Cinema emerged as a major form of entertainment in the early twentieth century, initially through the efforts of travelling film exhibitors, and then by the erection of open-air cinemas and finally by the erection of purpose built cinemas. Even small
towns and villages were provided with their own cinema. Many of these former cinemas remain, mostly converted to some other use such as retail store or supermarket, but some are still in use. Parramatta was the home of the Art Deco Roxy Cinema opened on 6 February 1930. Smaller suburbs and villages were
served by more basic screening venues, but they still served a local need. The Orion Cinema operated in Dunmore Street Wentworthville from 1919 until the 1940s. The need to build cinemas cheaply and rapidly ensured that there were companies that were willing to try innovative techniques. Both the Crest Cinema
in Granville as well as the former Hoyts Castle Cinema in South Street Granville were built in the late 1940s utilising a Quonset design emerging from wartime construction methods,

Taken from: Western Sydney
Thematic History

State Heritage Register Project

Crest Cinema,
Blaxcell Street, Granville

Roseville Cinema
Pacific Highway, Roseville

Hayden Orpheum Theatre
380 Military Rd, Cremorne