Page 18 - CinemaRecord #77C

ecently announced plans to open new In November 1959 the theatre closed for 10
Rboutique cinemas in Adelaide’s Regent days and the beautiful plaster proscenium
Arcade has created some confusion as to the with its Pegasus flying-horse motifs was
actual location of the proposed project. This permanently obscured from view when a
brief article on the site may help explain a giant curved screen with new curtains was
complicated history of its cinema heritage. erected in front of it for the TODD-AO
release of the film South Pacific. The Plaza
In years gone by, situated on a laneway became the home of many big hits such as
behind the mighty Regent Theatre on Oklahoma; Can-Can and West Side Story.
Rundle Street and with an entrance between
shops that faced Grenfell Street was the
Embassy Ballroom - Grenfell Street.
Embassy Ballroom. For many decades,
“dancers tripped the light fantastique” on its
highly polished floor.

In 1955 the Embassy was gutted and
converted into the single-level, 735-seat,
Plaza Theatre which was owned and built
by Waterman Brothers (Ozone Theatres), but
leased to Hoyts. The new theatre retained
much of the ballroom plasterwork in its
auditorium walls and ceiling, but was given Original Plaza proscenium.
a fancy new CinemaScope proscenium
Embassy rear being converted.
and a modern new entrance foyer which
was accessed from Arcade Lane which ran
alongside the Regent.

A charity matinee on Thursday October 27,
1955 saw the new Plaza officially opened
by Katherine Hepburn who starred in the
opening attraction Summer Madness.
A larger screen was fitted within the existing
proscenium for the release of Around The Proscenium covered in 1959.
World in 80 Days in April 1958.

Embassy rear as new Plaza entrance.

18 2013 CINEM AREC ORD