Century Theatre
586 George Street,
Sydney,
NSW
2000
586 George Street,
Sydney,
NSW
2000
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Site is now an office building.
This opened as Crystal Palace on June 24th, 1912 and reopened as Century on January 25th, 1938. Both grand opening ads for these cinemas are in the photo section. My Fair Lady opened on July 28th, 1965.
I remember the last movie I ever saw featured on the marquee here was the surf title Summer City, starring a very young Mel Gibson. Late 1977 / early 1978. The Arcade next door had the soundtrack specialists Ava and Susans for years as well.
Hey Ian, do you have any info on the Star at Bondi Junction? Thanks!
The Century theatre was altered for cinemascope in 1954. There was a slight increase in widening the proscenium as a result. In 1938,the theatre posessed an early electroninc Hammond organ. The console was located left side of the stage in a niche column that portuded out in front of the prosecnium. It was demolished in 1954,no one knows what became of the organ. Stanfield Holiday appeared there for the opening,follwed by Penn Hughes.
Projection equipment in the Century Theatre was Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 35/70mm with Ascraft arcs. The plant was installed for the Sydney season of “MY FAIR LADY” in 1965. However,the long narrow auditorium did not really enhance the 70mm movies. The screen was only 36ft wide. Xebex zenon lamphouse replaced the ashcraft in 1974.
Projectors sold to Campbelltown Dumaresque Street twin in 1980.
Muggo, check your Newcastle City Library for a copy of “Front Stalls or Back: A History of the Newcastle Theatres” by Les Tod (me) and Kevin Cork. Or a 2nd hand bookshop. It covers all the theatres in Newcastle city and suburbs.
does anybody know anything about the century theatre at broadmeadow in newcastle new south wales australia it was demolished after the earthquake I would love any info or floorplans