Overview
This Easter weekend marked the end of an era for one of Melbourne’s most beloved institutions. After 75 years of constant operation, the iconic Astor Theatre posted a sad "That's all folks," and finally closed its doors. But luckily, they won't stay closed for long. After much speculation, the Palace Cinemas group have confirmed they've bought the Astor.
Palace Cinemas are the knight in shining celluloid cinephiles have hoped for. The Melbourne-based national chain is leasing the cinema, and continuing The Astor’s operations largely untouched. Palace’s custodianship would see The Astor to continue operating as a single-screen, 1150 seat auditoria, with programming of both new release and classic films to continue and showing on 35 and 70 millimetre prints — many bought from longtime operator George Florence.
Palace Cinema's CEO, Benjamin Zeccola, is determined to keep the identity of the Palace intact for nostalgic reasons. "I am in love with the ambience and unique sense of cinema at the Astor, it reminds me of the Metro Malvern Cinema where I grew up and the loss of which still saddens me," he told The Age just a few months ago.
"Palace Cinemas are keenly aware of the importance in preserving The Astor experience and, to that end, we see the business operating very much as it does today: one cinema, the continuation of the brilliant programming and maintaining the building in the art deco style in direct consultation with Heritage Victoria."
Such a prospect is welcomed by everyone that has enjoyed the magic of movie-going at The Astor over the past 32 years. Whether catching a double feature of films missed upon their first release; dressing up and singing along to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease or The Blues Brothers; or watching one of the many retrospective seasons focused on great directors or undersung masterpieces — all while devouring one of the venue’s famous choctops — The Astor has offered audiences a cinema experience unparalleled not just in Melbourne, but in Australia.
Stay tuned to the Astor's Facebook page for more developments.