CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

Situated on the corner of Barkly and Acland Streets.

Catrice records the Elite Biograph as an open air theatre established in the Elite Semi Open-Air Skating Rink. Operation dates for these venues are recorded as Elite Biograph (1912-1915), Palais (March 1915-1918), Barkly (January 1918-1921). Closing date as 1921 and Demolition date as 1937 (Catrice, p. 201)

The Barkly Theatre "was closed around 1921 when th proprietors Marshall and Nelson, opened their new Victory Theatre on the corner of Barkly and Carlisle Streets." (Matthews, p. 7) See also National / Victory, St Kilda

It is noted in 'St Kilda by the sea annual, 1915' that the Palais Cinema was opened by Mr. Steventon on October 7 1915 having taken over from the disused Pictureland. Mt Steventon went on to purchase the Elite Skating Rink and turn it into a picture theatre.-- p.9, Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).

Carol Mathews states that in 1915 the Pictureland was remodeled and reopened as the Brodway Theatre with seating for 1,800-2,000 patrons.

Other Information
According to Foggarty The Barkly operated as a Hoyts theatre for a short time before closing in 1924.

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.

Boyd, J 1999, 'Work and Palais in St Kilda', Sunday Age, September 5.
Fogarty, P 2003, The Screening of St Kilda: a history of St Kilda's cinemas, St Kilda Historical Society, Balaclava, Vic
Available at http://www.skhs.org.au/cinemas.htm

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

'Carol Mathews: thesis'- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).

Image found in 1914, 'St Kilda by the sea annual', p.58- Betrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).
1915, 'St Kilda by the sea annual', pp.93-94. in Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).
1916/17, 'St Kilda by the sea annual', p.15- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).
Advertisements in 'The Prahran Telegraph', August 8, 1914- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).
Advertisements in 'The Prahran Telegraph', November 9, 1918, p.8- Bertrand, I Cinema file: St Kilda (unpublished research).