Here are the city’s best places, from the historic to the modern, to sit back and watch a film.
With all senses engaged, the cinema can become the backdrop of powerful memories.
The nostalgic combination of popcorn butter scent and recurring ads that you can recall in their entirety are essential. Cinemas are a second home for some and a once-a-year occasion for others. Luckily, Adelaide has some of the finest establishments for people of any taste.
CityMag has collated some cozy and eccentric cinemas for film-buffs and casual viewers alike. These include historical venues that have shaped communities and have simply captured our hearts.
Capri Theatre
The bellowing sounds of the old Wurlitzer organ introduce you before every movie session like their own personal soundtrack. This retro theatre is crawling with art deco personality. The large amphitheatres and signature glowing sign stand as testament to its origins, the stunning features transporting you in time with a fully realised aesthetic representing the golden age of cinema.
The Capri Theatre was State heritage listed in 1990. It’s owned by the Theatre Organ Society of Australia and is a not-for-profit, raising money directly for restorations. The love and care taken to preserve the location is clear. With showings on select dates, witness the newest releases in a grandiose way. The Capri Theatre has also taken a step into inspiring inclusivity, with accessible movie sessions for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, as well as dementia-friendly showcases for people who want time out with their loved ones.
Odeon Star
This picture: via LJ Hooker
Just a few hundred metres from Gulf, the Odeon Star has been a staple of the Semaphore community for over a hundred years. Opening in 1920, this theatre started under the name Wondergraph Picture Palace and once featured Saturday matinees costing three pence a ticket.
The family-owned theatre is a shining example of what makes film a timeless medium. This is showcased through their current ticket prices which have stayed at a low cost of ten dollars. Odeon Star captures the past in its bubble of flashy carpets and brightly coloured curtains, its bones full of personality and exquisite vintage detail.
The lobby area is right out of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with colourful checked tiles and a boutique snack bar. If you’re looking for a treat, they have a wide selection of go-to snacks for any movie-goer. CityMag appreciates its history and rates Odeon Star as SA’s crowning jewel of stunning historical cinemas.
Palace Nova Eastend/Prospect
A custom-built precinct in Prospect – the Palace Nova cinemas sit neatly tucked between a rooftop office space with 360-degree views of Adelaide and a lively set of venues below.
As the poster child of charm and quaintness, Palace Nova Eastend and Prospect Cinemas are the site of most film festivals in Adelaide. Boasting the biggest variety of new and old releases, these cinemas give you options. Just this year, they’ve hosted the Italian, German, Spanish, Greek and Adelaide Film Festivals.
In the middle ground of contemporary and mid-century architecture, these cinemas are everything you hope and expect for a comfortable film experience. The Eastend cinema is tucked away in an alleyway off Rundle Street with pubs and restaurants around it, while the Prospect venue is along a busy strip and sandwiched between two restaurants.
Posters lining the walls and depending on the times you go, it’s relatively quiet. Each theatre room has some form of zany wallpaper that isn’t distracting, but nostalgic. Both locations are the perfect blend of bold character and trendy atmospheres, being the ideal stop for your movie fix.
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The Mercury
This picture: Thomas Kelsall/InDaily
CityMag loves to see blossoming filmmakers find their way in Adelaide and there is no better place to premiere than The Mercury, now celebrating the 50th anniversary of its original banner as the Media Resource Centre.
It has supported the creation of art through equipment hires, access to industry facilities and programs to kickstart careers. It is also the home of rarely showcased films that haven’t had the big screen treatment since their release. If you’re looking for deep cuts and a wide spread of releases that aren’t available at all cinemas, look to The Mercury.
Acclaimed scriptwriters from all facets of the industry often come to this cinema to provide consultancy for aspiring filmmakers. This is run alongside the cinema’s subscription, which gives access to exclusive tickets, networking opportunities, access to facilities, hires and more.
The Piccadilly
The Piccadilly. This picture: Tony Lewis/InDaily
Under the branch of Wallis Cinemas, The Piccadilly is another landmark location on a busy North Adelaide corner. The Piccadilly’s impact on the SA film industry can’t be understated, hosting the world premieres of both Samson and Delilah and Snowtown. The cinema’s name is relevant to both the region in Adelaide and Piccadilly Circus in London. This is shown through a large English mural inside that encapsulates the bustling streets and sharply dressed citizens. Last year, this mural was unveiled after 60 years of being covered up due to a change in ownership in the 1960s.
The theatre has an extensive history dating back to its 1940 opening. Up the iconic staircase visible from the outside, unique windows shaped like an arrow fletching spiral up the walkway. Each theatre is large, yet warm and intimate with the screen. The cinema’s carpeting was originally designed by Templeton’s in London and now is immortalised as a replica used for the flooring. Every element of this cinema recaptures the spirit of golden-age entertainment and the movie-going experience.
The Regal Theatre
The original awning and fascia were restored, keeping the heritage fabric of the building. This picture: via Australian Pressed Metal
Cloaked in signature red curtains, The Regal Theatre screens are drenched in nostalgia. Opened in 1925 as the Princess Theatre hosting the very best of silent film and pantomime entertainment, it featured accompanying music by the Princess Theatre Orchestra.
The cinema evolved over the decades with various names and owners and for decades was known as The Chelsea. It was heritage listed in 1983 and has since been renovated and maintained by the City of Burnside. Many come to The Regal Theatre to have a slice of history alongside their modern releases. With classically designed theatre rooms and comfortable seating, CityMag always feel at home.