Rex Cinema

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Uploaded on: April 20, 2019

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The Rex Cinema Daylesford was built in 1928. The style was Spanish/deco. The Grand opening was Boxing Day 1929 with the silent motion picture ‘The Student Prince’, which was accompanied by a live orchestra to perform the key melodies. The cinema had a seating capacity of 859, and was well situated in the main street.

The Rex was equipped with sound to great acclaim in March 1930. 25 years later in 1955, CinemaScope - the modern miracle - was installed to greatly increased attendances. By 1963 business had almost come to a halt because of the television Juggernaut. The cinema closed its doors and went dark in 1963. From memory the last exhibitor at the Rex Cinema was a young fella by the name of Papps - but I’m stretching.

Special Notes: ‘The Student Prince’ was produced by Ernst Lubitsch & distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It starred Ramón Novarro & Norma Shearer. Many critics considered it one of Lubitsch’s finest silent films - Contributed by Greg Lynch -