Photo from the State Library. The Metro was closed in 1975 and completely changed by Greater Union – it was painted purple and reopened as Hindley Cinemas.
Metro Theatre
One of the most beautiful Art Deco style buildings in Adelaide, the Metro in Hindley St, was built by MGM.
It was the only MGM Metro Theatre in Australia to be equipped with fittings sent direct from the USA and was designed by noted American theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb, in association with local architect F. Kenneth Milne.
The Metro Theatre opened in 1939, with a seating capacity for 1,286 patrons in air-conditioned comfort in the stalls, dress circle and lounge.
The seating was especially designed for patron comfort and the colour scheme toned with the pastel brown, beige and gold of the auditorium and the rich burgundy carpets.
On each side of the proscenium, four indented columns diffused amber light which beamed up towards the ceiling.
Sturt Theatre
Here’s a great photo of yet another of our lost picture theatres. The Sturt Theatre was located in Rundle St and originally started its life as The Grand Picture Theatre when it opened in
Photo from Frank Hall. The Sturt Theatre just after it closed was renovated and turned into offices
1916.
In the early 1930s, the auditorium decorations were changed to an Art Deco style, and the name was changed to the Mayfair Theatre.
Again in the early ‘50s it was modernised and began screening long runs of major films and was renamed the Sturt Theatre. Seating was provided for 700 in orchestra and balcony levels.
The Sturt Theatre was closed in February 1976, and has now been remodelled into offices.
West’s Theatre
Remember going to the pictures at West’s Theatre in Hindley St?
Photo from the State Library of SA. Wests Picture Theatre on the south side of Hindley St in 1975, just two years before its closure.
West’s Olympia was built in 1939 and closed in 1977 when it became part of the Greater Union Hindley Cinemas, which in turn closed as a picture theatre in 1991.
The site then remained vacant for many years, but in 2001 it was returned to its former glory retaining many of its art deco features, in particular the grand staircase that leads up to a mezzanine level in the entrance foyer.
It now houses the Grainger Studio of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, continuing its entertainment links.
Majestic Theatre
The Majestic Theatre was “the most modern theatre in Adelaide during 1916”, according to anAdvertiser report of the day.
It was located in King William St and was adjoined to the Majestic Hotel. It remained as one of Adelaide’s leading picture theatres right up until 1967 when it underwent renovations and
Photo from the State Library of SA. Despite a public petition for heritage listing and protection, the Majestic building was demolished in 1981 and a Commonwealth Bank was built on the site.
reopened as the Celebrity Theatre and Restaurant.
In 1969 there was another change. This time it became a cinema and live theatre and was renamed The Warner Theatre. It closed on March 31, 1979.
My Fair Lady Theatre
Remember the My Fair Lady Theatre in Hindley St which was opened in 1966 especially for the Audrey Hepburn film My Fair Lady?
It was originally owned and operated by Warner Bros, but was later taken over by Roadshow Theatre’s chain, with the name shortened to Fair Lady Theatre.
Photo from the State Library of SA. In October 1988, a rock show and disco named ‘Farewell to a Fair Lady’ was held to say goodbye to the building. It was demolished in 1989.
It was finally taken over by an independent operator and was closed on February 21, 1988.
The Fair Lady Theatre was demolished in late 1989.
A small shopping mall was built on the site, which included a 5-screen Greater Union Hindley St cinema, located at the rear that has now also closed.
There have been other movie theatres in Adelaide in more recent times which have also closed including the Imax in Rundle St, Wallis Academy Cinema in Hindmarsh Square and Nova Cinema, which eventually combined with Palace Cinema in Rundle St.
As Wallis program director Bob Parr noted when the Academy closed in 2007: “There’s been a shift in how people go to see films and the suburban multiplexes are where most people are going these days to watch their movies”.
The days of the grand, luxurious picture theatres in the city have all but gone but there are many wonderful memories we can still share about those golden Hollywood years when actors like Mickey Rooney graced the big screen and a when a night out at the pictures was a special occasion to be enjoyed and remembered.
I used to work part time usheretting at the Metro in the early 60’s. I remember the first time I worked there Sound of Music was playing and our uniforms coincided with the theme of the film. In the breaks, some of the girls used to duck downstairs for a Bex with their coffee. I wonder what their innards are like today
Hilary I think you’ll find that the Sound of Music screened at the Plaza Theatre down the lane from the Regent in Rundle St.
That film did not screen at the Metro.
Yes… The Sound Of Music screened at the Plaza/Paris, as this is where My parents took me to see it. 20th Century Fox pictures were screened there and at Hoyts Regent. It NEVER screened at the Metro theatre.
Hi there – researching the Fair Lady Theatre for my son’s school project I came across this page and would like to further comment on the in-accurate information relating to the Fair Lady Theatre. At no stage was the theatre owned by any of the movie companies, it was privately owned by an Adelaide family who reluctantly sold it in approx 1986. They also owned a couple of other iconic Adelaide cinemas, such as the Warner Theatre and the Globe. I am unsure of who owned it for the period 1986-1989.
Just out of interest, Tonya, what was the reason for research on the Fair Lady theatre? thanks
West’s Olympia was Adelaide’s first permanent Picture Theatre when it opened in December 1908!
It was rebuilt in 1939 when MGM announced it had purchased land directly opposite and ‘Gone With The Wind’ was in production. Metro and the NEW Wests opened in December 1939 and in 1940 “Gone With the Wind” screened simultaneous at Metro and Wests.
The Plaza was renamed the Paris and opened with the “Sound of Music” on 17/2/66 It screened for a Season of 107 weeks.
Jeff can I have some free lemons
Was there a cinema at 10 Semaphore road semaphore. I am sure there was but can not remember the name?
YES Semphore Ozone run by hoytes it is now the library ,the other theatre in Semephore was the Semephore Odeon now days a multi cinema.
The Odeon was also called the Semephore Star theater
I seem to remember as a child that there was a theatre in Rundle street that had an entrance doors that looked like port holes. We are talking the 1950’s here, or was it just my childhood imagination,
Empire Theatre Grote St, closed 1952?
I worked at Wests in the late 1960’s as an assistant projectionist, Bob Wilson was head, Brian Nicholls was the other Projectionists. Those days still hold a special place in my heart. The presentation of the movie was extremely important, lighting and music fading in sync to the start of the show coinciding with the curtains opening. Everything was done to perfection. And the usherettes, oh my, for a 16 yo boy, these ladies were extra special. I can’t remember their names but i can still see their faces..
During my final years at trade school, I worked as a ‘tray-boy’ at the Metro during the mid-1960s.
For those too young to remember, tray-boys would walk up and down the aisles before a session began and again during intermission with a tray loaded with a wide range of snacks for purchase.
For some reason, the only movie I still remember screening during that period was The Yellow Rolls Royce, released in 1964 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059927/), but of course there were many others.
The sweets would have included Minties and the notorious Jaffas. Jaffas were orange-colored balls, loose in a cardboard box, guaranteed to spill onto the floor and rattle during the main film. My parents were in the Pioneer Players and the plays were staged in the Pioneer Hall, at the corner of Sturt and Morphett Roads in southwest Adelaide. Sweets were sold during the intervals, and Jaffas were avoided because of the noise.
I too was a tray boy at the Metro and can remember carrying a full tray of Dandy ice creams down the isles waiting to be swarmed by an avalanche of kids
Many fond and laughable memories with the usherettes
Jeff mate you’re a living legend mate I’d be honoured to come past and grab some lemons !