CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

The National was first built as the National Open Air Electric Pictures in 1910. At the success of the open air theatre, the owner, Mr T. M. Hodges decided to build a hardtop cinema which opened in November 1911. In 1939 the National was extensively remodelled. (Tod, p. 12)

"The National came under the control of Peter Yiannoudes and Cosmopolitan Theatres in 1961, and began a long career screening Greek and continental pictures. During these years it came to be known as the Greek Theatre. Yiannoudes had emigrated from Cyprus in 1956 where he worked in cinemas. On arrival in Melbourne, he acted as an agent for Greek film companies and screened his first films in the Melbourne Town Hall around 1957. He purchased the National from James O'Brien and began to screen commercial films but soon switched to Greek product, often with subtitles that were hand-cranked on an overhead projector. Yiannoudes increased his circuit to take in cinemas in Brunswick, Albert Park, Sunshine, Oakleigh and Yarraville. He also leased several others. Films ceased at the National around 1983, when the theatre suffered fire damage to the stage area in August of that year." (Tod, p.13)

Dance at night screening only

Film Weekly records the following changes in capacity:
1946/47-1948/49 = 933
1950/51-1953/54 = 970
1954/55-1961/62 = 920
1962/63-1971 = 860.

Venue: Other Information
According to CATHS operating dates are: c1935-85

Opening date of the National cited as 1911, with the present building constructed in 1939 (Catrice, p. 216)

References
Catrice, D 1991, Cinemas in Melbourne 1896-1942. Thesis (M.A.) Monash University, 1991.

Film Weekly, Film Weekly: motion picture directory, Film Weekly, Sydney. 1946/7- 1971

Tod, L 1996, 'The National Theatre', Kino: journal of the Australian Cinema and Theatre Society, Inc, September, no. 57, pp.12-15.