Ritz Theatre 424 Oxford Street, Mount Hawthorn, WA - Grand opening 1938

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Ritz Theatre 424 Oxford Street, Mount Hawthorn, WA

West Australian Newspaper (Perth, WA ) Monday 25 April 1938

NEW PICTURE THEATRE - Ritz Opened at Mt. Hawthorn.

The Ritz, a new picture theatre on the corner of Oxford-street and North Beach-road, Mt. Hawthorn, was officially opened by the Minister for Work (Mr. H. Millington) on Saturday night. Designed by Powell, Chisholm and Cameron and built by T. Snook and Co. the new theatre is planned on modern lines with ample light and air and excellent acoustic properties. Externally it has the straight lined, stepped back block effects favoured in modern architecture and a perpendicular curved top sign sets out the name of the theatre in bright lights.

The spacious entrance hall has walls finished with specially treated and attractive looking brickwork. The facade is cream coloured with tiled pillars. Internally the theatre is well set-out with comfortable seating accommodation for 1,000 people. The walls are texture finished in deep cream devoid of ornament except for well arranged coloured lighting. The sides of the stage are banded with alternate lines of concealed red, green and blue lighting. The handsome curtains are of sheer vieux rose and tone well with the lighting and wall treatments. The lounge is comfortably furnished with a floral carpet and attractive window treatment.

Mr. Millington, who was introduced by Cr. Graham, congratulated the joint proprietors, Messrs. C. During and A. T Parker, on their enterprise and the architects and builders on the result of their efforts. The theatre was an indication of the civic progress of Mt. Hawthorn. The large audience indicated that the confidence of the proprietors had not been misplaced. During the opening ceremony the stage was beautified by floral decorations sent by the Film Renters' Association and Mr. A. V. Neilson of British Empire Films.

Robert Taylor stars in opening program

The opening programme, which will be repeated today and tomorrow, was MGM’s “The Man in Possession,” with Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor, “Michael Strogoff,” with Anton Walbrook and Elizabeth Allen, and shorts - Contributed by Greg Lynch -