I have attended many an event and screening at the State. I attended a couple of functions there back in the mid-80s, for what I can’t remember, but various fully catered events with waiters etc. rushing around with trays of food and drink. The building was open for the guests to explore on their lonesome or as part of a group with guide. I did both for a couple of hours. It was fascinating. My only complaint with the State is that, despite the size of the auditorium, the screen is rather small. I always prefer to sit in the cheap seats and get as close to the image as possible to compensate! Haha!
And does anyone remember the State 2, the tiny downstairs theaterette?
A terrific theatre. As a young boy I think my earliest visit was to see ICE STATION ZEBRA. The size of the screen blew me away. Other memorable movies included THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, TOWERING INFERNO and, I’m pretty sure Dario Argento’s DEEP RED and William Girdler’s GRIZZLY screened there, too.
It didn’t matter how good or bad the film, being in the Plaza always made me feel special. Apart from the screen size and grandeur of the interior design, what I remember especially is that everything sounded awesome in there.
Although I had been to numerous other Sydney theatres and drive-ins, the Paris holds a special place in my heart. Living way out in the suburbs, as a boy, when I got my very first job delivering papers for the local newsagent, I spent my first week’s pay on a trip to the movies in the city. It was also my first time going out somewhere without adult supervision. I saw a few James Bond double-features at the Paris. I vividly remember trailers for the Japanese film “The Bullet Train” and a pirate movie starring Robert Shaw. This would have 1976, so not too long before it ceased showing movies.
My Dad was a huge movie buff and amateur filmmaker, so he took me to movies from the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper… my earliest memory at a huge theatre being a family film of some description late 1967. I’m so grateful to have lived at a time when cinema going was so much more of an event — a huge night out.
Hi Cinemamad — it had poles, but I don’t recall any obstructed views.
I have attended many an event and screening at the State. I attended a couple of functions there back in the mid-80s, for what I can’t remember, but various fully catered events with waiters etc. rushing around with trays of food and drink. The building was open for the guests to explore on their lonesome or as part of a group with guide. I did both for a couple of hours. It was fascinating. My only complaint with the State is that, despite the size of the auditorium, the screen is rather small. I always prefer to sit in the cheap seats and get as close to the image as possible to compensate! Haha!
And does anyone remember the State 2, the tiny downstairs theaterette?
A terrific theatre. As a young boy I think my earliest visit was to see ICE STATION ZEBRA. The size of the screen blew me away. Other memorable movies included THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, TOWERING INFERNO and, I’m pretty sure Dario Argento’s DEEP RED and William Girdler’s GRIZZLY screened there, too.
It didn’t matter how good or bad the film, being in the Plaza always made me feel special. Apart from the screen size and grandeur of the interior design, what I remember especially is that everything sounded awesome in there.
Although I had been to numerous other Sydney theatres and drive-ins, the Paris holds a special place in my heart. Living way out in the suburbs, as a boy, when I got my very first job delivering papers for the local newsagent, I spent my first week’s pay on a trip to the movies in the city. It was also my first time going out somewhere without adult supervision. I saw a few James Bond double-features at the Paris. I vividly remember trailers for the Japanese film “The Bullet Train” and a pirate movie starring Robert Shaw. This would have 1976, so not too long before it ceased showing movies.
My Dad was a huge movie buff and amateur filmmaker, so he took me to movies from the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper… my earliest memory at a huge theatre being a family film of some description late 1967. I’m so grateful to have lived at a time when cinema going was so much more of an event — a huge night out.