Metro Theatre

This theatre has been closed for several years. It was converted to a triple screen known as Albert 1 2 & 3. Last year this complex was closed in favor of the Greater Union/Hoyts "merger" in Brisbane.

Jeffery,
what is the address of this place? what is it now??

Nath again, have done some research. It turns out that this theatre, which is now un-used, And on Albert St. will be demolished in the coming year. The original architect of the metro was William Fountain. He was from the USA, and was working on the theatre in 1937. He was in flight from brisbane on buisness to sydney when the Stinson plane carrying him crashed into the lammington national park, QLD. His family's where abouts have never been traced. He was from New York city USA. The theatre couldn't get a 'historical' label attached to it.

This theatre is currently being stripped of it's tacky 70's interior to be used as retail for a while - prior to it's eventual demolition.

Loved this Metro theatre. As a child growing up in the 60's as an MGM house it screened all the disney features. Went there many times.

However all its amazing Art Deco features were wrecked when it was tri-plexed in 72/73.
Even the facade was altered - covered up with a 70's style cover over the original facade. I wonder if any of the old interior will be un covered in the current stripping. As the lobby area and upstairs lobby remained the same space with the conversion.

Its hard to believe that even the "new"Metro is no longer, not that it is obviously any loss as they completly destroyed the original.

I have an interior photo taken around 1966 when part of the auditorium ceiling collapsed due to an accident on the adjacent office building when under construction.

It was a reststrained art deco style, very attractive. The only problem with the old Metro was the acoustics at the back of the balcony, somehow the sound system did not cover this area adequately. Also the rear balcony seats were really too far from the screen as the theatre was quite deep in relation to its width.

Nevertheless it was a bad loss for Brisbane. When I was last in that city, some 9 years ago, the Albert st. area around the theatre had become very tacky from how I remembered, perhaps the old theatre had got its revenge!

As of this week (Mon October 25) demolition due to begin on this building. This was reported in local weekend papers.

As you can see from other comments , this once superb theatre was a mere shadow of it's former self. The only trace of it's days as the Metro Theatre (prior to the 1972 multiplex conversion) was in the lane way behind the theatre ...where a painted sign clearly said Metro Theatre Engine Room. Luckily I took a photo of this about six months back. Also lucky to come upon a copy (photocopy) of the opening magazine issued upon the opening in the 30's.

Wish I had some more detailed colour photo's , not sure how many shots were taken inside pre 72 when Greater Union purchased the theatre from MGM...and tri-plexed it...then covered up the art deco facade with a false 70's facade.

It was here in Brisbane "Gone With The Wind" screened first time around.

It is to be replaced by an 8 storey building.

I have in my possession a bronze plaque of Marcus Loew founder of Loew's Corporation which was situated in the lower foyer of the Brisbane Metro until removed by MGM Australia in the late 60's as they then decided that as MGM and Loews had long sinced devolved into separate companies the plaque was no longer appropriate.
I wonder if any other members have such a plaque as I imagine they were probably placed in all the Loews Theatres in the 20's and 30's.

Status should be changed from "Open" to "Closed/Demolished."

Further details and photos can be seen here>>> http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=au&id=30

In regards to the above link , those interior shots are actually of The Forum , not the Alberts. The Forum was a mid 60's cinema , twinned in the early 80's and closed at the same time as the Alberts.
It was gutted inside and is now a Border's Books. As for the the Alberts/Metro it is a boarded up vacant lot with remants of bricks etc. The new development has not gone ahead as yet.

Does anyone have any good interior shots of The Brisbane Metro pre tri-plexing??

As for its Adelaide cousin , I was in Adelaide for a month late last year and it was still in tact , including the art deco facade...just looking abandaned and boarded up.

My late father was General Manager of the Metro from about 1965 - 1975. He always had so many stories to tell from his time at the Theatre. Showing MGM and Disney movies it was an extremely successful cinema. He was so proud of it. For someone to tell those stories some 30 years on and still get excited about it gives you true insight into what a special place the Metro was. The Metro will be in my father's heart forever. We will also continue to share the memories.

Further to my e-mail above, my father's name was George Anastas and he will live in our hearts forever.

Hi M Anastas,
I worked with your Father, George when he was the Manager at the Metro...where I was a projectionist... and after the Metro closed, I again worked with him at the Cinema George where I was a projectionist there also. Cec Walburn at the Metro and Hec White at the Cinema George were also in the bio box at the time.
Your Dad used to give me parcels and the keys to his little two door Fiat to take parcels over to Bowen Hills among other places.
I really enjoyed the company of your Father....we was more like a good friend than my boss. I respected him greatly as did many other work colleagues.
My Dad worked as a projectionist at the Metro in the 40's and my Mum worked across the road at the St James as an usherette.
They met and as you can see, I am the result.
If you have any old photos, I'd love to see them. My Mum and Dad both in their 80's are still going strong and I am sure would also like the memories.
My email is umbgumb@bigpond.net.au
Bye for now and very best regards
Brad

Just logged on to this site and was very sad to learn of the death of George Anastas. I was treasurer and then assistant manager with George at the old Metro 1967-1972 when it was sold to Greater Union.
After I left it was wrecked by the new owners and it seems that travesty has now been demolished.
I have very fond memories of George, we used to get on really well together and had many laughs.
I am really sorry he is gone and I will not have the opportunity of meeting up with him if I ever visit Brisbane again.

Paul Lewis.
p.s. don't remember you Brad, must have been after I left.

Hi All

I worked at the Metro from 1969 - 1973 from memory. Mrs Ethel Hinds was the manager of the candy bar and my neighbour and I started working in school holidays. I remember Mr Anatas, he was really nice and I suppose my first boss. I remember stories of a ghost in the Lounge. It was suppose to be a man who died while the building was being constructed. I remember a gentlemen named Lloyd who sold candy from the tray during interval.

Never new any of the Projectionists though.