CATHS Venues Database

The Cinema & Theatre Historical Society Archive collection contains information about cinemas and theatres past and present throughout Australia and New Zealand. The database is a catalogue of the CATHS amazing archives including countless images, articles and ephemera relating to social history and building history of cinemas and theatres. Gradually digital scans of catalogued items are being added.

Accessing the collection

Click on the ‘CATHS’ icon on any computer at the PMI and open the CATHS Venues Database (an Inmagic Textbase system). The search screen allows you to search using the following fields:

venue name
venue location
any word or phrase
postcode

venue state
architect
builder

The guide Searching the CATHS Venues Database can be found next to the public access computer in the PMI reading room. As a general principle, it is best to conduct a general search then refine your search according to the number of hits retrieved.

Use of material in the CATHS collection

Anyone can search the CATHS database. For copying purposes, much of the material in the CATHS collection is subject to copyright according to the origin of particular documents. You can print result lists and individual venue reports to the PMI’s networked photocopier (20c per A4 page), by clicking File > Print > Select Form for current window > OK.

If you would like to receive copies of digital files for publication, display or other similar purposes, permission should be sought from:
Mike Trickett, Secretary
Cinema & Theatre Historical Society of Australia
39 St. Edmonds Road
PRAHRAN VIC 3181
T: 0419 117 900
caths@caths.org.au

Alternatively, you can visit the CATHS Archive (at the PMI, rear first floor) during its usual opening hours:
Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am to 3pm
Contact archivist Royce Harris T: 0406 476 048 or caths@caths.org.au before you visit to confirm.

PLEASE BE AWARE

Please be aware that items in our collection may contain words, descriptions, names, sounds, images, videos and audio recordings which may be culturally sensitive and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. Terms and annotations which reflect the author's attitude or that of the period in which the item was written may not be considered appropriate today.