The Century News Theatre - 125 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC

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The Herald Newspaper - June 27, 1940.

The Century News Theatre is SOUND PROOF AND PILLAR-LESS

Largest newsreel theatre in Australia #

The Century News Theatre is the largest newsreel theatre in Australia, and the largest with an auditorium un-obscured by pillars. The Century Theatre in the Century Building opens to the public tomorrow, with the first programme of air-mail news reels and feature shorts.

DESIGNED in association with Mr Marcus Barlow and Associate, by Messrs. Vivian Taylor & Soilleux. architects, of Henty House, the Century is Melbourne’s first fully air-conditioned theatre. Extremely modernist in constructional features, and decor, it is unusual also In the completeness of its soundproofing, and in the clever utilization of the sound absorbing fiber as a visible surface in the ceiling of the bio-box. and in the main walls; of the auditorium.

SOUND-PROOFED THEATRE #

In these walls the fiber fills In bands of plaster decoration running around the auditorium; also it Is used to fill interstices in the streamline decorative features on the two side walls. Outstanding in these decorations — carried out in low relief to screen the all-tube hidden lighting are three nude figures. Of large size the figures have been designed to symbolize modern streamlining.

Parquet floors in the theatre been heavily overlaid with costly carpet over a sponge rubber base and the dropping level of the auditorium floor is specially planned for tho comfort and clear vision of every patron.

All seats in the theatre are of extremely roomy size, and tho rows are wide spaced for added convenience. Of wood frame, modern comfort type, the 497 seats are luxuriously upholstered in Dunlopillo and completed in a Burgundy tone fabric, matching in with the brown and fawn floor carpets. Main walls In the auditorium offset this use of color. The walls are in texture finish, and lower walls are faced with washable rubber giving an excellent ensemble effect.

STREAMLINED CEILING #

The ceiling Is of unusual and effective design and streamlined lo latest ideas. It has several levels and Is effectively illuminated by hidden tube lighting. Air conditioning louvers are set In the decorative features flanking the proscenium, and modernist roof, vents also are featured. Exhaust grilles for the air conditioning are flush fitted In the rear wall of the auditorium, and this also features very wide side exit doors and novel indirectly lighted exit signs.

Doors serving the auditorium are in flush finish cream sycamore, with stainless, steel inserts. The same beautiful wood Is used for paneling throughout the main foyer, where the trimming Is In stainless steel, which also also used for all hard ware fittings throughout the theatre. Running the width of the theatre, the foyer has distinctive decorative fittings and a conspicuous “daylight” tube lighting roof feature. A ladles' boudoir Is off one end of the foyer, and at the other end there Is a return parcels desk and storage racks for parcels.

The foyer then turns into the sycamore paneled lift foyer, off which there is the men’s clonk-room and a staff-room.

“GIRL OF THE CENTURY” #

Owned by the Howey Estate, the theatre is controlled by Newsreel Theatres Pty. Ltd, with Mr V. N. Mogg as secretary. It is the largest newsreel theatre in Australia, and the staff comprises 10 girls, including “The Girl of the Century. Miss Gloria Williams, selected as receptionist for the theatres in a State-wide competition which attracted 700 entrants. The girls wear specially-designed hand-embroidered dinner frocks of slipper satin.

Large bio box #

Additional to the lift service the theatre Is entered from Swanston Street by a direct stair-case which Is flanked by walls in Roman Tarantine marble and has stainless steel balustrades and hand rails. Off this staircase, opposite the theatre booking office, is the manager’s office, from which access is gained access to one of the largest and best-equipped bio boxes in Melbourne. Sound proofed, fire proofed and sprinkler equipped, the roomy bio box carries three latest type projectors, and all-Australian sound and film equipment. Off it are a film storeroom, and a separated switch room. All bio-box equipment of Australian manufacture, was supplied by Harringtons P/L of Flinders Lane.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -