Rex Theatre
127 Rundle Mall,
Adelaide,
SA
5000
127 Rundle Mall,
Adelaide,
SA
5000
1 person
favorited this theater
The Rex Theatre, a few doors along from the Regent Theatre, officially opened as the Pavilion Theatre on June 22, 1912. A year prior to its opening was another theatre on that same site, the Arcadia Picture Palace, which opened on July 2, 1910, closing just seven months later on February 11, 1911.
In the late-1920’s, the Pavilion Theatre closed for a time and was used as a mini-golf course. In 1933 it was reinstated as a cinema and opened on March 31, 1933 as the Rex Theatre. The opening attraction was Paramount’s “The Big Broadcast” with Bing Crosby. The Edwardian style facade was not changed very much, except a new balcony verandah was added to allow patrons access to the balcony from the upstairs circle on balmy nights.
During the late-1930’s, the theatre was purchased from Union Theatres by a local Adelaide shopkeeper, who ran a few cafes around town. The original facade was replaced with an Art Deco style ‘Moderne’ front and new signage. Inside the theatre, the width of the original orchestra pit was covered by three steps which lead to the stage, and on either side were half-round steps fitted with glass tops through which indirect lighting lit the inside of the proscenium arch. In front of the French-action curtains were concealed footlights. For the first few years Paramount features were mainly shown. Set in the ceiling of the auditorium were three large indirectly lit centre domes. On really hot nights the roof could be opened to allow the cool breezes to blow through the theatre.
In 1940 the Rex Theatre could seat 1,100 patrons. The theatre then became famous as a second run house, most often as a move-over from the nearby Regent Theatre. In 1955 the theatre was bought by a neighboring department store who wanted to expand onto the Rex Theatre site. The theatre survived for another four years until in 1959, Hoyts Theatres sold their lease.
In 1961 the theatre was demolished and the department store expanded across the theatre. Needless to say that that department store is no longer there, also having been demolished and replaced by an office building with an arcade at street level.
Contributed by
KinoCQ/Australian Cinema And Theatre Society
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Such a shame
That is tragic
I cannot believe that such beautiful theatre can be demolished.
Raymond Lo/4th June,2005
Living in South Australia all my life I cannot remember this theatre and especially only a couple of doors away from my old favorite Regent which recently closed (that is a huge lose) to S.A.
I can remember sitting on a Sat Night at the Regent and seeing the Big Burgandy Curtain going up followed by the Gold curtains behind it.
When the Theatre was divided up I crept in and still remember the workman tipping the organ pipes up and the main chandelier wraped in plastic. I also had a little look in the Melbourne Regent when it was updated. Oh well we still have it. So long to the Adelaide Regent a real sad lose it was sheer class.I think it is now being divided up for retail use. The facia is still there in Rundle Mall
As a visiting Royal Navy “killick” matelot in the early 60’s, I spent a lovely (wet) day in the Regent with a couple of dozen movie-starved sailors.
The manager gave us “head of the queue” privilages and half priced tickets. They were playing a “Carry On” flick and it was one of the funniest ever.
Thank you everyone at the Regent for brightening our day. Proudly wearing our uniform ashore certainly paid off. Nowadays, one never sees any members of the Armed Services in uniform. Aren’t they proud any more?
Here in Hollywood, California, I’m the oldest usher (69) at Disney’s EL CAPITAN THEATRE and still love to spoil the countless visitors!
A Wurlitzer theater organ size 2/5 was installed in the Pavilion Theater in 1912. Status: Organ removed for parts.
O.K.