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Hoyts had concentrated most of its city screenings in a of the theatre, saw it being operated by an exhibitor who
new complex in Bourke Street 'The Cinema Centre'. screened Chinese language films for the population of
Initially it had three auditoriums and was publicised as a Melbourne of Chinese descent. Although this was not 'The
new era of going to the movies. Little in the way of deco- Capitol's' finest hour, this did at least open the doors and
ration was to be seen and large wall to wall screens were a the theatre was again in regular use.
feature. This type of complex would soon spread and even-
tually vi1tually wipe out the single screen cinemas. Soon, To celebrate the event, the Cinema and Theatre Historical
the older cinemas would be eventually phased out. Hoyts Society of Victoria, Inc., arranged with the lessee to hold
operated the ' Mid City' cinemas which brought about a an open day. A considerable number of people took the
concentration of their activities to the eastern end ofBourke tour through the auditorium and many were amazed by
Street. Greater Union built the ' Russell Cinemas', closing what they saw. Although many of the coloured light globes
all their other houses in the CBD. were out, the ceiling still showed up in all its magnifi-
cence.
Could 'The Capitol' hold out? That was the question that
no doubt was being raised in various circles. The cinema By 1997, even rbe Chinese films did not find a permanent
going experience was being altered. The beautiful audito- home at 'The Capitol' due to lack of patronage.
rium may not have been sufficient to attract the younger
audiences now used to a more 'fast food' type cinema ex- Occasional film festivals and short seasons such as Buster
perience. To the owners and lessees the maintenance of Keaton's 'Sherlock Junior' which was accompanied by a
the ceiling lighting itself would have created headaches, folk band were the only opportunities to see films, or in-
and from the events that occurred throughout the mid deed any event inside the auditorium. With the expiry of
1970's tlu·ough until late 1999 proved to be the time of Mike Walsh's lease in November 1998, the future of 'The
greatest turmoil in the life of 'The Capitol Theatre'. Capitol' again became of concern.

In 1982, Village Theatres bought into the partnership. This Once again, it looked bleak, a description applied many
company, which started off from humble beginnings, was times ill relation to theatre since the early 1960's Although
now making its presence felt. Initially their chain was cen- classified by the National Trust, and therefore supposedly
tred principally around drive in theatres but was growing not able to be demolished, the theatre itself was in limbo
into hardtops. They were beginning to operate an increas- and just what to do with it was becoming an increasingly
ing number of suburbarn theatres and were becoming in- difficult thing to answer.
terested in a major city theatre to screen first release films.
The theatre was strata titled, this having been done after
With their arrival at 'The Capitol' a major refurbishment approval from Heritage Victoria. At their insistence the
took place. This included a revamping of the lighting surviving foyer spaces, some inaccessible, were included
dimmer system which i_ncluded installing a computer to under the one title. A committee of interested parties was
operate it. Apparently the air conditioning was tempera- called and various options discussed. As always, money
mental and on occasions the ushering staff would walk was a barrier to a number of schemes.
the plank above the ceiling to kick-start it.
Enter RMIT University.
The product screened was arranged through Village. A
number of premjeres were held during this period and many This organisation is situated within the CBD and has a
well known film stars appeared at these inaugural screen- vast array of courses on offer including archjtecture. This
ings of their ftlms. work of Walter Burley Griffin would no doubt bold some
interest in that faculty. Extensive negotiations took place
The Village era was sh01t lived and a new exhibitor ar- between the owners and RMIT and eventually suitable
rived on the scene in the form of theatre entrepreneurs terms were reached, whereby RMIT University agreed to
Mike and Maria Walsh, along with Henry and Natalie purchase the strata title to the theatre i11cluding currently
Miller. used foyers and former ones, many of which were lost in
the 1960's ·renovations'.
The 'Capitol' was trumpeted as a new art house cinema
and its reopening on the 23rd of July 1987 was proudly A large lecture theatre was sometimes required for guest
announced. speakers and 'The Capitol' will no doubt perform this role
admirably. Film screenings are also part of the plan so the
Highly acclaimed films such as 'Travelling North' were public will still be able to watch films under the magnifi-
to be screened and bring with it a new lease of life for this cent ceiling.
magnificent theatre.
The old foyers, once bricked up or used for alternative
Unfortunately this to failed to attract sufficient audiences purposes, once again heard the sound of people in late
on a sustainable basis and once again 'The Capitol' went October to early November 1999, as guided tours allowed
dark. members of the public to visit these areas.
From 1992, including the 70th anniversary of the opening

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