Page 18 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

45. The Melton Twin Cinema/The Melton Cinemas by Gerry Kennedy

Architect: Mr. Jacobi, Builder:Various Sub-contractors
Owner: Mr. Sondhi (originally)/J. Spurling
Opened: December 1982, Tripled 7 December 1995

The Melton Twin Cinema is situated in McKenzie St. at the corner of Alexandra St. Melton is an outer western
suburb with a population of 32,000. The cinema is typical of those built in the 1980's when economy in design
and operation were the driving forces in decision making. The cinema is situated in a commercial style of
building which is shared with a six court squash centre, professional offices and an ice cream parlour. From the
outside the building resembles a two storey office block.

A Mr. Sondhi built the complex and operated the theatres from December 1982 until June 1983. After a period
of darkness the cinema was reopened in August, 1983 by David Wayside's company, Melbourne Independent
Cinemas Pty. Ltd. He subsequently moved interstate to pursue other business interests and appointed Margaret
Anderson as Manager. David Wayside has been responsible for the latest alterations and extensions to the
Cinemas and continues to program the films.

The Melton Twin Cinemas were built with some distinctive design features which included double decked
auditoriums (one directly above the other), periscope projection, and shared facilities with a squash centre.

Periscope Projection System at Melton

Upon entering the downstairs foyer space a ticket office is situated on the left hand side adjacent to a candy
counter. Bookings for the squash centre are also handled at the office. An entrance to the Ice Cream Parlour is
on the right hand side of the foyer. Wide corridors at ground and first floor levels provide both assembly
spaces, and separate the cinema and squash court components of the building. The cinemas are situated on
the left hand side of the building. A common staircase services all upstairs areas of the entertainment complex.

Cinema 1 (upstairs) seats 330 and is decorated with beige coloured walls and gold screen curtains. This
cinema is entered from the right hand side, half way down the auditorium and contains an unusual sunken,
cross aisle. David Wayside increased the angle on the sloped floor to improve vision lines. The fact that seats
have not been installed immediately in front of the projection booth, coupled with the screen height, and a low
suspended ceiling indicates that problems still exist with sight lines. House lighting is provided by pendants
suspended from the ceiling which apparently have taken the place of the continuous, royal blue, perspex
panels. These wall mounted panels were lit with fluorescent tubes. Grey carpeting completes the decor.