Classic centenary celebrations
THE Classic Cinema in Elsternwick kicked off its centenary celebrations on the weekend with a party in the foyer, followed by an advance screening of The Artist, one of the favourites for this year’s Oscars.
Guests dressed in 1920s outfits and were entertained by popular local indie/folk band TinPan Orange.
The Classic holds the title of Victoria’s longest continuously operating cinema, although the building that houses the five-cinema complex was built in 1889 and originally served as a community hall.
In 1911, the Amalgamated Picture Company acquired the property and built a 664-seat theatre. Known as the Elsternwick Theatre, it closed in 1929 due to declining attendances and the impact of the Depression.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the site operated as a dance hall before reopening as the Esquire Theatre in 1946.
The cinema has been operating as the Classic since 1971, and in 1999 the site was purchased by Eddie Tamir and run with the US cinema chain, Readings. In 1999 the cinema was extensively refurbished, with Tamir taking full control of the site in 2011.
“This year we plan to build a sixth cinema at the Classic – a small luxury cinema that will seat 60,” said Tamir.
“People still enjoy going out to see movies, so we will continue investing in cinemas.”
Tamir also said he planned to build a new cinema in Hawthorn next year.
He also promised more exclusive screenings at the Classic, such as Nicky’s Family, a documentary-drama made in the Czech Republic about Nicholas Winton’s work in saving Jewish refugee children during World War II. The film has proved to be popular and has had its season extended.
DANNY GOCS
Pictured: Eddie Tamir and his wife Lindy at the party last Sunday to celebrate 100 years since films were first screened at the Elsternwick site.
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