CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

"Paradise Picture Gardens, open air, opened in 1908 on the Upper Esplanade at Alfred Square, by Johnson and Gibson. In 1911 they merged their interests into Amalgamated Pictures (the forerunner of Greater Union). By 1913 Mr J W Lincoln, former manager, became the sole proprietor. ...The theatre seated 600 in a brick pavilion at the rear and about 1400 on open graded seating. ...It became known as the Summerland Picture Gardens but in late November 1914 was advertised as the Rivoli Theatre." (Matthews, p. 7)

"One of the oldest established and popular alfresco theatres, and now under the control of Mr. John E. Carnochan, an old citizen of St. Kilda, with Mr. John Brunton as manager, and Mr. R D. Houldin as operator. Its situation is central, and the grounds have been laid out with taste and care, so that it presents a picturesque appearance"- p.89, 'St Kilda by the sean annual, 1915' in Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).

See also Lyric, St Kilda

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

Matthews, C 1986, 'Early theatres of St Kilda', Kino: journal of Australian theatre historical society, No. 17, pp. 6-11.

1913, 'Paradise', St. Kilda by the sea- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St. Kilda (unpublished research).
1915, Review of the season, 'St Kilda by the sea annual, p.7- Bertrand, I. Cinema file: St Kilda'' (unpublished research).
1916/17, 'St Kilda by the sea annual', p.15- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).
Street-image of Paradise Theatre in the 1915 'St Kilda by the Sean Annual', p.83.
Advertisements in 'The Prahran Telegraph', November 29, 1913- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).
Advertisements in 'The Prahran Telegraph', December 6, 1913- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).
Advertisements in 'The Prahran Telegraph', August 8, 1914- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).