The Astor Theatre Could be Saved by Palace Cinemas

Will a beloved icon ride off into the sunset, or will a last-minute reprieve save the day? It's a dramatic storyline worthy of enlivening The Astor's glorious single cinema screen; however for the past few years, such suspenseful questions have surrounded the Melbourne landmark's very existence.

In August, the art-deco cinema’s fate was seemingly sealed, for worse rather than for better. Operator George Florence announced that the forthcoming calendar of screenings – running until March 2015, and including the usual array of cult and classic films alongside newer releases – would be his last, his reign ending when his lease expires. The sad developments provided the latest chapter in an ongoing dispute between Florence and the building’s owner, Ralph Taranto, with the two unable to agree on terms to continue the cinema’s operation in its current state. Florence has run The Astor since 1982. Taranto bought the site from St Michael's Grammar School in 2012, during the venue’s last closure scare.

Now, news has surfaced that Palace Cinemas could be the knight in shining celluloid cinephiles have hoped for. The Melbourne-based national chain is reportedly in discussions about leasing the cinema, and continuing The Astor’s operations largely untouched. Their plan includes the involvement of Florence. Palace’s custodianship would see The Astor to continue operating as a single-screen, 1,150 seat auditoria, with programming of both new release and classic films to continue and showing on 35 and 70 millimetre prints as well as 2K and 4K digital projectors.

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. So it is with a great deal of affection and nostalgia that we approach an arrangement between Palace Cinemas and the Astor," he said.

"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.

The Astor's twitter account has advised that, "No formal agreement has been entered into, [but] we are hopeful for the future." Their hope is shared by their many fans and patrons. Watch this space.

The Astor cinema’s current calendar runs from December 20 through to April 5, 2015. More program and development announcements will be made in early 2015. 

Via The Age.