Page 10 - CR

The projection room was equipped with
Cinemeccanica Vic 8, 35/70mm projectors with
Cinemeccanica lamphouses (2.5k xenons).
Manual change overs were used. The screen
was impressive, covering nearly the full width
of the auditorium.

The main cinema was of the stadium design
with an elevated rear section and a flat front
area. The 862 seats covered in black “\Vynex”
brand material were not arranged in an offset
pattern and this created some sight line issues.

The ceiling was of a horizontal beam design
with rendered finish. The carpets were geometric
patterns of brown and orange. The walls and
screen were curtained in orange fabric and the
auditorium was lit by pelmet lighting at the top
of all the curtains. This was later augmented
with additional lights fitted to the ceiling.
Drop-off and Drive-through to park.
The smaller street-level cinema was given
the name Embassy and was entered from
the right hand side of the laneway. It was
built back-the-front with the screen near
the entrance. The seating was arranged
in one bank.

The Embassy opened on Christmas Eve
1964 with Wonderful Life (simultaneous
with some drive-ins).

There was only one aisle with a run-off
separating it from the seats. This created
some distraction with the arrival of late
comers. The small foyer contained a ticket
box and small candy bar and the restrooms
were downstairs.

Orange curtains were used on the walls
and screen and the 406 seats were covered
with burnt-orange “Vynex”. The same
brown and orange carpets were used.
Initially Kalee-21 projectors fitted with
carbon arcs were used. The screen size
was considered to be small.

Main foyer below the entrance.

10 2012 CINEM AREC ORD