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THE GREAT CITY PICTURE PALACES by George Ivanoff

ustralia’s first cinematic experience took place on Saturday
A22 August 1896, as part of Harry Rickard's Variety Theatre at the
Melbourne Opera House. The Argus hailed it as the "greatest wonder
of the nineteenth century", and many people flocked to see the few short
moments of film. From these humble beginnings, the cinematic
phenomenon expanded at an astounding rate.

Hoyts De Luxe, Bourke Street, Melbourne

The idea of building picture palaces in large numbers was first
conceived in America, in an attempt to bolster falling cinema
attendances after 1922. These impressive buildings renewed the
American public's enthusiasm for cinema. Although attendances in
Australia were still healthy, the first American style picture palace, the
Prince Edward, was built in Sydney in 1924.

Harry Rickard’s Melbourne Opera House, Bourke Street, Melbourne
Prince Edward Theatre, Castlereagh Street, Sydney
Realising the popularity of film, exhibitors financed the building of larger
and more spectacular cinemas, such as the Majestic (1912) in Flinders In that same year, two more were constructed - the Wintergarden in
Street, Melbourne, and the Hoyts De Luxe (1915) in Bourke Street. This Brisbane and the Capitol in Melbourne. Situated in Swanston Street,
trend culminated in the late 1920s with the construction of numerous the Capitol, designed by Walter Burley-Griffin, officially opened on
grand cinemas that were classed as picture palaces. November 7, 1924. The Argus reported on its opening and gave the
following description of the cinema:
Below: Majestic Theatre, Flinders Street, Melbourne
Below: Wintergarden, Queen Street, Brisbane

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