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Taken on: July 17, 2023

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Town Hall Entertainment Centre 62 Main Street, Stawell, VIC 3380

1955 & CinemaScope comes to Stawell.

On the 25th August 1955, Stawell became the first town in the Wimmera to bring CinemaScope Movies to its film goers when the outstanding film ‘The Robe” was screened. ‘The Robe’ was about the crucifixion of Jesus.

The equipment necessary for CinemaScope was installed at a very great expense and to enable Management to meet these costs, admission charges were raised slightly. The new admission charges that applied from August 25th 1955 were as follows;

Dress Circle; Adults 4/- Children 2/-
Back Stalls; Adults 3/- Children 1/6
Centre Stalls; Adults 2/6 Children 1/3
Front Stalls; Adults 1/6 Children 1/-

The official introduction of the new CinemaScope screen was performed by the Mayor of the day, Cr. Hugo Jochen Percival Evans. The work of the projectionist Mr. Ted Mills was praised and his efficiency of operation made for a very successful night.

A large party of official guests were entertained at supper in the Borough Chambers and various toasts were honoured - Stawell Progress Society

Kevin Brown on Facebook
My sister, future brother-in-law and myself all volunteered selling tickets and ushering at the movies in the Town Hall for the Stawell Progress Society during that time.

Max Sheffield on Facebook I went to that showing of The Robe …the theatre was full that night ….Mr Mills would have been the projectionist and probably Mr Dixon would have been the usher.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -