12 February 1959   Rex Theatre

The Rex Theatre in Rundle Street closed its doors for the last time on 12 February 1959. Built by Union Theatres, it opened in 1912 as the Pavilion and was regarded as something of a gamble which many thought would fail. From 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, it was possible to get seats, for threepence in the stalls and sixpence in the circle, and stay as long as one liked.

There were three changes of programme per week and a new feature film could be seen at each 70 minute session. The concept proved to be a great success and the problem became one of keeping people out rather than getting them in.

With changes in movie making, and movie going, the theatre had to change too. In its latter days the Rex showed foreign films until its closure in 1959 when it became part of the Cox-Foys Department store. Now this is all part of the Renaissance Centre.

Advertiser, 10 February 1959, Newspaper Cuttings Book, Volume 3, p. 97. SSLM.