The Odeon Cinema After the devastating fire that ruined the Liberty, the theatre was re-opened on 2nd November 1951 with a new name: The Odeon Cinema. In many ways the Odeon was built to carry out many elements and charms the Liberty once had. Like the Liberty, the Odeon used lighting as a main feature attraction, red carpet flowed throughout the theatre for that touch of elegance and was complete with all the gala trimmings ‘never before will it have carried so much prestige as when it becomes the Odeon’ (Manzie, J 1951). But times had changed so this new theatre was much more conventional. Around this time, Melbourne saw the release of many Arthur Rank British films. As a marketing tool, The Browning Version, which was British film of the year, was the production shown on The Odeon’s opening night and the cinema was to specialise in British films from then on. In an attempt to stop the theatre from seeming so tunnel-like, the theatre curved around the seating and was then cut away into a smaller curve where curtains where fitted to form the stage where the screen was. Above the screen was another level with a mirror fitted towards the back wall which reflected lights and the audience for a spacious effect. The busy location of the Odeon Cinema would have it see pros as well as cons. At times when theatre companies would see great financial losses the Odeon remained prosperous. This meant that the location was of very high value for the retail market and eventually the Greater Union agreed to sell the land Cinema Record. The Odeon, with The Times were closed on 2nd February 1978 to end a theatre era.