Page 14 - untitled
P. 14

NEW YEAR.S EVE 1938                                                            by Rod Cook



            Looking through 'The Herald' for New Years Eve 1'938, It was lnteresting to  note what our theatres had on  offer for the
            population  of Melbourne to welcome Tn  1939.

            As it was a Saturday night,  most theatres  ran  the regular weekend program  in the evening,  but for those  patrons who
            wanted some special  entertainment there was more!      ·

            Hoyts Regent Theatre in the city had an  entirely separate show commencing  at 1·1 pm  (following the conclusion of
           "TheAdventures of Robin Hood'').  For bargain  prices of 1/-,  1/6 and 21- plus tax you  could see the following:

            - Daniel Mas anc!  the· Regent Orpheums in novel musical arrangements

            - ON STAGE    Ceiebrtty stars  Billy Nelson  and Irene Knight,  (billecf as  'Amenca's foremost  comedy  entertainers'),
                           Freddie Fox and  Sa'liy Evans,  (London's rhythmic  dance stars)

            -ON SCREEN    Walt Disney's latest technioolor cartoon,  Silly Symphony etc., et·~-
            Patrons were advised that tttey could book for both  the 7.45 and 11  pm  performances.

            Not to be outc.'lone,  Greater Union's State Theatre presented "Dad & Dave Come To Town''  at 7.45  pm,  PLUS at no
            extra charge, 'as a personal gesture of goodwiY  by the management', a complete band show to take patrons into 1939.

            The other maJor city thet~tre, the Capito l had extra entertainment for no  extra  char~~e ~o supplement "Spawn  Of  The
            North" and "Meet The Gins",  Presumably  lsador Goodman and His Orchestra and Horace Weber at the organ were
            responsible for the post film  entertainment as no specific attractions were  advertised.
            Hoyts  Suburban Theatres had special New Year's  Eve  entertainment following the conclusion  of the regular  program  at
            10.45 pm.  It would appear that this was a bonus rather than a separate program  you had to pay extra for. The follow·
            ing theanes  were  involved:

            Victory St.  Kilda (Vaudeville  acts,  'superlative'  screen entertainment,  novelties & streamers!  Prices  1/1 , 1/7%, and 2/2),
            New Malvern Theatre             Regent,  South  Yarra           NE!W Windsor Theatre
            Padua BrunsWick                 New GlenhLlrltiY                REmown  ElsternWick
            6arkly Footscray                Grand Coburg                    Hampton  Theatre
            Palace Glenferrie               Regent Thorhbury                Waratah Ascot Vale
            Regent Fitzroy                  Cinema Richmond                 Edip$e  Port Melbourne
            Circle Preston                  Circle Essendon                 Brighton Theatre
            Merri North  Fitzroy            ivanhoe Theatre                 RElgent Gardiner
            Williamstown Theatre            Park Albert Park {one Week  after opening)

            Apart from the Victory st. Kilda, the entertainment was not specific for each  theatm.  The large display ad (about  1/8 of
            a page) did give some hint.
            "A  wondrous night of revelry and f/Jn!  Streamers, {Jaf/oons, noise-makers~ noveltf~~s and surprises unlimited!  Stage
            bands!  Ballets!  Comedians!  Variety Acts!  Specially selected screen entertainment- all crammed inlo Mighty New
            Year's Eve Revels!  Join in the chorus of Auld Lang Syne as 1939 dawnsJ  Bring the family'~

            There was also the announcement at each theatre of a valuable new year  hamper containing the following:
                   Pair of Escapade Vitabloom  Hostery by Prestige      A Jack: O'Lantern  shirt
                   Bottle of Hardy's  Timjara Manhattan  Cocktail       Bottle 10f Lanoma Gin
                   Box of Faulding's  ExqUisite Lavender                Box of MilKy Way sweets
                   Tin  of Swallow and  Ariel's  Christmas P:udding     Seagull. swimsuit
                   Package of Black and White Cigarettes                Tie fro111  Fred  Hesse
                   Bottle of Milne's Whisky                             Toys from Tim  the Toyman
                   Delicious  Chicken  from  'The Maypole'              Box of Ideal Assorted  Shortbread
                   Bottle  of Atkin's Quinine Tonic Wine

            Tcr have a chance of ail of this, you  had to be at the New Year's Eve showl
            The independent suburban theatres  did  not advertise any special  programs in  'ThE!  Herald', but I am sure that most
            probably  had something  special for their patrons that was advertised locally.  Altho1UQh  not advertiSed  as  a new year's
            eve  attraction, the Palajs St Kilda had on  sjag~; 'The Fairy of the Christmas Tree'.  The ad boasted that you  could see
            'Ice  Skaters  gliding across the lake,  sKiers gliding down the Mountain Slopes!  El<qulsite  scenery, brilliant lights and
            gay coloursl'  It appears that this  needed every inch  of the' stage!
            Unfortunately such  frivolity  of New Year's Eve  came to a halt for some years with World Wa,r 2  being declared in 1939.
                                                          14
   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16