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32. RESERVOIR PALAIS/PLAZA/CINEMA NORTH by David Kilderry

Reservoir is a northern suburb of Melbourne situated 11 kms from the CBD. A large suburb in the City of
Darebin the majority of housing and industry in the area was constructed in the 20 years after WWII. Between
the wars however it was a bustling little centre with its three main thoroughfares Broadway, Edwards St. and
Epping Rd. (High St.) intersecting at Reservoir train station.

In March 1928 former auction rooms at Epping Rd. (later High St.) advertised motion pictures for the first time.
On either side of the entrance to the Palais were two former shops, one of which housed the projection equip-
ment, the other was used as a ticket box. Pictures were shown twice a week in 1928. A typical programme of
the time was "Code of the West" and "Headlines" which screened on 28th April, 1928.

By 1933 the depression had taken its toll and Palais pictures became Palais De Dance. Around this time the
building was often referred to as the Public Hall, being used for films, dances and other social events. The
Health Department of Victoria closed the Palais on 7 August 1935. On 14 December the same year, the Health
Department inspector reported films being screened in a condemned building. Re-opening was approved in
June 1936 and seating was reduced from over 500 to 450. It should be noted that the building was of a
rudimentary design with unlined tin roof and exterior toilets on either side at the rear (screen end) of the
building.

On 17 July 1943 Mr. A. Harwood took over control from R. Mathison and the name was changed from Palais to
Plaza. In 1946 alterations to the interior took place which included the addition of seats, taking the total to 540
all on one level. A further 82 seats were added in 1947 and heating in 1948. In 1954 after complaints of over-
crowding, the Health Dept. limited seating to 499 primarily because there were no inside toilet facilities. By this
time with the population of the area growing rapidly, limited seating and a roof that drowned out the sound
every time it rained, it became apparent a new theatre was required.

Consolidated Theatres, who were now in control, erected an entirely new auditorium in stadium style next to
the existing Plaza in 1955. The former Plaza was remodelled into a spacious foyer with indoor toilets. Open-
ing on 26 May 1955 the interior design was described as revolutionary, a modern conception combining the
ultimate in comfort and motion picture entertainment. The programme consisted of the "Student Prince" in
Cinemascope, plus selected featurettes. In addition to its modern single level seating of 892 the theatre
consisted of backlit panels along the walls and a plain wide proscenium.

This theatre was one of the first built with cinemascope presentations in mind. The projection equipment was
Gaumont Kalee. Deaf aids were available for the hearing impaired and a crying room was provided at the rear.
The theatre was fully airconditioned.

During the late 1950's and 1960's the Plaza withstood the introduction of T.V. and the growth of the Drive-Ins,
five of which were within 10 mins drive! All five hardtop cinemas in nearby Preston had closed by 1965. By
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1968 control had passed through Victoria Theatres to Village Drive-Ins and was now called Cinema North. In
1970 capacity was reduced to 774.

In 1975 stage alterations took place to allow the installation of a Christie organ by the Theatre Organ Society.
Regular Sunday concerts were performed by many organists over the years. Around this time the theatre did
very well in school holiday periods. Often the manager placed the house-full sign on front of a queue that went
a block along High St. Popular films screened at these school holiday times included "Heidi", "Hugo The
Hippo" and "Mad Mad Mad Adventures In Russia". In 1977 average daily attendances were: Monday 72
patrons, Tues 87, Wed 116, Thurs 84, Fri 122, Sat early 71 , Sat late 185, no screenings on Sunday.

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During 1981 another auditorium was added at the rear of the foyer (old cinema). To enable this to occur the
male toilets were rebuilt one level underground. The new theatre was named the Oriental and had a capacity
of 241 . The screen 'floated' with no curtains or masking. Widescreen (non-anamorphic) and cinemascope
being projected at the same ratio. Large red lanterns decorated the interior. Projection was with Kalee 21
projector with Xenon light source and a Christie platter system.

Capacity of the main auditorium at this time was 730 and was now called the Merion. The 1950's style foyer
had given way to Mod '70's complete with mirror walls and bean bags. The snack bar was now walk-through
self serve. During this period Mr. A. Ketly was running what was no advertised under the Village banner and
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alternatively called Cinema North Centre or Village Reservoir. With 3 of the Drive-Ins in the area closed,
business in the mid 1980's was steady however things were about to change.
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