Page 35 - CR

On Sunday the group travelled to
the Eastern suburb of Randwick to visit
the Ritz Cinema Complex.
The Ritz began life in 1937 as a
mid-sized, two-level, art-moderne
(1)
cinema seating 982 patrons .
It was built by Macroy Theatres
(Randwick) Ltd. and became part of the
Hoyts suburban circuit. After closing in
1961 it was reopened as an independent
house in 1964.
The current owner, Jack Ziade has
retained the large original auditorium,
but also built two new additional
cinemas to the right of the original
building and three to the left.
These beautifully presented cinemas
are complemented with an al-fresco bar
on the first floor and a cafe at ground
level. Total seating is now 1902 and the
cinemas continue to operate
independently.
On Monday the famous 1928
Capitol Theatre in Campbell Street,
Sydney was visited. This was the first
of the Union Theatres “Million Dollar”
theatres in Australia.
The Capitol was formed out of an
extensively altered circus building
called The Hippodrome which itself
Photographs on this page:
used parts of the old Belmore Markets
Left side – The Randwick Ritz.
building.
Centre Top – Bus to the suburbs.
The Capitol is of an atmospheric Right side – The Sydney Capitol.
design that features a Florentine garden All photos by Kevin Adams.
under a sky of blue plaster - complete
with twinking stars and drifting clouds.
Sincere thanks to all involved in the
The Melbourne State Theatre foyers
organising this CATHS event, especially the
and auditorium were largely its (bigger)
theatre managements and our wonderful
twin. tour guides:
The theatre architect was Henry Ian Hanson, Stuart Greene at the State;
White working from the designs of John Wilson at the Ritz and Paul at the
John Eberson (the American architect). Capitol.
(1)
Seating was for 2773 patrons .
The cinema was closed for about
ten years prior to renovations and major More detailed accounts of
extensions to become a live theatre these three heritage listed
venue which reopened in 1995 to host theatres are to follow.
major stage productions.
(1) Film Weekly – 1956/57

CINEMARECORD 2011 35