of a brand-new Lyric from the Civic. So, did I see it at
suburban multiplex Hoyts 6 the Civic or the Lyric? Who can say?
Charlestown nearby would see the For the purposes of this story, I like
death knell for the old lady. It is now the idea that I saw it at the beautiful old
used by a religious group as a church. Civic, columns and all, and a lifetime
The Strand was closed by Greater of memories.
Union in 1978, unneeded in the light of
their flash new triplex in King Street. Advertisements courtesy of Crosley Carpenter.
It was demolished in 1979 to make way Photographs from the Kevin Adams Collection.
for a shopping arcade. Front Stalls & Back by K.J.Cork & L.R.Tod.

The Cinema And Theatre Historical Society Inc. is proud to have
The Sun Theatre Yarraville as our major sponsor. Many thanks to member
Mr Michael Smith, the owner of the Sun Theatre, for providing the venue for
CATHS meetings and events.

For program and venue hire inquiries, contact Theatre Manager Ms Kris Jannson
on Tel: 9362 0999 Fax: 9362 0338 Website: www.suntheatre.com.au

Email: kris@suntheatre.com.au

8 Ballarat Street, Yarraville 3013

CINEMARECORD 2011 31