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Mecca Theatre 14-16 Ormonde Parade, Sydney, NSW - Previously known as the Savoy

Knight Barnett on opening night playing a 2 Manual/10 Ranks Wurlitzer pipe organ.

The Savoy Theatre opened on 4th August 1937 with Merle Oberon in “Beloved Enemy” & Lynne Overman in “Three Married Men”. Noted for its large size of 1,854 seats and Art Deco style atmosphere, the Savoy Theatre was the most popular movie house in Sydney’s south.

It featured a 2 Manual/10Ranks Wurlitzer pipe organ which was opened by organist Knight Barnett.

The instrument had previously been installed in the Kings Cross Theatre, Sydney. Other organists who played this organ were Paul Cullen, Barrie Brettoner. The Savoy Theatre had a fully fitted stage and flytower. Although only small, the stage was big enough for the few novely acts that played there during the war years. It was taken over by the Hoyts Theatres chain in March 1944.

The Wurlitzer organ was removed in 1958, and was installed in the Congregational Church, Burwood. The Savoy Theatre was closed by Hoyts on 4th November 1972 with Jane Fonda & Donald Sutherland in “Klute”.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -