In the year 1919, Australia boasted a remarkable 750 picture theatres, with the attendance figures for the 1919-1920 period soaring to an astounding 67 ½ million. However, it's worth noting that the majority of films screened during this time were of American origin. Australian producers, driven by shrewdness and fierce competition, managed to carve out their place in the industry's landscape.
Cinema has always held a special place in the hearts of people, from the era of silent films to the advent of 'talkies.' The enchantment of the silver screen has never waned. Locally, Waverley was home to eight cinemas and two prominent Australian film production companies.

The history of cinema has been marked by its ebbs and flows: its ascent with silent films, its decline, and then its revival with the introduction of sound. It faced yet another decline with the arrival of television before triumphantly reasserting itself.
Bondi Junction stood as the epicenter of Waverley's cinemas, initially under Olympic Theatres' operation and later under Hoyts Theatres. This transition marked a shift from the era of silent films to the age of sound. Today, the sole surviving cinema in Waverley, Greater Union Birch Carroll and Coyle at Bondi Junction, carries the torch. Local audiences continue to flock to Bondi Beach for various film events, including Flickerfest, Bondi Open Air, and the Bondi Short Film Festival.

Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of Waverley's iconic cinemas:

Olympic Theatre no. 1 (Later Regal Theatre and Metro): The first silent picture show graced Bondi Junction in 1910. Olympic Theatre no. 1, located on the Woollahra side of Oxford Street, underwent several name changes, including Regal Theatre and Metro.

Olympic Theatre no. 1 (Later Coronet Theatre): In May 1921, the second Olympic Theatre no. 1 emerged on the corner of Oxford and Waverley Streets. It later came under Hoyts' ownership and earned the affectionate nickname 'the bughouse' from locals. Sadly, it closed its curtains in July 1968.

Olympic Theatre no. 2 (Hoyts Bondi Road): Situated at the intersection of Bondi Road and Avoca Street, this theatre opened its doors in 1924 as Olympic no. 2 Theatre. Hoyts took the reins in the 1930s, giving it a makeover. The final credits rolled in the late 1950s, and the theatre was later razed.

Bondi Six Ways Theatre: Operating since 1923 under the Betts family, this cinema fell under Hoyts' umbrella in 1937. Nestled at the crossroads of Bondi's Six Ways, it screened its last feature in 1959 before succumbing to demolition.

Bondi Beach Kings Theatre: Located opposite the beach on Campbell Parade, at the corner of Roscoe Street, the Bondi Beach Kings Theatre started as a dance hall and was transformed into a cinema in 1937. It concluded its cinematic journey in 1969, transforming into a club and disco.

Bondi Plaza United Cinema: On Oxford Street, this cinema had its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, eventually making way for the Westfield shopping complex. While it briefly adopted the name Hoyts Showcase, locals fondly remembered it as 'the Plaza.'

This glimpse into Waverley's cinematic history showcases the ever-evolving nature of the film industry and its enduring impact on our community.

Information sourced from the Local History Collection Waverley.