| Reference Type |
chapter
|
| Title |
A Place of Sensuous Resort: Buildings of St Kilda and Their People |
| Chapter/Web article title |
30: Astor Theatre |
| Author(s) | Richard Peterson |
| State |
Unknown |
| Country |
Unknown |
| Publication Date |
00-00-2005 |
| Citation Date |
|
| Page Number |
n.p. |
| Comments |
Richard Peterson notes that the âAstor Theatreâ was the âprincipal venue for the Melbourne International Film Festival until 1995â. Additionally of note, Richard Peterson states that the âAstor Theatreâ is the âonly repertory cinema surviving in Melbourne, (and) one of very few independentsâ. |
| Synopsis |
Richard Peterson in Chapter 30 (âAstor Theatreâ) of âA Place of Sensuous Resort: Buildings of St Kilda and Their Peopleâ examines the history of the âAstor Theatreâ within the scope of St Kildaâs development. Peterson chronicles the siteâs development from horse stables in 1894, to the âDiamond Picture Theatreâ in 1912, to the Theatre Rex in 1913-14, and to the demolition and rebuilding of the âAstor Theatreâ (as designed by Ron Morton Taylor) in 1935 (opened on the 3 April, 1936). Peterson additionally details the design and styling (described by Peterson as âJazz Moderneâ) of the construction of the âAstor Theatreâ, and the internal development of the theatreâs auditorium (both technically {modifications to amplification} and aesthetically.) Further, Peterson chronicles the ownership development of the âAstor Theatreâ; in particular noting that despite a slew of âprestigious programmesâ (from Paramount, MGM, and United Artists) facilitating the survival of the âAstorâ until Australian televisionâs arrival in 1956; and the arrival of Cinemascope and technical improvements facilitating the âAstorâsâ survival until 1967; the âAstor Theatreâ was bought by Tanda Investments (whom in 1969 assimilated the âAstorâ into a chain of 12 Melbourne Greek Cinemas) until the theatre was bought by its current owner George Florence and assumed its current identity (September 17, 1982). |
tags:
add tag Please Wait...
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
