CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

Originally opened as the Majestic Theatre in 1912 . The final film screened at the Majestic on February 25, 1960. A few months later, (after refurbishment) the theatre reopened as the Chelsea, June 10, 1960.

The Chelsea was the only Greater Union Theatre equipped with 70mm equipment (until the Forum Theatre in 1975).
Majestic, along with the Athenaeum and the Mayfair is listed as screening British films (Bertrand I, Cinema file: 172-178 Flinders st., unpublished research)

The last screening at the Chelsea Theatre was The Enforcer 15 November, 1979.

Film Weekly recorded seating capacity as:
1946/7 = 1479
1948/9 = 1519
1949/50 = 1454
1952/3 = 1535
1961/2 = 1170
1971 = 810

Opened: August 31, 1912
Architext: Nahum Barnet, Klingender and Aslop

References
Cinema & Theatre Historical Society 1997, Cinema index : Melbourne cinemas, suburban cinemas, Victorian drive-ins. CATHS, Victoria.

Film Weekly. Film Weekly: Motion Picture Directory Sydney. 1946/7-1971
Film Weekly, 'Chelsea opening sets GU's faith in future', v.100, n.1750, 16/6/1960.
The Sun 1960, '1000 at theatre opening', 10 June, p.11
-equipment first of its kind in Melbourne.

Thorne, R 1981, 'Cinemas of Australia via USA', pp.215-217.
Walters, T 2009, Melbournes picture theatres of the past: Chelsea, Barclay and Bercy

Walters, T 1999, 'The Chelsea Theatre' CinemaRecord Cinema and Theatre Historical Society Victoria, no. 24.