This is the monstrosity that paved the way for the destruction of nearly 20 city cinemas when it was originally opened in 1976. Once it had proved itself as the way to the future of moviegoing all other cinema chains in Sydney disposed of their individual theatres and they were subsequently demolished.Most of those demoished were generally considered some of the prettiest and well maintained in Australia.
The Hoyts Entertainment Centre was built on the site of the Sydney’s art deco ballroom, The Trocadero, and when it opened in 1976 it consisted of 7 screens.All screens were equipped for 70mm but only 3 had screens of a size suitable for 70mm projection. The auditoriums had no decoration whatsoever apart from woollen curtains over the screen. The walls were bare concrete and there were no ceilings, just steel trusses left exposed. The foyer areas were hideous beyond belief, just to prove that Australians could manage to take shopping mall ugly, one step further! From the day it opened it started to deteriorate until it changed hands several times in the 80’s and 90’s. In an effort to make the monster pay for itself they started to economise in drastic ways like dividing cinemas, no maintenance, no trained projection staff,no foyer staff,no security, closing toilets etc until the point that most of the public refused to enter such a filthy, neglected place. It was then decided the place would be remodelled to incorporate the Greater Union complex next door and then show films from all 3 major exhibitors under one roof and split the costs.
Reopening with 17 screens,some have a 70mm capability but distributors won’t supply 70mm prints because of a lack of trained staff. Decoration is less vulgar but still tasteless.In many ways the whole complex is redundant as cinemagoing outside downtown Sydney is a thriving and more pleasant experience.
It may no longer be decrepit and filthy but it sure is the ugliest place in the city centre to see films and pretty much the only choice. All in all a depressing and dangerous place to find yourself for a night out!
Edward:
Although Edith Head designed the costumes for a couple of MGM films right at the end of both their careers she was not head designer at Metro but Paramount. That prize postion belonged over the years to Adrian,Irene,Helen Rose and finally Walter Plunkett who remained salaried but not working until Kerkorian closed the production wardrobe.
The old MGM lot(Sony) also has a spacious and well equipped theaterette for the employees just inside the studio gates…..
Are you in a position to talk about upcoming renovation work? I love the website but it tends to just give an overview of what amazing work has been done by the “Friends of the Loews”. I want to hear about whats coming up.
I also want to ask about the drapes throughout the theatre. Have they been fire retarded. Can they stay? It’s important the originals are retained and sometimes a deal can be struck with the fire department on an historical basis. It is, of course, possible to recreate but the patina of the originals contibutes so much to the ambience of the building. On the same subject, are there any plans to recover items of the original furniture. Do you have any in storage?
Maybe if the website involved its readers with the forward planning aspect of the restoration it might be reflected in donations??? It is such a fantastic opportunity to get involved in restoring one of the countrys most important Cinema Treasures, not to mention one that is so complete.
What fantastic and informative details on this most spectacular of showplaces. Thanks Mahermusic, I for one am interested in any more you may have to offer.
Opera House? Recording studio!!!!Instead of just posting your idiotic comments MICHAEL why not read the excellent explanation just a few comments above on why this and many other movie palaces are not suitable for Opera or symphonic music. THEY HAVE BAD ACOUSTICS!!! You can overcome cramped conditions backstage but if the sound is bad what is the point?
Maybe you need to get out more, see an opera or music concert and appreciate what is needed for unamplified performance and stop the stupid comments.
This is the monstrosity that paved the way for the destruction of nearly 20 city cinemas when it was originally opened in 1976. Once it had proved itself as the way to the future of moviegoing all other cinema chains in Sydney disposed of their individual theatres and they were subsequently demolished.Most of those demoished were generally considered some of the prettiest and well maintained in Australia.
The Hoyts Entertainment Centre was built on the site of the Sydney’s art deco ballroom, The Trocadero, and when it opened in 1976 it consisted of 7 screens.All screens were equipped for 70mm but only 3 had screens of a size suitable for 70mm projection. The auditoriums had no decoration whatsoever apart from woollen curtains over the screen. The walls were bare concrete and there were no ceilings, just steel trusses left exposed. The foyer areas were hideous beyond belief, just to prove that Australians could manage to take shopping mall ugly, one step further! From the day it opened it started to deteriorate until it changed hands several times in the 80’s and 90’s. In an effort to make the monster pay for itself they started to economise in drastic ways like dividing cinemas, no maintenance, no trained projection staff,no foyer staff,no security, closing toilets etc until the point that most of the public refused to enter such a filthy, neglected place. It was then decided the place would be remodelled to incorporate the Greater Union complex next door and then show films from all 3 major exhibitors under one roof and split the costs.
Reopening with 17 screens,some have a 70mm capability but distributors won’t supply 70mm prints because of a lack of trained staff. Decoration is less vulgar but still tasteless.In many ways the whole complex is redundant as cinemagoing outside downtown Sydney is a thriving and more pleasant experience.
It may no longer be decrepit and filthy but it sure is the ugliest place in the city centre to see films and pretty much the only choice. All in all a depressing and dangerous place to find yourself for a night out!
Edward:
Although Edith Head designed the costumes for a couple of MGM films right at the end of both their careers she was not head designer at Metro but Paramount. That prize postion belonged over the years to Adrian,Irene,Helen Rose and finally Walter Plunkett who remained salaried but not working until Kerkorian closed the production wardrobe.
The old MGM lot(Sony) also has a spacious and well equipped theaterette for the employees just inside the studio gates…..
Hi Mahermusic, Can you contact me direct? .uk
Thanks.
Are you in a position to talk about upcoming renovation work? I love the website but it tends to just give an overview of what amazing work has been done by the “Friends of the Loews”. I want to hear about whats coming up.
I also want to ask about the drapes throughout the theatre. Have they been fire retarded. Can they stay? It’s important the originals are retained and sometimes a deal can be struck with the fire department on an historical basis. It is, of course, possible to recreate but the patina of the originals contibutes so much to the ambience of the building. On the same subject, are there any plans to recover items of the original furniture. Do you have any in storage?
Maybe if the website involved its readers with the forward planning aspect of the restoration it might be reflected in donations??? It is such a fantastic opportunity to get involved in restoring one of the countrys most important Cinema Treasures, not to mention one that is so complete.
What fantastic and informative details on this most spectacular of showplaces. Thanks Mahermusic, I for one am interested in any more you may have to offer.
Opera House? Recording studio!!!!Instead of just posting your idiotic comments MICHAEL why not read the excellent explanation just a few comments above on why this and many other movie palaces are not suitable for Opera or symphonic music. THEY HAVE BAD ACOUSTICS!!! You can overcome cramped conditions backstage but if the sound is bad what is the point?
Maybe you need to get out more, see an opera or music concert and appreciate what is needed for unamplified performance and stop the stupid comments.
Brilliant Michael, you are fool for this April and any other time of the year!!!!!!