Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Archives

Hitchcock at Orpheum Brings Classic Suspense Back to Cremorne

Photo Credit: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace

There is something very Cremorne about Hitchcock at Orpheum. It is stylish, a little dramatic, and built for the big screen. From 22 October 2026, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace will bring Alfred Hitchcock’s films back to the big screen on Military Road.

The cinema is calling the program an Alfred Hitchcock Selectrospective. That sounds fancy, but locals know the deal. The Orpheum has picked a run of classics built around suspense.

This is not the sort of season made for half-watching at home. Hitchcock needs a proper cinema. He needs the hush before a shock, the shared laugh after a twist, and the nervous shuffle when the lights come up.

Across five weeks, the Cremorne landmark will screen ten films. Many will appear in 4K restorations. One will screen in 3D, which feels very on-brand for a director who loved turning neat rooms into traps.

Military Road gets a master of suspense

The season opens on Thursday, 22 October, with The 39 Steps. The Orpheum notes that critics and historians widely regard it as Hitchcock’s first true cinematic masterpiece.

The story follows Richard Hannay, a Canadian visitor in London. After a night at a music hall, he meets Annabella Smith, who is fleeing secret agents. By morning, she is dead, and Hannay is on the run.

Then Rear Window arrives on Sunday, 25 October, in a 4K restoration. James Stewart plays L.B. “Jeff” Jefferies, a photographer stuck in his apartment with a broken leg. Boredom turns into suspicion as he watches the neighbours across the courtyard.

Grace Kelly plays Lisa Freemont, while Thelma Ritter appears as his nurse, Stella. Together, they help turn a view from a window into a tense investigation.

Grace Kelly, 3D chills and a shower scene

The next Thursday, 29 October, brings Dial M for Murder in 3D. The film was originally shot in 3D, and the Orpheum will screen its restored version for the 70th anniversary.

It stars Grace Kelly, Ray Milland and Robert Cummings in a story of jealousy and attempted murder. Milland plays the husband who plots the killing of Kelly’s character, but the perfect crime quickly slips from his grip.

Then, on Sunday, 1 November, Psycho checks in for Halloween weekend. The Orpheum will show the restored 4K version in its original uncut form. That includes 13 seconds of footage previously removed by censors.

The Orpheum notes the film is infamous for its shower scene. Yet the film still works because Hitchcock builds dread long before the knife appears. That is the trick. He lets the audience scare itself first.

The darker corners of the program

The run continues on Thursday, 5 November, with Rope in 4K. It remains one of Hitchcock’s boldest experiments. Two men murder a friend before hosting a dinner party, with the body hidden in the room.

On Sunday, 8 November, Rebecca returns in a 4K restoration. It was Hitchcock’s first American film and his only Best Picture winner. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine lead the Gothic tale of Manderley, memory and Mrs Danvers.

Strangers on a Train follows on Thursday, 12 November. Its premise still feels wickedly simple. Two strangers discuss swapping murders, but one of them treats the idea as a real deal.

That is classic Hitchcock. A normal meeting turns rotten. A polite chat becomes a threat. Before long, Guy must deal with Bruno’s threats and police suspicion.

Vertigo and a final dash across America

The final stretch brings more big names. Vertigo screens on Sunday, 15 November, in 4K. The Orpheum notes its reputation as one of the most influential films ever made. James Stewart plays a retired detective drawn into obsession and fear.

Then Shadow of a Doubt screens on Thursday, 19 November, also in 4K. Hitchcock famously called it his personal favourite. Its terror sits inside family life, which makes it feel especially cold.

The season closes on Sunday, 22 November, with North by Northwest in 4K. Cary Grant plays Roger Thornhill, an advertising man mistaken for a spy. The chase moves fast, from false identity to murder charge to a famous Mount Rushmore escape.

For Cremorne, Hitchcock at Orpheum is more than a tidy retro package. It is a reminder that some films grow larger in a room full of people. The Orpheum has the room. Hitchcock brings the nerves.

Published 9-October-2026

Hunger Games All-Day Marathon Brings Panem Back to Cremorne

Photo Credit: nsw.gov.au

The Hunger Games all-day marathon is coming to Cremorne, and it gives Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace a full day in Panem. On Sunday 4 October, the cinema will screen all five films back-to-back. The session runs from 10.30am to 10.30pm.

That is a long sit, of course. But it is also the sort of outing that suits fans and newcomers alike. If you know the series, you already know the pull. If you do not, this is the neatest possible entry point.

The Hunger Games all-day marathon also lands at a handy moment. The cinema says it comes before the release of the new instalment, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, later this year. So this is part catch-up, part warm-up, and part reminder of why the franchise stuck.

Katniss, Panem and the big-screen pull

The first film still does the heavy lifting. Katniss Everdeen steps forward when her sister Prim is chosen for the Games. From there, the story opens out. Power, fear and survival sit right at the centre.

That is what makes a marathon like this work. The films build on one another. The stakes rise. The world gets harsher. And the characters carry more weight with each chapter.

Hayden Orpheum says each film will screen with a special behind-the-scenes vignette. That extra piece should keep the day moving nicely. It also gives regular moviegoers something a little different from a plain rewatch.

For anyone meeting the series for the first time, the format does the hard work. You do not need to wait for the next chapter. You can just stay with it.

A Sunday for film lovers

Cremorne has always had a soft spot for a proper cinema outing. Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace knows how to make a screening feel like an event. This one should suit the room well.

The tickets are listed at $40 for adults and $35 for concession. That is the sort of price that makes sense for a full-day film run. It is also a tidy excuse to spend Sunday indoors and let the outside world wait.

The Hunger Games all-day marathon is not trying to reinvent anything. It does not need to. It simply puts a big franchise back on the big screen, where it belongs.

And in a suburb like Cremorne, that feels entirely fitting. It is a long day, yes. But for anyone ready to return to District 12, the Hunger Games all-day marathon offers the full deal.

Published 9-September-2026

Hayden Orpheum Comedy Club Brings Cremorne Another Midweek Laugh Fix

Photo Credit: Orpheum Comedy Club

The Hayden Orpheum Comedy Club returns on September 9 with a sharp mixed bill for Cremorne. The Hayden Orpheum Comedy Club will run from 8.30pm to 10pm at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace.

This month’s show brings together six comics with very different strengths. That should suit the room well. The Orpheum has always worked best when the night feels close, lively and a bit unexpected.

David Rose, Suraj Kolarkar and Rebecca De Unamuno lead the charge

David Rose opens the night with a growing online following and a strong Melbourne comedy profile. He has picked up millions of views across YouTube, TikTok and Reddit. That kind of reach usually means one thing. People are paying attention.

Suraj Kolarkar adds a different energy. He brings sharp wit, storytelling and a confident stage presence. He has also appeared in God’s Favourite Idiot and Shantaram. That gives the bill some screen experience as well as live polish.

Rebecca De Unamuno adds veteran strength to the mix. She is a two-time Cranston Cup Champion. She was also part of the Australian team that won the Improv World Cup at Just For Laughs Montreal. Comedy credits do not get much more credible than that.

Siobhan Larkin and Kiyanosh Sahebi bring fresh momentum

Siobhan Larkin is billed as “One to Watch”, and that fits her neatly. She brings sharp observations, cheeky humour and a strong stage presence. She has worked across stand-up, theatre and screen. That variety usually helps a comic read a room quickly.

Kiyanosh Sahebi rounds out the line-up with rising local heat. He was a 2024 RAW Comedy finalist. He also broke through at the Sydney Comedy Festival. Those are the sort of credits that make a crowd lean in early.

Jake Howie keeps the room rolling

Jake Howie handles the MC duties on the night. The Comedy Store calls him its favourite MC. He brings a warm, quick-witted and frank style. That should keep the laughs moving between sets.

The Orpheum setting still gives these nights a nice local edge. It feels familiar without feeling tired. It also keeps live comedy within easy reach for north shore audiences.

Tickets are listed at $25 for adults. That helps keep the night accessible. It also makes the September show an easy add to the calendar.

And there is more coming. The Hayden Orpheum Comedy Club is also scheduled for October 7, November 11 and December 9. So September is only the start.

For Cremorne, that is good news. It means more reasons to head out midweek. More reasons to stay local. And more chances for the Hayden Orpheum Comedy Club to do what it does best.

Published 1-September-2026

Sydney Premiere of 500 Days in the Wild Comes to Cremorne’s Hayden Orpheum

Canadian filmmaker and explorer Dianne Whelan brings the Sydney premiere of her award-winning documentary 500 Days in the Wild to the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne on Monday 23 March, with a live Q&A session following the screening.

The Cremorne event forms part of a national cinema tour that has already sold out multiple sessions since launching in late February. For Lower North Shore residents, the Hayden Orpheum is a fitting venue for such a film. The art deco cinema on Military Road has been a cornerstone of the Cremorne community for decades and regularly hosts special events and filmmaker presentations that bring something beyond the standard multiplex experience to the neighbourhood.

The documentary follows Whelan’s six-year solo journey across Canada’s Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail system in the world, covering more than 24,000 kilometres by canoe, ski and foot. Whelan began the journey at the age of 50, and she remains the only person to have completed the entire land and water route in its entirety.

A Journey That Became Something Larger

What sets 500 Days in the Wild apart from a conventional adventure documentary is the territory it covers beyond the physical. The film begins as a personal quest for solitude and self-sufficiency but evolves into something more unexpected over its six years of footage. As Whelan moves through mountains, forests, remote waterways and small communities across Canada, she encounters Indigenous elders, fellow travellers and locals whose knowledge and generosity gradually reshape her understanding of land and connection.

The film shifts from a story about endurance into one about listening, humility and the relationship between people and the natural world. Those themes, combined with cinematography that captures both the vast scale of Canada’s wilderness and the quiet intimacy of human encounters along the way, have resonated strongly with audiences throughout the tour’s early dates.

The soundtrack reinforces the emotional depth of the film, drawing on artists including Joni Mitchell, The Tragically Hip, First Aid Kit and Xavier Rudd, whose music threads through Whelan’s journey and anchors the film’s more contemplative moments.

Dianne Whelan in Conversation

The Cremorne screening includes a live Q&A with Whelan following the film, giving audiences the opportunity to hear directly from the filmmaker about the experience of undertaking such a journey and the process of capturing it on camera. While the footage is drawn entirely from Whelan’s perspective as the sole person on the trail, the final feature is a collaborative effort. Whelan, who served as director, writer, and director of photography, worked alongside producer Betsy Carson and editor Tanya Maryniak to shape the six years of raw footage into its award-winning form.

The national tour opened with a sold-out session in Coffs Harbour on 27 February before moving through the Northern Rivers and Sunshine Coast. The Sydney premiere at the Hayden Orpheum on 23 March is the tour’s major east coast event before it continues to other states. Given the pattern of sold-out sessions at earlier stops, Cremorne residents interested in attending should secure tickets in advance.

Why This Matters to the Cremorne Community

For the Cremorne community, this Sydney premiere is more than a one-night cinema event. The Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace is a neighbourhood institution, and events like this one are part of what makes it central to local cultural life rather than simply a place to see new releases. Hosting the Sydney premiere of a film that has already generated national attention reinforces the Orpheum’s role as a genuine cultural venue for the Lower North Shore.

Beyond the venue itself, 500 Days in the Wild speaks to themes that resonate broadly across a community like Cremorne, where proximity to Sydney Harbour, bushland reserves and the outdoor life of the North Shore shapes how many residents think about nature, recreation and the value of slowing down. A film about a woman who spent six years listening to wilderness and the people she found within it carries a particular kind of relevance in a suburb that sits between harbour and bushland on the edge of one of the world’s great cities.

The Sydney premiere of 500 Days in the Wild screens at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, 380 Military Road, Cremorne, on Monday 23 March. Full tour dates, venue details and ticketing are available here. Tickets are expected to sell out and early booking is strongly recommended.

Published 16-March-2026.

Chopper’s 25th Anniversary Heads to Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace

Photo Credit: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace/Facebook

The Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace will host a one-night celebration of one of Australia’s most infamous films, giving locals a rare chance to experience Chopper on the big screen with a live performance before the movie begins.

A Cult Classic Returns to the Big Screen

The event will take place on Friday, 22 August, from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the historic Cremorne cinema. Tickets start from $35 and include a complimentary beer or cider on arrival.

*Photo Credit: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace/Facebook*

Andrew Dominik directed the 2000 film Chopper, starring Eric Bana, and many regard it as a standout in Australian cinema for its dark humour and raw depiction of criminal Mark “Chopper” Read.

Comedy Meets Crime Drama

This anniversary screening marks 25 years since its release, offering audiences a chance to revisit the film in a setting that matches its significance. Before the screening, comedian Heath Franklin will appear in character as “Chopper” for a preshow performance.

Heath Franklin’s sharp comedic take on the notorious figure has become a popular part of Australian comedy, providing a light-hearted counterpoint to the film’s gritty tone.

A Community Cinema Experience

The Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, a restored Art Deco venue, is a fixture in the Lower North Shore’s arts scene. Its special events often draw a mix of film enthusiasts, locals, and visitors, reinforcing the cinema’s role as a community gathering place.

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Hosting the Chopper anniversary fits the venue’s tradition of blending classic film screenings with live entertainment.

Booking and Event Details

The anniversary event is rated R18+ due to the film’s content. As a one-night-only screening with limited seating, early booking is recommended through the Orpheum’s website.

The complimentary drink and preshow help make the night more than a film screening, it’s a shared cultural experience for the community.

Published 11-August-2025

Film Screening in Cremorne Sheds Light on Sensitive Topic

A powerful documentary on intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse, “Such a Resounding Silence,” will be screened at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne, aiming to lift the veil on the often-silenced issue of incest in Australia.

Event Details

The screening, presented by The CorriLee Foundation, is scheduled for 16th September 2024. Light refreshments will be served from 5:45 p.m. to 6:20 p.m., and the main proceedings will begin at 6:30 p.m. Jennifer Byrne will host the event, which will feature keynote speeches by Grace Tame, CEO and Founder of the Grace Tame Foundation, and Jean Kittson. Both speakers will address the difficult topic of child sexual abuse and incest, encouraging a community-wide conversation about this sensitive issue.

About the Film

“Such a Resounding Silence,” originally titled “Un Silence si Bruyant,” is a documentary by French actress Emmanuelle Béart, co-directed by Anastasia Mikova. Béart, known for her roles in “Manon of the Springs” and “Mission: Impossible,” recently revealed that she is an incest survivor.

Through this film, Béart aims to challenge the societal taboos that keep such experiences hidden. The documentary includes a mix of first-person accounts and ensemble voices, providing a platform for survivors to speak out against the silence and shame surrounding incest.

The film explores the harsh realities of child sexual abuse, focusing on France, where a child is sexually victimised every three minutes. Béart, initially hesitant to share her own story, highlights the profound impact of the silence that is often imposed on victims by their abusers, which can manifest in various destructive ways.

Community Involvement and Awareness

The CorriLee Foundation, through events like this screening and their “No Laughing Matter” podcast series, seeks to bring attention to the alarming statistics of incest and the experiences of survivors. The podcast features narrators such as Ray Martin, Jean Kittson, Hugo Weaving, Grace Tame, Heather Mitchell, Jennifer Byrne, Andrew Denton, Rev Bill Crews, Adam Hills, Chrissie Swan, and Wil Anderson, all contributing to the discussion about these critical issues.

Event organisers call on the Cremorne community and beyond to attend the screening and participate in the conversation. They believe that ending the silence around child sexual abuse is essential for creating a supportive environment for survivors and driving societal change.

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Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne in Top 50 Most Beautiful Cinemas in the World

Stepping into the doors of the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne is like stepping back in time to the grand old days of cinema. Built in 1935, this well-known art deco building has recently been named one of the Top 50 Most Beautiful Cinemas in the World.

Time Out has listed Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace as 24th on their list of the world’s most gorgeous theatres, singling out the stunning structure as the “grandest cinema” in Sydney. One of its most appealing features is a genuine Wurlitzer pipe organ that emerges from the orchestra pit during weekend evening screenings.

Designed by George Kenworthy, one of Sydney’s top 20th-century architects, the Orpheum took nine months to construct and swiftly became one of the region’s best art deco buildings. It started off as a two-level 135-seater cinema for film and musical buffs and eventually became a premier events place until the 1940s. At the back of the cinema were several dressing rooms for live presentations and its very own fly-tower for flying scenes during ballets or theater productions.

The Orpheum’s popularity, however, dipped during the mid-century as the building aged and was closed for some time. In the 1970s, a commercial developer bought the property but and turned it into a shopping arcade with a gym, despite protests from the public.

In 1986, Mike Walsh (OBE), a well-known TV personality and businessman, took ownership of The Orpheum under the Hayden Group of Companies. He worked with historians and designers to restore the building to its former glory.

The restoration was done in several stages to expand the main cinema (Orpheum) to accommodate 755 seats. Also, 180 seats were added to the Lounge Cinema. The building’s original and ornate art deco details were restored whilst mood lighting and elaborate carpet designs were added. The ceiling was also modified to complement the artistic design. The cinema reopened a year after construction started.

Today, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace is a six-screen complex with the latest equipment and technology. However, its architecture will always be a wonderful reminder of The Golden Age, a time when going to the cinema was a glamorous event.

28 International Films Coming to Cremorne for Sydney Film Festival

The 66th Sydney Film Festival is happening on June 5th until June 16th 2019. For 12 days and nights, get ready to watch and enjoy various exciting works from various filmmakers across the globe.

Screening more than 200 films not usually found in movie theatres, entries for the Sydney Film Festival (SFF) will be showcased at seven cinemas across Sydney, including the opulent Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace at Cremorne.

Other festival venues are as follows:

The State Theatre
Event Cinemas George Street
Dendy Opera Quays
Dendy Newtown
Randwick Ritz
HOYTS Entertainment Quarter
Art Gallery of NSW
Casula Powerhouse

SFF at Orpheum Picture Palace

For this year’s Sydney Film Festival, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace will screen 28 festival-feature-length films for audiences on Sydney’s North Shore.

Included amongst the list of films are The White Crow, The Third Wife, Queen of Hearts, Kursk, The Tale of Three Sisters, Never Look Away, and Palm Beach.

Click here to view the list of featured festival films on their available time slots at the Orpheum Picture Palace. Tickets are now on sale too! For ticket inquiries, please call 1300 733 733 or visit Sydney Film Festival for more information.