Last month saw the return of cinemas to the Perth CBD, and what a return. Palace Raine Square Cinema provides up-to-date facilities in a style reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, all the ingredients for a stunning special night out. Attending the opening had me pondering about the old cinemas.
©The Ponder Room
Some of you may remember Piccadilly Cinema, the last CBD cinema to close in 2013, others may recall the Royal, the Plaza, the Grand or the Ambassador. One of my lasting memories of the old city cinemas was Smell-O-Vision, where patrons were handed a card to scratch and sniff during the film. Furthermore when the disaster movie genre took hold we strapped ourselves in to watch Earthquake as our seats shook.
As a school girl one of my first jobs was with Liberty Theatre, Perth’s first art house cinema. Opening in 1954 and situated upstairs in Barrack Street it’s sole purpose was to screen foreign-language and art-house films. It was able to maintain this for a while, however during my time it’s main claim to fame was the eternal running of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, especially the midnight dress-up screening.
Thanks to Cinema Treasurers
Every Saturday morning another girl and I would ascend the narrow, rickety wooden staircase to the cinemas office where we’d pick up a bunch of black and white poorly printed A3 folded flyers, that outlined the monthly movie schedule. On our way out we’d check to see what film was showing at lunchtime, as this would determine how quickly we’d dispose of the flyers. The quicker we were the greater the chance of seeing the movie free of charge, needless to say my youth was peppered with the last 15 minutes of a lot of movies. Once out on the Hay Street Mall we’d stand beneath the London Court Clock and hand out the programs. The task was soul destroying as at that time the main people interested in art house movies were older men in flasher-mack coats. Interesting to think how at that time we young school age girls just accepted that as part of life. We simply accommodated them by making a quick check of who was in the theatre before we ventured in, and always avoided the dark back row seats, but I digress. Back on the street the task was made more difficult by the constant refrain of “Lemon Boronia $1 a bunch”, a cry rung out in a five-pack-a-day monotone raspy voice. To this day I still hear the singsong phrase whenever I stand near the London Court clock, it was part of the city atmosphere, not unlike ‘Big Issue’ today. Sadly, the Liberty Theatre closed in 1997. All of that is background to explain my enthusiasm for movies returning to the city.
I was fortunate to attend the opening of the Palace which began at the bottom of the escalator (there’s a lift too for those in wheelchairs). Upstairs and the glamour continued. The ticketing area has a range of seating options. The treats include award wining olive oil popcorn (which I can highly recommend) and you can take your drinks inside the theatre.
©The Ponder Room
At the other end of the room is the Champagne Bar.
©The Ponder Room
Off to one side is an innocuous looking glass sliding door, push the button and you’re outside on a rooftop bar and deck overlooking Yagan Square.
©The Ponder Room
Speaking of the theatres, each one offers up a cocoon or hug as the seats arc around the screen. There are nine traditional theatres and four Palace Platinum boutique cinemas. Inside the handmade leather seats are roomy, extremely comfortable, and well-spaced so you don’t feel like you’re sitting in a stranger’s lap. They all come with a recliner button which could be very dangerous on a hot summers day after several nights of no sleep.
©The Ponder Room
Situated in Raine Square, the Red Cat bus stops nearby and there’s a generous food hall down stairs if you want dinner before or after the show. Alternatively you could treat your date to Michelin Star winning restaurant Tim Ho Wan, which has also just opened, or go for a coffee at the cool looking Voodoo Coffee. There’s also parking nearby and a discount offered via the Box Office (e.g. first two hours free). The only thing missing at the moment are bike racks which hopefully will be included once the development is complete.
All in all my visit to Palace Cinema was an absolute treat and vastly different from the old Liberty days. The cinema would be the perfect venue for a first date or special occasion. I can’t wait to see what the Palace Platinum theatre has to offer.
For more information and to join the movie club go to …
https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/palace-raine-square/
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