CAARP: Cinema and Audience Research Project

Central / Ritz / Cairo Cinema, North Melbourne

Venue Summary
Name	Central / Ritz / Cairo Cinema, North Melbourne
Address	44 Errol Street, North Melboune, Victoria 3051
Operation Dates	1942-01-01 - 1979-01-01
Capacity	1200
Suburban/Country	Suburb
Purpose	Cinema
Screens	1
Roles	1942-01-01 - 1959-01-01 : Exhibitor : Howard, W. J., Investments Pty Ltd 1959-01-01 - 1960-01-01 : Exhibitor : Robert Mc Leish Theatres 1960-01-01 - 1961-01-01 : Exhibitor : Pennesi, D.

Venue Comments
The North Melbourne Central is listed in the Film Weekly: motion picture directory from 1946/7 to 1961/2. Film screenings were also advertised in the Herald until early 1960. W.J Howard is recorded as being the proprietor from 1946 to about 1958, during this time the venue seated approximately 454 people. According to the Film Weekly directories in 1959/60 the theatre was to be taken over by Robert Mc Leish Theatres and then later operated by D Pennesi in 1960/61. The capacity at this time was around 1200. Film Weekly records the following changes in capacity: 1946/7-1951/2 = 432 1952/3-1958/9 = 454 1959/60 =1200 1960/1-1961/2 = 1219 The Ritz cinema began advertising in the Herald from 1976-1979. The venue later became Lithuanian House References Cinema & Theatre Historical Society 1997, Cinema index : Melbourne cinemas, suburban cinemas, Victorian drive-ins. CATHS, Victoria. Film Weekly. Film Weekly: motion picture directory Sydney. 1946/7-1960/1.

Venue Events
Event Date	Name of Venue	Address	Latitude / Longitude	Capacity	Suburban	Purpose	Screens
1942-06-01	Central	44 Errol Street North Melboune Victoria 3051	-37.804017 144.949693	432	Suburb	Cinema	1
1953-01-01				454
1960-01-01				1200
1975-01-01	Ritz