Page 24 - CR

In 1929 sound-on-film was introduced
but there was a delay at West’s. Perhaps
synchronized film and sound in 1913 was
not so good for Wests. Whatever the reason
sound did not commence until 20 November
th
1929 when Maurice Chevalier starred in
Innocence of Paris.

The ‘Stage and Screen’ item in The Advertiser
reported. ‘the sound system was installed
by Western Electric Engineers, ‘The wiring
of West’s Pictures for Cinesound giving
excellent reproduction’.

Cinesound was also used at the
Wondergraph (Sound-on-Disc for The Jazz
Singer) as well as at Adelaide’s Mayfair and OCT
York Theatres! 1929

It puzzles me why the use of ‘Cinesound’ In 1938 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announced
is connected to Union Theatres in Adelaide their intention to build a new theatre directly
two years before the first movie or review opposite Wests in Hindley Street.
was made under the Cinesound banner by
Union Theatres. West’s Olympia was now an old building
and with the Regent only 10 years old and
DEC NOV now a new Metro directly opposite, the
1922 1929 decision was made to rebuild, retaining the
stage and dressing rooms of Olympia.

The October 6 1939 opening of the all
th
new MGM Adelaide Metro with most of its
fixtures and fittings imported from America,
saw representatives of Lowes Inc. in Adelaide
from New York. The Metro represented
formidable competition! It was expected that
the rebuilt West’s Olympia was to be called
“The State”. Greater Union ads in The News
announced ‘Congratulations from the New State
to the New Metro’ with a graphic illustration
of the new State showing Leslie Howard
JULY in Pygmalion!
1928
Below: The name never eventuated
- at least not at this site!

OCT
1939

24 2012 CINEM AREC ORD