CAARP: Cinema and Audience Research Project

Plaza, Oakleigh

Venue Summary
Name	Plaza, Oakleigh
Address	43 Portman Street, Oakleigh, Victoria 3166
Operation Dates	1929-02-20 - 1961-02-11
Capacity	876
Suburban/Country	Suburb
Purpose	Cinema
Screens	1
Roles	1931-02-20 - 1952-01-01 : Exhibitor : Kitchen, J. & R. 1953-01-01 - 1961-02-11 : Exhibitor : Kitchen, B. M.

Venue Comments
Before 1930, it was the Romona Ballroom Palais (CATHS) which was built and owned by James William Kelly. Mr Kelly sold it to Mr John Harold Kitchen. Mr Kitchen formed Oakleigh Talkies Pty Ltd. Operation dates based on Catrice (p. 224). Film Weekly records the following changes in capacity: 1946/7-1951/2 = 1350 1952/3-1960/1 = 876 References Catrice, D. 1991, Cinemas in Melbourne 1896-1942. Thesis (M.A.) Monash University, 1991. Cinema & Theatre Historical Society 1997, Cinema index : Melbourne cinemas, suburban cinemas, Victorian drive-ins. CATHS, Victoria. Everyones 20 December 1933, p. 7 J. Kitchen of Plaza Oakleigh at Allied Exhibitions meeting on Monday. Film Weekly, Film Weekly: motion picture directory, Film Weekly, Sydney. 1943-1961 The Film Reported and Show World 7 December 1932, pg. 16 ( reports of the Plaza Oakleigh being fined for failing to furnish returns of films screened August and September 1932.

Venue Events
Event Date	Name of Venue	Address	Latitude / Longitude	Capacity	Suburban	Purpose	Screens
1929-02-20	Plaza	43 Portman Street Oakleigh Victoria 3166	-37.899956 145.08942	1350	Suburb	Cinema	1
1953-01-01				876