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70mm Conquors Australia Melbourne’s Bourke Street was
By 1962 theatres equipped to show unique in that two of its cinemas came
70mm had reached all Australian to be named after films. The second
capitals, and theatres in large regional example was when Tyes furniture store
centres such as Newcastle and was converted into two cinemas. One of
Wollongong in N.S.W. had either them became the My Fair Lady
opened or were being altered for it. As Theatre in 1966.
the demand for 70mm increased so did A specially built cinema in Adelaide
the demand for equipment. The Greater was also named in a similar fashion. It
Union Organisation through its was known as the Fair Lady Cinema
technical support company, National and became the only one to retain its
Theatre Supply imported the Italian film name after the season of the film
designed Cinemeccanica R.K.60 was over.
35/70mm projector. These machines Warner Bros.’ My Fair Lady brought
were highly successful and were forth the biggest print run of 70mm
adopted by G.U. as standard in 1960. prints ever known. Theatres were
Some of the original machines are purpose built for this film around the
giving sterling service in new world from 1964.
surroundings such as Drive-In theatres Initially the Sydney venue was to be
and some independent theatres. In the the Ascot, a new 70mm theatre located
early 1960’s the name R.K.60 (which in Pitt Street. Warner Bros. had second
means Rank Kalee) was dropped and thoughts and struck a deal with Hoyts
the later models became Cinemeccanica who refurbished the Century in George
Victoria 10 and Victoria 8 projectors. Street and equipped it with
In 1970 the General Manager of Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 projectors.
National Theatre Supply (the late Ray The Century held 865 patrons, but the
Smith) stated that his company had screen size was less impressive than at
completed 80 installations of 70mm. the Ascot.
Hoyts Theatres announced in late G.U. also found 70mm films to be a
1963, that it would equip its second bonanza and invested in further theatre
Melbourne 70mm theatre, specifically upgrades. In 1963, the former
for the launch of Fox’s Cleopatra. They Palladium theatre in Sydney’s
chose the Lyceum Bourke Street, Chinatown was transformed by the
another oldie which had been showing clever concept of erecting a new
films since 1915. The auditorium was cinema inside the shell of an old one.
disguised behind floor–to-ceiling gold The new house became the Barclay
curtains, lit by concealed pelmet and it opened with Guns of Navarone
lighting. Seating was improved and (which was not in 70mm!).
new red and gold carpet laid. Philips
‘Norelco’ 35/70mm equipment was
installed along with a new 13m (43ft)
“Harkness” screen.
A gala charity premiere on
Thursday 27 February 27 1964
heralded the re-opening as the
Cleopatra, the first identification of a
cinema with its film, only warranted
because a record-breaking season of
some years was anticipated. It was
wishful thinking; the season ended on
16 April 1965.
Hoyts then re-named the theatre the
Paris and brought in the highly
successful The Sound of Music. The
Paris was perhaps the shortest-lived of
any first run 70mm theatre. It closed on
28 January 1970 and was demolished
as part of a major redevelopment which
From the top: For a new life as an up-market showplace, the Esquire, Melbourne was
also brought down the Tivoli theatre.
given front doors and a verandah, missing since 1926. Image: Ross Thorne
The make-over of Hoyts Lyceum to the Cleopatra Melbourne, was mostly internal.
The seats are comfortable, the wall speakers give amazing sound fidelity, and no doubt
the 70mm image is crisp, but the décor of the Barclay Sydney is token.
(Author’s photo.)
18 2005 CINEMARECORD