Albany Pussy Galore Cinema

230 Collins Street,
Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Village Cinemas

Architects: H. Vivian Taylor

Firms: Taylor & Soilleaux

Functions: Retail

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Albany Newsreel Theatrette, Albany Cinema

Nearby Theaters

ALBANY THEATRE 230 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria Australia 1936 - Construction

The Albany Newsreel Theatrette opened on 30th October 1936. It later became the Albany Cinema, screening sexploitation movies and drive-in releases.

In 1978 it was taken over by the Shaft Sinema’s company headed by Ken Hill who specialised in adult cinemas, and went over to screening adult films as the Albany Pussy Galore Cinema, which was named after the character in the James Bond film “Goldfinger”. The Albany Pussy Galore Cinema closed in June 1989, and was converted to retail use.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on July 25, 2019 at 12:59 am

Why the Albany part of the name?

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on July 25, 2019 at 1:07 am

The building is now a Japan travel agency(H.i.S. Australia Pty Ltd).

curmudgeon
curmudgeon on July 25, 2019 at 3:14 am

davidcoppock “Goldfinger” never played at the Albany although some early Bond films “Dr. No” and “From Russia With Love” did on re-issue. Perhaps the Albany’s greatest claim to fame was in November 1967 when, following a refurbishment, premiered the cult classic “Cool Hand Luke”.

film
film on August 3, 2019 at 11:25 pm

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) Thu 3 Dec, 1936 Page 7, writes about the HOWEY ESTATE BUILDING PROGRAMME

The proposed Albany Theatre was part of THE HOWEY ESTATE BUILDING PROGRAM and was built into the basement of Albany Court, located in 230 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria The ground floor of the building had been designed as a shopping arcade extending from Collins street through to Howey place. There are seven shops in the arcade, and two in Collins street. A bright and attractive appearance has been given to the show windows by the use of stainless steel moldings.

The Albany Theatre*

The basement of the building will be occupied by the Albany Theatre and a modern coffee lounge, both under the same control. Air conditioning to be provided in both the lounge and the theatre. The decoration follows the modern horizontal treatment. The special furniture in the lounge and theatre has been designed by the theatre architects Messrs Taylor, Soillieux and Overend. The operating bio box is situated at the Collins street end and has natural light from pavement lights above. The seating Capacity at the time of building was 268.

The projection equipment*

The projection equipment has been installed by Harringtons Limited. The sound is the Australian made Racophone. A central heating ventilating and air conditioning system has been carried right throughout the building. A system of 12 vertical utility ducts runs from the basement to the roof, each duct carrying the hot and cold water mains the radiation, and gas services. All the equipment operating these services is a sub-basement, and with the general and sanitary plumbing formed part of the contract of Messrs Thomas Warner and Sons, of South Melbourne.

The Heating*

The boiler operating the hot-water and heating service is fired by a fully automatically controlled fuel oil burner which was installed by Major Furnace and Combustion Engineers Pty Ltd of South Yarra.

The Grand opening*

The Albany opened as a newsreel theatrette screening continuously every hour, on October 30, 1936. The original Exhibitors were Woodrow and Sloman – Contributed by Greg Lynch –

film
film on August 3, 2019 at 11:26 pm

The Albany opened as a Newsreel Theatrette screening continuously every hour, on October 30, 1936

NEWSREEL THEATRETTES* These were scattered around central Melbourne, and first appeared in 1932. Most were below street level.These establishments screened continuous newsreels from Movietone, Universal & Cinesound, along with cartoons, Pete Smith & Three Stooge comedy’s – to name a few . There were no intermissions and it was possible to sit there all day! – Contributed by Greg Lynch –

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on April 19, 2020 at 4:25 am

Rip Honor Blackman.

curmudgeon
curmudgeon on April 20, 2020 at 10:39 am

Although now remembered as an “Adult” cinema, there were some important releases. “Cool Hand Luke” premiered here along with the Roma cinema in 1967. It became an important “move over” venue for many important features.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on October 31, 2020 at 11:50 am

Rip Sir Sean Connery.

curmudgeon
curmudgeon on November 1, 2020 at 5:49 am

The Albany coffee lounge was still operating in 1967 following refurbishment of the auditorium. Lovely tea and coffee, crumpets with honey, cinammon toast. milkshakes, toasted ham and cheese sandwiches, banana splits et all. Doubt if it survived the latter soft porn era.

Jake Bottero
Jake Bottero on April 26, 2022 at 4:23 am

Currently some sort of retail mall.

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