Epping Kings Theatre

46 Beecroft Road,
Sydney, NSW 2121

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Additional Info

Architects: Clifford M. Chard, Guy Crick, Lewis Kaberry

Firms: Crick and Furse, Kaberry & Chard

Functions: Retail

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Cambria Theatre

Nearby Theaters

CAMBRIA THEATRE EPPING

Although the Kings circuit was known for its trademark Art Deco style designs, the first two houses were adaptations of existing spaces, the Mosman Kings Theatre and now the Epping Kings Theatre.

Located in the northwest Sydney suburb of Epping, opposite Epping Railway Station. The Cambria Theatre was opened on 6th November 1915 with 930 seats. Architects Kaberry & Chard made alterations to the building in 1920/1921. Architectural firm Crick & Furse were employed in November 1934 to redesign the cinema in an Art Deco style. It was a minimalist design with no deco flourishes but the simplicity made it stand out. Later in 1935, Guy Crick produced his first theatre with the famous ‘Kings’ look - the Rose Bay North Kings Theatre.

The Epping Kings Theatre opened on 2nd March 1935 with Robert Montgomery in “Hide Out” and Janet Gaynor in “Servant’s Entrance”. In the late-1940’s it was taken over by the Northern Suburbs chain, having not being part of the Greater Union takeover of the Kings Theatres circuit in 1946.

The Epping Kings Theatre was closed on 18th June 1960 with Cary Grant in “Houseboat” and “The Hangman”. It was converted into a branch of Woolworth’s, and since then the building has housed several small stores and a video chain.

Contributed by john gleeson

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Horatio
Horatio on October 27, 2015 at 12:53 am

And recall seeing “Kismet” here as well as the oh so controversial “Blue Jeans” dealing with teenage pregnancy!!!!!

Horatio
Horatio on November 7, 2015 at 11:59 pm

Hi, I’m back to inform you of my mistake. The controversial film dealing with abortion was indeed BLUE DENIM not ‘Blue Jeans’ but you will appreciate reason for my error!! It starred Carol Linley and Brandon De Wilde.

MikeJC
MikeJC on November 8, 2015 at 5:32 am

Not so much of a mistake Horatio, as the film ‘Blue Denim’ was released in the U.K. under the title ‘Blue Jeans’. I remember seeing it in about 1959/60. Although she was not in the film, I seem to recall Joan Crawford introducing the trailer (or was it the film itself? – after all we’re going back about 55 years here!).

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on June 6, 2018 at 1:02 am

The building, formally a video library(name unknown?) is now a frozen yogurt store(Yogurberry)closed down(and empty?), a fish and chip shop(Epping Seafood), closed down(and empty?), and a(now closed and empty) Indian restaurant(name unknown?), and possibly also a health club(Plus Fitness 24/7) and a bakery(Epping Bakery).

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