“Hollywood comes to Sylvania”, proclaimed the ads when a Village cinema complex opened as part of a major redevelopment of Southgate in 1983.
“For the first time in Sydney’s southern suburbs, a luxurious cinema centre, screening first-run movies simultaneously with major city cinemas.”
The James Bond movie Never Say Never Again, starring Sean Connery, was shown in a Hollywood style gala premiere, at which Premier Neville Wran officially opened the $3 million complex, containing three cinemas.
More than 1000 people attended the opening, many of them guests of the Leader.
Also screening in opening week were Sudden Impact starring Clint Eastwood and Staying Alive starring John Travolta.
Southgate was an open-plan centre with 15 shops and Sylvania Bowl attached, when it opened in 1963 on the corner of Princes Highway and Port Hacking Road.
The 1983 redevelopment involved a major expansion of shops and the addition of the new cinema complex.
The movie complex closed in the 1990s, and has since been converted into a gym and learn-to-swim pool, operated by Fitness First.
LEADER FLASHBACK
Every Friday we delve into the Leader archives to embark on some time travel.
We will bring you photographs of a news event from 57 years of Leader news coverage that you may or may not recall.
Flashback Friday submissions are also welcomed.
Feel free to share your recollections with us on our Facebook page @SutherlandShireStGeorgeNews or email leaderletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au
