The Eglinton Theatre designed by Kaplan and Sprachman opened in 1936 but like so many beautiful Art Deco cinemas it could not survive the onslaughts of television, videos and dvds.Today it operates as The Eglinton Grand, a reception centre. The raked seating has been removed and the floor levels in the stalls and balcony areas levelled off providing a large area for tables with overlooking bar areas.
Many of the original features have been retained inside the former cinema including these stunning pendant lights in the main auditorium.
Lovely images David. I am so glad that the Eglinton Theatre was saved, and that it is still used in the entertainment industry. Imagine if it had been turned into a car yard or a laundry.
ReplyDeleteI want to buy a copy of the book Melbourne Art Deco and hear it includes some of your work. Well done!
Thanks Helen. It was great to get a look inside and the manager gave us a very quick tour while he was busy finishing off the setup for a wedding reception. He was so proud of the building.
ReplyDeleteMelbourne Art Deco is available directly from Robin Grow. I presume you have his details but send me an email if not. I worked with Robin as the main photographer contributing images to illustrate the buildings and details he refers to in the text. It was a lot of fun and I thingthe result looks great.
What an awesome theater. So elegant.
ReplyDeleteYour reasons for the closure of the Eglinton Cinema are not correct. Famous Players closed the theatre in 2002 to consolidate screens between the Silver City at Yonge and Eglinton and the Canada Square just south of Eglinton. With the impending merge of Cineplex and Famous Players the Eglinton's fate was sealed. Always a profitable cinema it has been reduced to a glorified banquet hall - further humiliated with lame movie puns on the marquee.
ReplyDeleteRui Pereira
Thanks for the extra info. Sad to hear that a profitable cinema was closed.
ReplyDelete