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With an initial capacity of 2,137 patrons (dropped during tectural forms, never before attempted here have been
the 1930's to 2,115), the Capitol Theatre was able to cater blended with a colour scheme of blue and gold and musi-
for the demands of the population to see motion pictures cal and lighting equipment have 9een enlisted to produce
in tailor-made surroundings. the perfect palace for living pictures'. The organ came in
for special attention by the journalist as follows 'One touch
Whilst the unique ceiling is retained today, the true mag- of the finger will bring the organ console and its player up
nificence of the entire theatre has been diminished, when from the basement of the lifting platforn1. Another touch
it was scaled down in the mid 1960's. More of this later. will cause the orchestra to materialise from the depths,
the lofty fretted ceiling will glow and pulsate with all the
To gain an appreciation of this magnificent theatre, one splendour of the aurora, and all in harmony with the mu-
must start at the entrance in Swanston Street. Situated in sic, the scene on the screen, and the mystic architectural
the centre of the block, and some thirty feet wide, the pa- fonns of this marvellous playhouse'.
trons enter the theatres street frontage from under, for the
time, an impressive awning constructed utilising a canti- With such a rave review, it is now time to see what all the
lever principle, which required no visible support. fuss was about.

The commuters of Melbourne, on their way to and from Despite the grand opening, the theatre was not yet fully
Flinders Street Station, no doubt kept an eye on proceed- complete. The organ was not installed for another four
ings as the building rose. As completion drew closer, a weeks. A small portion of the upper proscenium gave away
sign announcing the first attraction was draped above the and dropped into the orchestra pit, luckily not causing in-
verandah, announcing that the theatre would open soon jury, two weeks after opening.
with Paramount Pictures 'The Ten Commandments' di-
rected by Cecil B. DeMille. The building itself was an example of modem engineer-
ing. Containing electric lifts, a basement entertainment
Paramount Pictures were quick off tbe mark to link up area and, of course, the cinema, The Capitol Theatre was
with the Capitol theatre when it opened, planning to trans- indeed a novelty. Here was a new concept in Melbourne, a
fer from the Auditorium which was leased fi·om the Tait grand building with an even grander structure within it, a
brothers (later J. C. Williamson) around the corner in true picture palace. Going to see a top film in town gained
Collins StTeet, the Paramount flagship for several years further respectability with such a magnificent theatre to
under Frank Latimore. Delays in opening were creating attend.
suspense. No bulletins issued added to the frustrations.
The Capitol was classified as the best sited city cinema in The foyer itself was inviting and as one peeked further
Australia. inside. the stairways might have constituted a sense of ad-
venture, something to explore and wonder at in more in-
Pressure put on the builders in the final weeks as Para- nocent times than today. It is square in shape and contrast
mount wanted to concurrently release Cecil B De Mille's with the stairs that will soon greet the patron.
masterpiece, 'The Ten Commandments' with the opening
of the film and the Prince Edward Theatre in Sydney, in
November 1924. (I)

On 7th ofNovember 1924, the theatre was officially opened
by Lord Mayor Councillor Brunton. Other speakers in-
cluded the Speaker of the House Of Representatives, Mr.
Watt and the governing director Mr. Herman Phillips. The
latter proudly announced to the invited audience, which
included the Premier of Victoria, Mr. Prendergast and
United States Consul-General Mr. Maxwell Blake, that
the building bad cost 580,000 pounds to build. The sheer
impressiveness of theatre itself would have confinn this
figure to the awe struck guests. It opened to the public two
days later.

·The Argus'. the following day noted that despite the open-
ing being a private affair. six members of the Victoria Po- At 30 feet wide it was inviting, with its ticket box cen-
lice were detailed to keep control of the crowds that sought trally located. Bookings were handled further into the
admittance. It went on to outline some of the ·novelties' foyer. The ceiling to the foyer, gave a 'preview' of things
that picture goers wi II find at the new theatre, including to come in terms of architecture. One could see the high
the WurliTzer organ, and the lighting and the decoration ceiling and stained glass inserts towering above the ticket
which they described as being on a large scale. box. The walls of the entrance were decorated with com-
ing attractions. In the 1930's the foyer would be decorated
More impressive contemporary reports exulted the archi- in the theme of the main attraction as well.

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