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PRIDE OF THE

PICTURE-PALACES

By William Gray.

The site of the Civic Theatre on the corner of Park Road and South Terrace at Auburn (NSW), was originally Crown Land
granted to a Thomas Bates on June 30th in 1823.

With a frontage of 100-feet and a depth of 181-feet, 10 3/4 inches, it was purchased on February 19, 1930 by the Western Suburbs
Cinemas chain whose application to build a cinema on the site was granted on June 13th 1929.
Architects were Mssrs Kaberry & It wasn't until 13th February 1933 that
Chard, and the new theatre was to be Western Suburbs Cinemas announced
built by Mr. E. Barnett. that they were ready to proceed with the
new theatre's construction – with some
Work was due to commence in January modifications to the original plan.
1930, but was put back six months
despite foundation work having already The theatre took twelve months from
been completed. building to completion – producing one
Later known as the Embassy - the Queens of the finest and most modern suburban
However by October 1930, work had Theatre predated the Civic at Auburn. theatres in Australia, as a cost of
still not proceeded, and Kaberry and £50,000 ($100,000).
Chard advised the Chief Secretary's On November 7, 1930, Western Suburbs
Department that as far as they knew the Cinemas advised the Chief Secretary's 18 tons of steel was used in the
project had been abandoned, and that Department that the new theatre would construction, a girder supporting the
they had received advice from Western proceed when finances permitted. In dress-circle was 80-ft long with a depth
Suburbs Cinemas that their services June 1931, they advised that no further of 7-ft and weighing some 26 tons! A
were no longer required. construction work had taken place due girder above the proscenium was 56-ft
to the depression. long and weighed 9 tons.

Ad: February 16, 1934.

10 2012 CINEMAREC ORD