Comments from film

film commented about Newmarket Theatre on Apr 5, 2019 at 3:02 pm

GREG LYNCH UPDATE – “THE NEWMARKET THEATRE” – The Flemington Spectator October 30, 1913 (references the opening of The Newmarket Theatre as November 1, 1913.) The Newmarket Theatre was built on a site that was a Hay Store. The Exhibitor is registered as Greater J. D. Williams Amusement Company. The theatre flourished until 1915 when the manager Mr. G. W. Brown made application to The City of Melbourne to pay the theatres rates in installments. Melbourne’s growth rate had stalled and the level of wages remained far lower than it had been in the 1880s. As a result, urban poverty became a feature of city life, and the slum areas of the inner industrial suburbs were spreading. The signs were bad and theatre attendance numbers continued to fluctuate over the years to follow. Then on Thurs 11 Feb, 1915 The Essendon Gazette ran the following extra – ordinary advertisement / article for The Newmarket Theatre …. Quote: “You should not fail to attend the matinee on Saturday next, February 13th at the above well-known theatre, where pictures of only the highest class are screened. We are now in a state of depression, however there is no reason why you should be prevented from having some enjoyment at a moderate cost.

The manager of The Newmarket Theatre has very wisely decided to present at each Saturday matinee such articles as Flour, Sugar and Wood which every householder will find of great' benefit. The prize to be given at next Saturday’s matinee will be One Ton of Wood delivered to your home, wherever you may live.” end quote…. By 1916 the social environment appeared to have improved and on Thurs 1 Jun 1916, The Flemington Spectator ran the following advertisement / article for The Newmarket Theatre – Quote: “ This well-known and favourite theatre is showing some good pictures just now and is drawing splendid houses. ‘The manager, Mr. G. W. Brown, announces that “The Rosary” will be shown this evening and on Friday and Saturday. Then on Monday night, in addition to the pictures, live on stage will be the Kilties’ Band, vocalists, instrumentalists and entertainers. Tuesday will be a Chaplin night, including the most laughable Chaplin comedy, “The Woman,” and this will be shown for the first time in Newmarket.“ end quote…

Thurs 3 May 1917 and The Essendon Gazette announces big changes. Quote: “The Newmarket Picture Theatre is RE-OPENING UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT under the guidance of Mr. Robert McLeish, well-known for his success at the Northcote Theatre. The Newmarket Picture Theatre will be re-opened on Saturday next. The theatre has received a thorough overhaul, being renovated and decorated throughout and has been provided with new seating, floor cloths, and electric lighting, A Simplex Biograph has been installed, which is claimed to be one of the best in the world. The programmes will be accompanied by the capable operatic orchestra under the direction of Mr.Geo. H. Breatnall. For the opening night special attractions have been secured with, Mary Pickford in “Hulda from Holland” supported by Olga Petrova in “The Black Butterfly” end quote – Special note: (The Black Butterfly is a now lost 1916 American silent drama film starring Olga Petrova and released by Metro Pictures. The last known copy was destroyed in the 1967 MGM Vault fire). Mr. Robert McLeish passed away Wed, 7 Oct 1953 at the age of 70, and it is believed that his son Rob carried on with the theatre until the television juggernaut caught up with him in the late 50’s. McLeish closed the theatre on 1st Jan, 1959.

The theatre continued under the exhibitors De S. Petro & S. Fava for a further two years running Italian language films. After this period the premises were rented out as a dance hall, which became famous as the birthplace of a Rock ‘n’ Roll band called The Blue Jays, who were running dances to good crowds twice a week. Marcus Herman legendary founder of Crest Records took the opportunity to record the band at the theatre resulting in a series of singles and EPs. – To quote Milesago: – The Blue Jays were already well established in Melbourne and one of the city’s leading dance groups. They formed in 1959, with the original lineup being Frankie Brent, Doug Stirling, Chris Lawson and Bobby Johnson. They cut a series of swinging instrumental singles and EPs for the Crest label, as well as a 1961 LP, “Twisting With The Blue Jays” and The Arthur Murray Twist Party Featuring The Blue Jays Big Dance Beat. Like so many Aussie bands, there was a regular turnover of personnel, and some of the members who passed through included Laurie Allen (later to be half of pop duo Bobby & Laurie), Johnny Cosgrove, Alan Easterbrook and Ray Houston. – The doors of the “now” NEWMARKET PICTURE THEATRE finally closed sometime during the middle 60’s and was ultimately demolished….Greg Lynch –

film commented about Paramount Theatre on Feb 17, 2019 at 4:57 pm

The Paramount Theatre Oakleigh – To complete the story – Ron Kitchen acquired the Paramount in 1946, and ran the theatre until 1966.

Tribute: Ron Kitchen was a builder by trade who came to own a theatre. During his time at the Paramount he installed CinemaScope & VistaVision & was regarded as a switched on Exhibitor & Showman. The Paramount advertised programs under the newspaper banner of “Suburban Theatres Tonight”. Ron’s close personal friends were industry based, such as the late Brian Casey (Universal Pictures) & the late Keith Milroy (British Empire Films), & this writer was very happy to call him friend. Ron had experienced severe personal tragedy, yet was always affable, and in addition, a much respected member of “The Society of Cinema Pioneers”. . “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures” through Peter Young purchased the building in 1966, and ran as a cinema, showcasing Greek product until 1971. The Paramount stood empty and was shuttered for many years, & then finally demolished in 2015 – VALE RON KITCHEN – Contributed by Greg Lynch –

film commented about Hoyts Rialto Kew on Feb 13, 2019 at 4:01 pm

For those who believe that old cinemas have souls, you could argue that there is much more to a theatre than just bricks and mortar. Should we consider the personalities of the owners & staff, along with the memories of a passing parade of countless movie fans, who over the years were cocooned in the mysterious darkness of the Rialto Theatre, while enjoying the transported screen images of time and place.

If memory permits the year is 1957 and Ken Neck (Hoyts Chief Engineer) sends this writer to The Rialto Theatre Kew, to take up the position of assistant to Bill Kerr (head projectionist). Up to this point I had been on the relief circuit, working at places such as The Lyceum & Athenaeum theatres in Melbourne City, and later at The Padua & Alhambra theatres in Bell Street Brunswick. The TV juggernaut had begun and Hollywood’s Golden Age was over. Broadcast television was free, except for the required Government TV Licence which was introduced in 1957, costing a whopping five pounds per year. For those in the cinema industry television was the enemy, which was to be bad mouthed at every opportunity, as we watched in desperation as attendance’s slipped away.

Despite the slippery slope we found ourselves travelling, there were many great movies screened at “The Rialto” during the 50’s. It was during this period that Hoyts created “The Regency Release” – This referred to movies screened at The Regent Theatre in the city. There would be a delay of, say two weeks into the season, and then selected suburban theatres like “The Rialto” could participate day & date with the city release. Such an occasion was the Warner Brothers movie “Sayanora” starring Marlon Brando & Red Buttons. A Regency release was a most prestigious engagement and one of the weapons Hoyts were using to entice people back to the cinema.

My arrival at “The Rialto” coincided with the installation of a much needed improved exhaust system in the projection booth, along with “Calder Arcs” to replace the previous generation of antique light sources. The projectors were long working C&W’s. The theatre was an island, a place where the staff existed in mortal fear of a visit from head-office, or even worse a new theatre manager. Such a person was Vernon Rawlings, fresh from the UK, who arrived with many strange ideas on theatre presentation. Traditionally the news-reel opened the show, but no, Mr Rawlings insisted that we run the news straight after the first feature, then close for interval – this caused a lot of anxiety in the projection booth. Managers came and went at “The Rialto” on a regular basic. One that I had a lot of affection for was Stanley (Hamlet) Henry. He came to us from Hoyts “New Theatre Albury”. An older well preserved gentlemen who had a habit of eloquently quoting Shakespeare at the drop of a hankie. Every week we received a screening list from Hoyts Program Director, Lou Somprou . A beautiful man who’s greatest sin was to book Liberace’s “Sincerely Yours” with Rock Around The Clock. This caused a riot at “The Rialto” as the entire theatre gathered in the front foyer during “Sincerely Yours” waiting for “Rock Around The Clock” to start after interval. I was to remind him of this with a smile on my face, many times during his life-time.

As mentioned a visit from head-office was treated with great apprehension. There were two gentlemen who were greatly feared, namely Joe Walker and Alan McDowell. Both were theatre supervisors of extreme efficiency. If you looked sideways you were out the door with a boot up the backside. The only reason I survived is that I answered to Ken Neck (The Chief Engineer) This wonderful man saved me a number of times from the wrath of Joe. For those who don’t know Joe Walker was the father of the late Ron Walker, the former Australian Grand Prix boss and co-founder of Melbourne’s Crown Casino. The cleaning lady at “The Rialto” (for the sake of description) over a long period was Mrs Monks, a hard working woman, whose husband was the manager of the famous Collins Street store of Hillier Chocolates, located inside Hoyts Regent Theatre. The Monks went on to purchase and run an old style double story boarding house in Burnett Street, St Kilda. This writer was their first customer. Bill Kerr the senior projectionist moved on and was replaced by Frank Johnson. Frank was an extremely capable man who was employed by Hoyts in the daytime to strip out doomed theatres, while at night he showed pictures at The Rialto". As the 50’s moved along theatres were closing because of television, almost on a monthly basis. Every week we expected word to arrive of our demise. Many beautiful theatres were closed during that dark period, and usually a petrol station sprung up in it’s place. Frank and myself were an interesting combination, because by this time I was repairing Hoyts Neon signs in the daytime. and assisting nightly in “The Rialto” projection booth.

Over the years many interesting people passed through The Rialto. Roy Ramsey for one. Roy was a re-leaving projectionist who was elevated to Chief Engineer with Hoyts. This position had been previously held by Ken Neck and Syd Emerson. Dingy Bell, (the Hoyts carrier) was a memorable personality whom I had the pleasure of working with on numerous occasions. Dingy was a regular visitor to “The Rialto” delivering cleaning supplies and helping where needed.

Channel Nine celebrity, Philip Brady was a regular picture goer at “The Rialto” One night the theatre staff were agog as Philip walked in with John Landy, and the Bob Dyer quiz king, Barry Jones. From memory they had come to see “The King & I” in CinemaScope 55, and It kept the staff talking for a week. The Rialto theatre survived till 1961, until the lights went out and the theatre fell dark in High Street. For me “The Rialto Theatre Kew” will always be a special place. A place where a young projectionist met, romanced and wedded the girl in the milk bar opposite, 58 years and two daughters past. Ken Neck, always my savior transferred me to Hoyts Palace Theatre Glenferrie, 9 months before the closure of “The Rialto”, and the next stage of a 65 year career in the entertainment business began.

Projectionists are now a dying breed. Digital projection has replaced the screening of film. This means the projectionist of the past is no longer required. Cinema managers are now trained to operate the equipment and program the hard-drives … Contributed by Greg Lynch –

film commented about Rialto Theatre on Dec 27, 2018 at 2:05 pm

BOX HILL PICTURES (1915) At The Recreation hall. Williams' Box Hill Pictures drew one of the best crowds ever in the Recreation hall last Saturday night. A splendid programme was shown, including the 6th series of ‘Lucille Love,’ a 30,000 feet star film that is being shown in sections of 2000 feet each Saturday. Though not as exciting as some other parts, it is a very nice portion, a side-splitting Keystone, ‘Between Showers, and other comedies kept the crowd in good humor, while a topical war-film gave some insight into the happenings in Europe. ‘Bully Boy’ was the idea a sketch artist has of the finish of the ‘War Devil, as he calls him, showing, amongst other interesting sketches, the Kaiser being swallowed up by a British bull dog, and the applause that followed showed that also suited the feelings of local residents. Next Saturday the 6th series of ‘Lucille Love’ is to be shown, along with other dramas, comedies, topical war gazettes, and pictures of interest, and to suit patrons who live up the line a longer programme will be shown, so that those who have to catch the train leaving Box-Hill at 11.05, will not have to wait any time on the station. In future the programme will commence at 8.15 and finish at 10.50PM. – An article featured in the Camberwell and Hawthorn Advertiser (Vic) Sat 16 Jan, 1915 (Page 6) titled BOX HILL PICTURES.

Note: Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery is a 1914 American action film serial directed by Francis Ford. It was the first serial by Universal. It was originally intended to be a short subject. The serial is now considered to be lost with only four episodes surviving. – Contributed by Greg Lynch –

film commented about Cinema on Dec 15, 2018 at 2:17 pm

GREG LYNCH SAYS…SILENT MOVIES COME TO STUART, NT, AUSTRALIA – Stuart, wide open frontier town, a thousand long miles from Darwin, and Adelaide in the south. Looking for new opportunities, South Australians Joe and Eileen Kilgariff arrived in 1927 with their four children. Joe was a builder by trade with a family background in hotel-keeping and an entrepreneurial passion for showing movies. Previous experience as a projectionist in Barmera SA had told him that movies were a growth business, and to make sure he had brought all his equipment with him. Almost immediately he set up shop and began showing silent movies in an old Iron shed that he called a cinema, located just across the road from “The Stuart Arms”. Meanwhile, Eileen in the months that followed had been studying the comings and goings of the hotel, and a decision was made to take over the lease. History confirms that Leonard Malvern Frances, and Reginald Valentine Naughton transferred the lease of “The Stuart Arms” to Eileen Elizabeth Kilgariff on the 8th November 1927.The Stuart Alms was located on the corner of Todd and Parsons Streets. Joe began to renovate, upgrade and extend the building. In 1929 Steve Kilgariff joined his brother Joe and moved his family to Stuart in an attempt to escape a major slump in the South Australia building industry. The family arrived with great expectations on the new Ghan train. Bernie, Steve’s son was commandeered as a bell ringer to promote Joe’s cinema business. On a Saturday night sometime back in the late 20’s it probably sounded like this, “Tonight, Tonight, Electric Pictures here Tonight” as a young Bernie marched up and down Parsons Street ringing his bell and calling out on the top of his voice. In later life he was to tell stories of how this was his introduction to public speaking, and how he would anxiously wait for the weekly episode of the serial to arrive on the Ghan. Usually made up of 12 episodes, patrons took their serial very seriously. Joe Kilgariff pioneered the exhibition of silent moving pictures in the Alice, and It is assumed that this continued until the arrival of sound three years later. Eileen’s sister, Mona Minahan arrived in 1932 and began working in the family business at the Stuart Arms Hotel. Mona became the Territory’s first bar maid and went on to become a legendary Alice identity. For the Kilgariff family, following the trail of the iron rail to Stuart began the formation of a dynasty that would see them building their way across the length and breadth of the Northern Territory. This was in places as diverse as Daly River, Barrow Creek, Tennant Creek, Winnecke, Aileron and The Granites. It wasn’t until 1 August 1933 that the township and name of Stuart was officially changed and gazetted as Alice Springs.

NB: Contrary to legend there are no records of any cinema screenings at “The Stuart Arms”. There are no known photographs of Joe Kilgariff’s cinema, which was located opposite “The Stuart Arms”. The information in the opening paragraph comes from the published recollections & public interviews of Bernard Francis Kilgariff AM, who was a successful Australian politician and a founding member of the Country Liberal Party. Bernie Kilgariff died at the age of 86, on 13 April 2010 …

film commented about Port Hedland Picture Gardens on Nov 7, 2018 at 10:25 pm

TIME LINE – 1936 – THE OPENING OF THE PORT HEDLAND PICTURE GARDENS on Boxing night (1936) was the main attraction to the town during the holidays and drew a large number of country visitors. In cool open air gardens patrons sat in comfortable deck chairs and enjoyed Port Hedland’s first talkies. Judging by the enthusiasm shown by all, the talkies promise to be a great asset to the town – Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA) – Wed 6 Jan 1937

1939 – CHILDREN’S XMAS ENTERTAINMENT at the Port Hedland Picture Gardens by the courtesy of Mr. C. Bayman. who placed bis Picture Garden at the disposal of the Parents and Citizens' ‘Association. The event of the year for the children took place on December 23. when Santa Claus paid his annual visit to Port Hedland. A gaily decorated tree was erected with scores of exciting parcels. About a hundred children were present who each received a gift and were then regaled with cool drinks. The children and general public then enjoyed an excellent program of pictures as the guests of Mr. Bayman. – Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA) – Fri 6 Jan 1939

1939 – THE PICTURE GARDENS DEMOLISHED – A DISASTROUS HURRICANE STRUCK THE TOWNSHIP on January ll, 1939 causing damage estimated at over £75,000. No lives were lost as a result of the storm, however three houses and the railway Goods Shed were washed out to sea and a channel was cut by seawater from Airey Point to the back of the Post office. Nineteen kilometers of road and railway, including the causeway, were washed away. Several properties including a store, garage AND THE PICTURE GARDENS WERE DEMOLISHED BY THE WIND, and a number of houses were un-roofed. Western Mail Perth, WA : Thu 26 Jan 1939.

1941 – MR BAYMAN’S PICTURE GARDENS WERE A TOTAL WRECK and flying sheets of iron have done a great deal of damage. Many of the trees that have been struggling for existence since the blow two years ago are up rooted and in every case badly damaged. The rain was terrific, sixteen inches falling during the twenty-four hours, so against the damage done to roads and houses can be set a well replenished water supply. All the tanks overflowing for hours. – Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA) – Thu 13 Mar 1941

1952 – FACE LIFT FOR THE PICTURE GARDENS – After what must have seemed a vain quest, the proprietors of the local picture gardens have finally obtained the necessary labour to give the gardens a “face lift.” Judging by the first day’s labour the gardens will soon be about the brightest spot in the town – Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA) – Thus 8 May 1952 – Contributed by Greg Lynch –

film commented about Starline Drive-In on Aug 14, 2018 at 10:01 pm

Greg Lynch says : Alice Springs is a town almost dead center of Australia. Hot with very little rain it was the ideal spot to build a drive in theatre. To tell the story of The Pioneer Drive In Theatre one has to relate the legend of Snow Kenna, Picture Show Man. Leslie Joseph (Snow) Kenna began showing silent movies in the old Welfare Hall during 1934 together with Bill Burton. This continued until well known business identity Ly Underdown recognizing the possibility of this modern entertainment erected his Capitol Open Air Theatre, into which he installed Snow Kenna, Bill Burton and their projection plant. Later Bill Burton was to move on to Tennant Creek and open his own theatre. In 1939 Snow decided to build his own theatre. By now his bank balance was such that he was able to purchase a block of land in Parsons Street, where he was to fulfill the life long dream of running his own cinema. Snow named it “ The Pioneer Open Air Theatre.” The new theatre opened to excellent box office in 1942. Then in 28th January 1965, and with much foresight, Snow opened the Pioneer Drive In Theatre with the Warner Bros production of “The Sundowners”. The drive in theatre was located on a large block south of town on the Stuart Hwy. This had the unfortunate result of reducing attendance’s at his Pioneer open air, as picture goers changed their habits in favor of watching movies in the family car. Seven months after the opening of the drive in, Snow Kenna dies at the age of 68 (husband of Rose & father of John), leaving his family to carry on. In 1974 there was a name change from Pioneer to the Starline Drive In. Come 1983 and Rose Kenna sells both theatres to Greater Union Theatres, who run the open air till 1984, and the drive-in until 1988. On July 15, 2013, David Pearce wrote in The Film Journal retrospectively “On Sunday, Nov. 28, 1988, only two cars turned up for a screening of the double bill “Masquerade” and “A New Life”. The operator sent the two cars home, locked up the site, and closed the drive-in. Greater Union left the theatre as they found it, complete with projection plant rusting in the desert air. That would appear to have been the end of the story, but a local lobby group formed, Citizens for Outdoor Cinema in Alice Springs. They wanted the cinema to re-open. By the year 2000, they had managed to get the property shortlisted for a heritage order and finally earned one in 2005. What was on their side was the screen. This was a rare example of a white painted concrete screen for a drive-in. As weeds grew through the original parking area, the screen remained in pretty good condition. In 2011, the site was delisted as a heritage site and a developer announced plans to demolish the screen. The Citizens for Outdoor Cinema were told that they would have to raise A$60,000 to remove and relocate the old concrete screen. That never happened and in June 2013 (Queens Birthday Weekend) almost 25 years after the last screening, the Pioneer Drive-In finally died as the screen crashed down.“ end quote -The Pioneer Drive-In screen had been the last one standing in the Northern Territory – Leslie Joseph (Snow) Kenna, dedication – He was one of the financiers of the Alice Springs Memorial Club and was a member of the Central Australian Racing Club committee. A park is dedicated to the memory of Snow Kenna at the end of the footbridge where he originally showed films in the old Welfare Hall – Snow Kenna, Picture Show Man. This writer is indebted to local Tennant Creek identity & historian, Pam Hodges for her contribution to this article – Go to – for Tennant Creekers. http://fortennantcreekers.com/places/buildings/picture-theatres. Acknowledgement: David Pearce of "The Film Journal” –

film commented about Old Welfare Hall on May 10, 2018 at 5:55 pm

To answer David Coppocks questions regarding the site of The Welfare Hall & usage – Greg Lynch says: – The Northern Territory was isolated by distance. Quite simply : “The Welfare hall was built for the Welfare of the community”, it was a place for social meetings, with sporting venues nearby. Behind the Welfare Hall, as featured in the panorama picture is the Todd River. Access is usually by formed tracks – The Mail (Adelaide), SA : Saturday 25 April 1936 writes: – “Recreation Reserve For Alice Springs” – Six years ago (1930) a number of Alice Springs citizens formed a welfare association to build a hall and provide a sports grounds for the people. About £800 has been raised in that period, and the association has erected a hall, two tennis courts, and cricket grounds. A difficulty has been that the association has had no fixed tenure of the land or any legal ownership of it. but that has now been remedied to some extent by the Commonwealth Government. The area has been gazetted as a recreation reserve, but the Minister must appoint the trustees. At a public meeting on April 17 the following were recommended for appointment:— Rev. H. Griffiths (Methodist Inland Missioner), Messrs. D. P. Adamson – Postmaster G. Glass (Storekeeper). B. N. Webb – (Solicitor), and P. Windle (Garage proprietor). It has been suggested that the Alice Springs branch of the Returned Soldiers' League, which has no hall of its own, should use the underneath portion of the hall for club rooms…..Acknowledgement Pam Hodges Tennant Creek Historian

film commented about Old Welfare Hall on May 8, 2018 at 8:56 pm

Historic Meeting at The Welfare Hall in 1937 DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERN TERRITORY. ALICE SPRINGS A representative gathering in the Welfare Hall, Alice Springs, on Friday night April 30, heard Mr. Mac Alister Blain, Member for the Northern Territory of what has become known as “The Payne Commission”. Mr. Blain informed his audience that Messrs W. L. Payne (chairman), W. M. McLean (Secretary) and J. W. Fletcher hoped to be able to lay down a plan of campaign to be followed in the economical development of the Northern Territory for the next twenty-five or thirty years. Whilst the main purpose of the committee was to give particular attention to pastoral problems and transport difficulties. tbe Speaker pointed out that certain aspects of mineral production will be considered….Townsville Daily Bulletin, Qld – Mon 10 May 1937 –

film commented about Warrego Drive-In on Apr 26, 2018 at 9:51 pm

Greg Lynch says – “The Warrego Drive In Theatre” operated between 1979/1984. – In 1979 Bob Burton (owner of The Tennant Drive In) purchased an open-air walk-in theatre built by Jim Hunt on the Warrego mine site. The Warrego Mine (copper-bismuth-gold) is located just off Warrego Road in the centre of the Northern Territory, situated about 840km south-southeast of Darwin). Jim Hunt had built an open-air walk-in theatre on the mine site screening one night a week, but was struggling to make it pay because of the transport costs in freighting film. Bob Burton moved in and developed a 60 car drive-in theatre with individual car window speakers, plus a covered seated area. When able costs were saved by switching films between Tennant Creek and Warrego. As part of the deal Jim Hunt stayed on as projectionist (Fred McKinley later replaced him). The Warrego Drive In was equipped with Cummings and Wilson projectors (C&W), Raycophone (model CP10) soundheads with Westrex carbon-arc lamphouses. Ann Wilson recently published – “Great picture theatre at Warrego. The speakers were originally on the side of the projection box and you could hear most of the movie throughout Warrego. Great news when we actually got the speakers for the cars installed. Sorry to say I was one of the people that forgot to put the speaker back and ripped it out. The night the projection box caught fire was catastrophic, we were out of movies for a few weeks”. During the early 80’s video stores opened nearby in Tennant Creek, this along with television caused a major drop in the available picture going public. The Warrego Drive-In closed in 1984. Video Tape, Television and a changing social environment had reduced attendances dramatically … Bob sold up, along with his drive in theatre at Tennant Creek. (the era had finished and the screens were dark) and he eventually moved to Darwin. The Warrego mine commenced in the late 1950’s and operated as a mine until late 1989. – This writer is indebted to local Tennant Creek identity & historian, Pam Hodges for her contribution to the history of “The Warrego Drive In Theatre” – Visit Pam Hodges C/– http://fortennantcreekers.com/picture-theatres/

film commented about Capitol Theatre on Apr 23, 2018 at 5:57 pm

The Centralian Advocate Fri 12 Jun 1953, reports “£2,000 CAPITOL THEATRE FIRE” – The projection room at “The Capitol Theatre” was gutted by fire on Wednesday afternoon and the projector and other equipment was ruined. It is estimated that more than £2,000 worth of damage was done before the brigade had the fierce blaze under control

film commented about Garfield Picture Theatre on Apr 15, 2018 at 1:40 pm

Greg Lynch says – The Garfield Picture Theatre is a significant Heritage Building – Here is an expert opinion given prior to refurbishment by Graeme Butler & Associates dated 1996 & published on line by the Cardinia Shire – Themes: Railway townships & Picture theatres – The Garfield Picture Theatre, built between 1924 & 1925 for a Mr. Donohue, is significant to the Cardinia Shire as an unusually substantial country cinema dating from the Australia-wide boom in cinema building in that decade. It is significant as one of the few picture theatre buildings remaining in the shire. The Garfield Theatre was of historical significance as the first supplier of electric power to the town. The building has significance as a major element in the Garfield commercial street scape which dates predominantly from the 1920s era. It is significant, too, for its near original exterior with the old name on the facade, although now used as an antique shop. This is a large well-preserved and gabled red brick theatre, with a spartan but close to original interior. The words `Garfield Picture Theatre' are in large raised cement letters on the front of the building. The external form is typically gabled with a piered and parapeted cement and brick (over painted) foyer and office wing at the front; this is composed in a tripartite form, with a raised panel at the centre and capped piers at the sides. A deep cantilever street verandah extends from the front, with an ovolo molded and paneled fascia. The front door and window openings appear to be as original and a red brick chimney is a practical touch to one of the rooms. Behind is the high gabled of the auditorium with its cemented capping and some cemented moldings over a vent in the gable-end. The roof is clad with corrugated iron. Inside the roof is unlined with steel-trusses exposed. Some plaster detailing exists around the proscenium and other parts of the interior. The building is externally near original except for the painted brickwork…This place/object may be included in the Victorian Heritage Register pursuant to the Heritage Act 1995. Check the Victorian Heritage Database, selecting ‘Heritage Victoria’ as the place data owner. For further details about Heritage Overlay places, Heritage Study/Consultant Cardinia – Cardinia Shire Heritage Study 1996, Graeme Butler & Associates, 1996.