Plaza Theatre 435 Melbourne Road, Melbourne, VIC

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Located in the west Melbourne district of Newport. On December 20, 1913 the Williamstown Chronicle announced that because of the growing population an inspection had been made of several suitable sites to build a picture theatre in Newport. The principle’s thought that it would be an advantage if it were close to the railway station.

Ten years later the Williamstown Chronicle reported - After gaining council approval, the Newport Theatre at 435 Melbourne Road, Newport will open March 12, 1923 with the Paramount Pictures film “Blood and Sand” starring Rudolph Valentino. The manager Mr. Dark feels that the combination of star, story, director, cast makes it one of the greatest pictures of all time. Also on the same bill will be Thomas Meighan & Theodore Roberts in “If You Believe It, It’s So”. Patrons are advised to book quickly for the opening night

Kevin Adams writes - Built as The NEWPORT THEATRE in Melbourne Rd, Newport (Vic) it was given a more modern facade and streamlined/deco makeover in the 1930s as the PLAZA THEATRE. For most of its life it was run in conjunction with the EMPRESS at Williamstown Beach a few kms away. In the early 70s there was a fire that damaged the interior and the theatre was eventually demolished and a single-storey office building housing the CES (Centrelink) was constructed on the site.

Francis Buckley writes - The Plaza Theatre was not playing Foreign when it closed, it was showing second and third viewing films. It was closed right after the death of Mr Blackwood. I was working as assistant projectionist. I can’t remember what the last film was but Munity on the Bounty was a very late film shown.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -