PMI Victorian History Library

🍿Melbourne's Art Deco cinemas of the late 1930s As Melbourne emerged from the Depression in 1935 its citizens could again afford a night out at the pictures. The suburbs saw many new cinemas built, until it was curtailed by wartime building restrictions in 1941. Join Royce Harris of the Cinema and Theatre Historical Society (CATHS) as we explore the cinema experience of the 30s as well as take a look at the buildings themselves, which were moderne variations of the Art Deco architecture of the time. Several of these cinemas, including the Rivoli in Camberwell and the Yarraville Sun, are still screening but you will also discover many long forgotten gems. This is our annual Bruce Turner Lecture as well. Bookings are essential with a gold coin for entry.