Hoyts Greensborough

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ASHRIL CINEMA 25 Main Street GREENSBOROUGH - Previously the Victory - later Village / Hoyts operated cinemas from this address.

PHOTO - LINDY FAULKS

In 1949, Lou Riley leased the theatre situated at 25 Main Street, Greensborough, and operated it quite successfully for many years. In 1951, the theatre known as the Victory, was showing ‘Stage Fright’ with Jane Wyman and Richard Todd – a 1950 British thriller. The Age 13 July, 1951 page 12-13.

During the 1950s, Drive In movies began to appear, along with the introduction of television. However, despite that, during the 1950s and 1960s the theatre was still well attended. In 1956, the building (known as Victory Theatre) was advertised to be sold by tender – but ‘no tender necessarily accepted’.

Continued - Extract Greensborough Historical Society Newsletter - On 13 May, 1958, Lou Riley purchased the building from the Masonic Lodge for £10,000, and in 1961, refurbished the theatre to include the new cinema technology of CinemaScope. Lou used seating and some fittings from the Regal Theatre in Hartwell which had closed earlier. Also at this time, the name of the theatre was changed to ‘Ashril Cinema (From an article written by Jillian Riley – Lou’s daughter) .

CAARP (Cinema and Audience Research Project) lists L.A. Riley as the exhibitor from 1949 to 1967, and lists Pennell & Bouncer as Manager and Exhibitor of Ashril Cinema from 1968 to 1974. By June 1972, at the request of Mr Peter Pennell – leasee and manager of the Ashril Cinema, a survey was conducted to see if there was sufficient financial support to form a public company to take over the business of the theatre. The lease was due to expire in September 1972, and Mr Pennell had arranged to advertise his equipment for sale in July or August. (Community News – 26 June, 1972 p1, p15. Edition No. 4/72)

Closed # Unfortunately, the cinema closed. Around October / November 1978, a new ‘Twin’ Cinema was built in Greensborough. This was quite unusual as both Village and Hoyts Cinemas operated from the same area - having one screen each. At one end of the counter you could purchase Hoyts tickets, whilst at the other end you could purchase Village tickets. The cinemas were located off ‘The Circuit’ with the entrance via the car park and the newly built Greensborough Plaza adjoining the cinemas.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -