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| Image Source: State Library of NSW |
Built for and operated by the Kings Theatres chain, the Marrickville Kings Theatre (200 Marrickville Road) was opened on 9th April 1937 with Freddie Bartholomew in “The Devil is a Sissy” and George Formby in “Keep Your Seats Please”. The Art Deco styled building was designed by Guy Crick & Bruce W Purse and built by J Nyssen.
The theatre included a specially concealed lighting system with dimmer equipment to provide special effects.
The Sydney Morning Herald (11 May, 1937) reported:
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| Image Source: State Library of NSW |
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| Dress Circle Lounge- Image Source State Library of NSW |
It was taken over by an independent operator in late-1964 and began screening foreign language films, with occasional English language films. In 1967 it began showing foreign films only. It was closed in either late-1969 or early-1970. It was demolished in 1971 and the site was redeveloped. Today it is a strip of real estate offices and units.
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| Image Source: LJ Hooker |
***Marrickville had three cinemas seating a total of 6, 200 people. You can read more about the Hoyts Cinema in the MHS’ Journal 13 ***
Marrickville Heritage Society 
A great photo of the cinema. If you haven't already seen them these are great images of the old de luxe cinema
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/37864
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/29029178@N03/6361500165/
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Hi Peter .. sorry I didn't see your post before now.
Thanks for the links.
I'd seen the day time one .. but not the night time one before. It's interesting to see how the lovely features like the busts were removed .. I guess for “Modernfication” … well .. for what other reason I'm not sure. How sad. Might make a great post showing the destruction of heritage.
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Good day , I am certain The kings theatre at Ashfield was not demolished in 1971. As a teenage I saw the movie, In search of Noha’s Ark there ,which was released in 1976. Also I used to go to the The kings theatre milk bar-cafe regulaly around 1975-1977.
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Hello Winston, you are quite right the Kings Theatre at Ashfield didn’t close until 1981 and was demolished that November. This was a full ten years after the one in Marrickville which we featured. While the old theatre site in Marrickville is now a block of flats and offices the site in Ashfield is an office block.
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