Opening week April 1936. The original proscenium and screen were tiny compared to the upgrades. Original seating capacity was 1760 – today 1,100
Astor on opening week. Astor owner and bulider, Frank O’Collins in the front. Mr O’Collins a succesful lawyer, ran the Astor from 1936 until about 1962.
The Astor was saved from demoliton by being converted to a Greek language movie theatre in the mid 1960s, after Mr O’Colllins had died the building was sold to a Greek family company, Tanda Investments. The Greek era was supplemented by Bingo sessions toward late late 70s as Greek audiences waned. The Greek cinema stopped in April 1982, and new proprietor George took over in September 1982.
Part of the Astor’s original neon sign, the semi circular shaped part on the roof, was blown away during a violent storm in the 1950s
Stalls (downstairs) seating – April 1936. Note the original light fittings that were replaced by the plaster pendant fittings in use today. The replacement happened around mid 1950s
View to the original screen curtains, 1936. The screen was tiny compared to today’s
Front doors 1936. Polished wood was unfortunately painted over many times. We hope to see the doors restored one day
Originally there were three ticket boxes, this one in the middle sold tickets for the upstairs dress circle, booked tickets were picked up from the ticket box we use today (hence the sign Bookings) – the outside ticket box (where the Astor calendar pick up box is) served those patrons for the stalls – the Cheap Seats
The man who built and ran the Astor, Mr Frank O’Collins.
Corner of Chapel Street and Dandenong Road, ca 1912. Virtually unchanged today except that lovely Victorian tram shelter has become a glass and steel one with little character. On the far right you can see the portico of Alford’s Stables. On the first floor of Alford’s Stables there was the Diamond Picture Theatre, later called Rex which ran movies from around 1908 to around 1921. This was one of the first indoor movie theatres in Australia.The Astor occupies the site today – part of the Alford’s stables forms the outer perimeter wall
Oval foyer opening, with original ticket box and light fitting