Last night before eating at Radio Cairo we went to the best cinema experience I have had anywhere - it’s certainly the best in Sydney: the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace to give its full title- see here http://www.orpheum.com.au. Cinema goers here on the lower north shore don’t necessarily make much of it because it is so much a part of the landscape but those of us who come back after being away know how unique it is both for cinema lovers and especially those who appreciate Art Deco as we do. It did not disappoint last night- we were in The Walsh, one of the smaller cinemas of the total of six and a favourite for me.
The Palace first opened in 1935 but since then there have been big changes. Mike Walsh was responsible for turning it into a multi screen cinema but retaining and expanding the Art Deco design. It re-opened in 1987, and amongst the many features was the multi-million dollar Wurlitzer Hope-Jones Orchestral Pipe Organ installed in the original main auditorium. This 87-year-old organ was purchased from a theatre organ enthusiast called John Robinson, who wanted the Orpheum to install it in memory of his late wife. The installation cost was over AUD $100,00.00 . It is worth choosing a film in the main theatre just to hear it played and watch it descend into the floor before the main event.
The quality of film and sound is great- the Art Deco exterior does not mean antiquated film delivery thankfully! Last night we saw The Big Short- more of which later.
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