CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

The Plaza Theatre was built below the Regent, Melbourne opening on May 10, 1929. The Plaza opened with the film Alias Jimmy Valentine.

In 1954 the Plaza Theatre became the second Melbourne theatre to be equipped for the new Cinemascope film ratio (opening on February 17, 1954). The theatre closed for alterations on October 22, 1958 (it took 9 weeks for it to be made ready for 3-strip Cinerama), during the course of renovations, seating capacity was reduced from approx 1200 to 814.

On February 26, 1970 the Plaza commenced its last programme, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, ending November 4, 1970.

Film Weekly records the following changes in capacity:
1946/7-1948/49 = 1248
1949/50-1963/64 = 1235
1964/5 = 907
1965/6-1969/70 = 814

Opened: 10/5/1929
Architects: Cedric H. Ballantyne and Associates (Thorne, 1981)

References
Film Weekly.Film Weekly: Motion Picture Directory. Sydney. 1946/7- 1969/70

Craveb, N 1969, 'Theatres Sale?', Showman, April, 15.
1967, '"Khartoum" Melbourne campaign', Showman, September 15, p.5.

Thorne, R 1981, 'Cinemas of Australia via USA', pp.268-273.

McKinlay, B 'Fighting for an amazing pleasure dome'- (Bertrand, I "cinema file: 191 Collins Street" unpublished research).

Morgan, J 1996, 'Nothing succeeds like excess', Weekend Review, August 17-18, p.12.

Thorne, R 1981, 'Cinemas of Australia via USA', pp.268-273.

Walters, T. 2009,The Picture Palaces of Melbourne, pp. 240 -3.

'2 theatres sold for city square', Sun, Friday, June 6 1969.

'Auction Sale: Regent and Plaza Theatres' catalogue (Bertrand, I Cinema file: 191 Collins Street unpublished research).