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Although long gone, the original tracking for the main traveller
curtain was unique in Melbourne. Atop the proscenium, the
tooled-leather valance was a convex curve. As the curtains opened
they flowed back towards the screen. Later, before the image
faded to black, the curtains came curving forward towards the
audience. For those with long memories, who can forget the
simultaneous sliding of the panel, stage left, and the first image
on that screen? “You are listening to Laurie Wilson at the
Hammond Electric organ”.

A purist might object that, on this design, Taylor had abandoned
his earlier spare, sleek, aesthetic, and had ‘tricked-up’ the Rivoli
to court a more middlebrow taste. The continuing success of the
theatre proves that he was right to do so.

In the conversion to a multiplex, which opened in May 2000,
Village has honoured the taste and skill inherent in the original
building. To CATHS’ minds, the test of a quality fit-out is whether
a blank screen is curtained. This is the case in each of the eight
cinemas.

When Melbourne’s best city theatre opened in the mid-1920s, it
was soon given a clever advertising tag-line. Change just one
word and the tag has on-going relevance: After all there is only
one Rivoli. ê

Images:
Cinema and Theatre Association (UK).

Right: The Rivoli today. A portion of the new build can be seen far right.
Below: Cinema One reprises the original lounge and circle area.

CINEMARECORD # 88 33