Homebush Vogue Cinema
by Cathy Jones, 2004
The
Homebush Cinema was designed by architect Charles Bohringer. Bohringer designed
a number of important cinemas including the Capitol Theatres at Tamworth,
Armidale and Wagga Wagga. He also designed the Old State Theatre, 150-162
Flinders St, Melbourne. Bohringer was later a resident of Strathfield, living in
Llandilo Avenue.
The Homebush Cinema was opened on 2 April 1925 by Alderman Edward Austin, Mayor
of Homebush Municipal Council. The Cinema was owned by Homebush Cinema Ltd. By
1930, this cinema came under the management of Western Suburbs Cinema Ltd,
operated by Mr A J Bezant. Interestingly, some of the original shareholders were
the architect Bohringer and Toohey’s Ltd [the brewers, both James and John
Toohey, founders of Toohey’s were residents of Strathfield ]. Ironically,
Strathfield Municipality prohibited the building of amusements such as theatres
in 1920 and did not have a cinema in the Municipality until the amalgamation of
Homebush Council with Strathfield Council in 1947.
In 1937, the Homebush Theatre was equipped with Western Electric Mirrophone
Sound. It reopened with the new sound equipment on 11 Sept 1937 with ‘Camille’
starring Greta Garbo. In 1939, the theatre closed for extensive renovations
under architect L J Buckland. This included new plasterwork for auditorium
windows, vestibule and dress circle foyer. Painting was supervised by Arnold
Zimmerman who did similar work on numerous theatres. Quite a number of sea
ts
were sacrificed in this remodelling with the introduction of larger chairs,
seating 1645 people. The theatre reopened as the ‘Vogue’ on 19 August 1939. In
March 1944 Hoyts Theatres acquired the Western Suburbs Cinemas Ltd and the
theatre became known as the ‘Hoyts Vogue’ which stayed until its’ closure on 19
December 1959. The last screening saw ‘Count Your Blessings’ and ‘Here Come the
Jets’.
The theatre was converted into the Homebush Ice Rink and this operated until
1971. For a time during the 1960’s, the dress circle foyer was used as the
‘Cavern Sound Lounge’. The rink eventually closed in 1980. In 1986 it was
extensively converted into the Niterider Theatre Restaurant and was later known
as the Midnight Star Reception centre. It has been closed since 1996 as a
reception centre.
Though most of the interiors have been removed, the façade is reasonably in-tact
as is the 1925 original fanlight which is located over the main entrance doors.
The former cinema is heritage listed on Strathfield Council’s Local Environment
Plan.
This building has been known by the following names in it's history: Homebush Theatre, Homebush Vogue, Hoyts Vogue, Homebush Ice Rink, Strathfield Ice Rink, Niterider Theatre Restaurant and Midnight Star.
References
Cork, K, Cinemas of Auburn, Concord and Strathfield Municipalities, 1986.
The cinema listing is from a copy of the Courier of 1934.