Page 6 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

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CINEMA, THEATRE & •
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SHOWBUSINESS NEWS •
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The Capitol Ceiling Reborn?
The extravagant rainbow of
changing colours in the ceiling of the
original Capitol Theatre was created
by six rows of dimmers operated by
the house electrician from the stage.
The building at that time was on direct
current. One of the changes made
before the 1965 re-opening was to
rewire the building. This meant a
simplification of the visual impact –
the ceiling in all one colour changing
to the next colour.
Restoration of the original lighting
sequence with a computer controlled
optic fibre system has been costed at
$200,000. Instead of burning up to
100,000 watts of electricity, this will The Capitol auditorium as everyone would like to see it again. The Wurlitzer is
be reduced to about 10,000 watts. left of stage on its own lift. The candelabras are in storage at the National
Along with this saving in energy, fibre Gallery of Victoria.
optic lamps have triple the life of
incandescent globes.
A refurbishment of the circle foyer
is also planned. This area has found a
new use as a function venue and
meeting space in association with
movie premieres. The original house
curtain is also being restored. As
RMIT University cannot use education
funds for these purposes, it is hoped
that the revenue from corporate hiring
of the theatre and foyers will expedite
the work.
Ian Williams.
Capitol Theatre Organ on CD
The final Wurlitzer Organ concert at
the Capitol Theatre Melbourne has
been released on Compact Disc. The
concert was recorded 17 November
1963 and features an introduction,
followed by 16 tracks played by The The Memorial Hall St. Kilda
Capitol’s master organist Horace Weber. The Soldiers and Sailors Club at 88 In the fifties the theatre advertised
Acland Street St. Kilda has been a in the Hoyts column. The major films
The CD costs $30 a copy. Five
local land-mark since 1924. were allocated to the Victory (now the
dollars from each sale will go towards National) with 2400 seats and the
the ongoing refurbishment of the Tucked away at the back of the Palais Pictures, 2900 seats. The
theatre. To order a copy, contact Mr. building is the almost forgotten ‘no Memorial at 750 seats screened a
Craig Cahill, Manager of the Capitol frills’ Memorial Hall, locked and double ‘B’ grade program each week,
Theatre, on 9650 4017. empty for decades. Opened as an all-
purpose venue, film shows began in existing on a steady diet of minor
Cameron Hall.
1927 as the Memorial Theatre. westerns and thrillers.
Equipped for talkies in 1931 by the Despite the basic amenities, former
new lessees Palais Pictures Pty Ltd. St Kilda residents such as John
and Victory Picture Theatre Pty Ltd. Michael Howson have fond memories
it operated as a cinema until the arrival of the ‘Memo’.
of television.

6 2002 CINEMARECORD