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Kinema 170 Bridport Street, Melbourne, VIC

Photo - Courtesy of Ken Hill representing a meeting of country drive in managers from his organization held in the upstairs lounge foyer - On the right you can see the entrance to the lounge theatre interior.

The start of Greek film screenings began on Friday February 4, 1966 and successfully catered for a Greek audience for 16 years concluding during Feb 1982, in the main because of the introduction and competition of domestic video tape.

During 1982 David Wayside closed the Mayfair theatre in Collins Street and would rent the Kinema from Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures. Almost immediately he was approached by Ken & Eric Hill who purchased the business from him.

The cinema was then renamed, the ”Riviera”. The new owners of the business found it expensive to run because of the heating and lighting – In an effort to reduce costs all the ceiling lighting was replaced with a cheaper and more effective alternative. The introduction of domestic Video tape was also a contributing factor - Despite the cost cutting it was decided to close the theatre, mainly because of the difficulty in obtaining suitable product, and the theatres close proximity to the major’s circuits who dominated the city area. –

The Kinema closed forever and was sold by Cosmopolitan towards the end of 1983 – Demolishment followed and a modern building containing retail and office space now stands on the site.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -