Our thanks to Professor Ross Thorne for his comments but above all for his passion towards saving theatres as an important part of our architectural and cultural heritage.
The Kings was on Werona Avenue between Robert Street and the park. A block of flats replaced it.
In 1942 Guy Crick was hired to make alterations. He had designed quite a few homes in the surrounding suburbs as well as additions to the Pymble Golf Club.
The Christie organ was premiered with the film “King Of Kings” with accompaniement by Mr. Jenkins. The film was preceded by a recital with songs by Leslie McCallum.
Added to Photos: a shot of Nat King Cole who was appearing in the Harlem Blackbirds show although he got no billing on the front of house.
Several cast members were photographed taking time off at various locales like clubs and the children’s hospital.
Thanks to Chloe O'Reilly of the City of Newcastle for her help in obtaining information and photographs from the Newcastle Cultural Collections at the Newcastle Regional Library
Photo from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society.
The Civic’s address was given as Kembla Street but that was for the back of the building. The front, as seen above, faced into Civic Square. When the theatre was remodeled a new entrance and lobby was built on Kembla Street.
On November 20th, 2002, the Arcadia Twin Cinema celebrated its tenth anniversary. Guests of honor were John and Sue Kasoulis who have owned the threatre for over 25 years. It was formerly known as the Milton Theatre. Attending the gala was Robert Brainwood who owns the Roxy in nearby Nowra.
Paul Brennan who was in the theatre biz in the Botany-Mascot-Kingsford area recalls the Reno having a retractable roof in its early years so it didn’t always have a ceiling over the midsection.
The Odeon closed with “The Fall Of The Roman Empire” and fell victim to a deranged arsonist who also set fire to the Daceyville school on the same night.
The Barclay was named for Sir Norman B. Rydge’s wife whose maiden name was Barclay. Seating was reduced to 950 after the new shell was erected in 1962.
The address is definitely Mowbray Road and Willoughby Road, opposite the Willoughby Girls School.
Identified as 684 Willoughby Road on Google Earth and a United gas station occupies the site.
A 1956 phone book lists the Marlborough at 170 Norton Street, a site now occupied by the Harold Hawkins Court,
As of April 2013 this facility will be redeveloped by the Uniting (Methodist) Church, the largest providers of care for the aged in NSW.
The architect was J. C. Rennie and the theatre was built for Casmi Theatres Pty.Ltd.
Our thanks to Professor Ross Thorne for his comments but above all for his passion towards saving theatres as an important part of our architectural and cultural heritage.
Another nearby theatre is the Olympia De Luxe in Annandale.
The Kings was on Werona Avenue between Robert Street and the park. A block of flats replaced it. In 1942 Guy Crick was hired to make alterations. He had designed quite a few homes in the surrounding suburbs as well as additions to the Pymble Golf Club. The Christie organ was premiered with the film “King Of Kings” with accompaniement by Mr. Jenkins. The film was preceded by a recital with songs by Leslie McCallum.
Also close by is the Metro/Sesqui Theatre on the Pacific Highway near Hume Street.
Added to Photos: a shot of Nat King Cole who was appearing in the Harlem Blackbirds show although he got no billing on the front of house. Several cast members were photographed taking time off at various locales like clubs and the children’s hospital.
Nearby theatres include those in Roseville, Chatswood and Gordon.
Photo from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society
Photo from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society
Photo from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society.
Many thanks to Jo Hogan and Lisa Matuzelis of the Local Studies Department at the Wollongong City Library for providing information and photographs.
Thanks to Chloe O'Reilly of the City of Newcastle for her help in obtaining information and photographs from the Newcastle Cultural Collections at the Newcastle Regional Library
Photo from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society.
Photo from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society.
The Civic’s address was given as Kembla Street but that was for the back of the building. The front, as seen above, faced into Civic Square. When the theatre was remodeled a new entrance and lobby was built on Kembla Street.
Regent interior photos are from the collection of the Wollongong City Library and Illawarra Historical Society. Thank you Lisa!
Photo is from 1959. The marquee sign reads “First release simultaneous with City”
The film shown is “Too Many Crooks” with Terry-Thomas and Sid James.
Photo courtesy Ashfield & District Historical Society Inc. Thanks Ann and Mandy!
The Granville Cinema was at 129 Parramatta Road. The site is now occupied by the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union building.
On November 20th, 2002, the Arcadia Twin Cinema celebrated its tenth anniversary. Guests of honor were John and Sue Kasoulis who have owned the threatre for over 25 years. It was formerly known as the Milton Theatre. Attending the gala was Robert Brainwood who owns the Roxy in nearby Nowra.
Paul Brennan who was in the theatre biz in the Botany-Mascot-Kingsford area recalls the Reno having a retractable roof in its early years so it didn’t always have a ceiling over the midsection. The Odeon closed with “The Fall Of The Roman Empire” and fell victim to a deranged arsonist who also set fire to the Daceyville school on the same night.
The Castellorizian Club was built in 1972 and as of June 21, 2013, the image shown on Google Earth is the construction of a new, larger club
The Barclay was named for Sir Norman B. Rydge’s wife whose maiden name was Barclay.
Seating was reduced to 950 after the new shell was erected in 1962.
The address is definitely Mowbray Road and Willoughby Road, opposite the Willoughby Girls School. Identified as 684 Willoughby Road on Google Earth and a United gas station occupies the site.
A 1956 phone book lists the Marlborough at 170 Norton Street, a site now occupied by the Harold Hawkins Court, As of April 2013 this facility will be redeveloped by the Uniting (Methodist) Church, the largest providers of care for the aged in NSW.
Bio box photo shows Avalon owners Arnold Spry and son Harold with their newly installed Gaumont-Kalee projectors.