Page 28 - CinemaRecord #82

PENRITH

Penrith Drive‐In (D.Kilderry)

Penrith Drive‐In.

Originally called the Penrith Twin Cinemas,
this venue opened in 1979 on the site of the
Tattersall’s Hotel. A true twin, both cinemas
seated 400 each.

In 1982, after several operators, the cinemas
closed for internal changes. The auditoriums
were streamlined and the seating reduced with
Cinema 1 seating 342 and Cinema 2 holding
336.
In 1983 it was purchased by Mike Walsh’s
Hayden Theatres (who already operated the
twin cinemas in Lawson St). This gave the
company four screens in Penrith and caused a
name change to the complex. It became known
as Hayden 3-4 and later Hayden High Street.
The former Cinema 2 became number 3 and the
old Cinema 1 was renumbered as Cinema 4.
The Starline Drive-in opened in O’Connell Plans had been made to extend this to a 5-screen
Street in 1965 as an independent venue. complex by extending in to the Venture shop
It had space for 391 cars which was increased next door and to have an entrance from the
to 403 in 1966 and then to 700 in 1970. It soon rooftop car park, however this never eventuated.
incorporated into the major chains as part of the The cinemas were closed quietly in February
Skyline circuit. 1993 and most of the fittings were sold to the
At the height of the video boom it was closed Regent Cinema at Richmond (NSW) for use to
in 1984. The vacant site was eventually cleared twin that location.
and remains unused.
High Street Twin.
(K.Cork)
High Street Twin.

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