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somewhat dumbfounded Mr Eric Yeomans was presented, to
the unrestrained merriment of the audience, a bouquet of flow-
ers, compliments of the Universal Film Company.
The Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Mr Morice
Collier. For the first week, Miss Sylvia McLeod was specially
engaged, on secondment from the Auditorium (Metro) Collins
Street, to perform Ave Maria as a prologue.
The identity of the inaugural Westgarth Theatre projec-
tionist is uncertain. The earliest documented reference, dated
12 November 1924, names Mr J Sompereau as projectionist.
Former employee, Mr Jack Nicholls, recalled that Jack
Sompereau and Bill Horan, like John Seccull, were residents
of Barry Street. Mr Nicholls was also able to confirm the pres-
ence of Jack Sompereau as projectonist in 1922. The follow-
ing list of employees and their positions in 1922 was kindly
provided by him: Decorative plaster work and concealed lighting form an
elaborate proscenium.
Ushers: Mr Gordon Cleeland and Mr Fred Hocking Photo: Kevin Adams.
Ticket Sellers: Mrs Jo Coxhead and Mr Ted Baggott
Cleaners: Mrs Lomas, Mr Eddie Foster and later uitous public health inspectors of the time were not oblivious
Mr Jack Nicholls. to the gala opening either.
The application to register the Westgarth Theatre as a pub-
According to Mr Nicholls, Mr Horan was never too proud lic building was dated 22 June 1922, eight months subsequent
to serve as ‘unofficial baby minder’ during evening sessions. to its opening!
Mr Horan’s daughter, Alma, would later marry future manag-
er of the Westgarth Theatre, Mr Jack Baggott. The Roaring Twenties
Mr Nicholls commenced his cleaning duties at the age of From the early 1920s, films were secreened by Mr W E and
13 and became Bio Assistant at the age of 15. He left the Mr W H Edmonds at the Preston Shire Hall on High Street.
Westgarth in 1928 and followed Son Yeomans to his other The success of this venture encouraged them to create the Star
venues, the Broadway (Elwood), the Grand (Footscray) and Theatre in High Street, Preston, opposite the Town Hall.
the Sun (Yarraville). Mr Nicholls recalled that Son Yeomans Screening commenced at the Star on Thursday 28 September
regularly frequented the Greenroom Club. Mr Nicholls 1922 with The Mark of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks.
described Yeomans as a “terrific bloke” whose chain-smoking A memorable early screening at the Westgarth Theatre was
inevitably lead to his demise. the movie Blood and Sand starring Rudolph Valentino in
Prices for the opening night, also for Saturdays and January 1923. Geo Dummett appeared live to sing the
Holidays were: Circle 2/2, Stalls 10d. Weeknight prices were: Torreador Song from Carmen and You Gave Me Your Heart,
Front Circle 2/-, Back Circle 1/6, Stalls 10d, Children 4d. A the latter specially written for Blood and Sand.
box plan of the theatre was maintained at Mr Yeomans’ near- In a 1924 interview with Everyones, Mr Yeomans stated
by shop. Fox, Metro and Paramount films would all be shown that good pictures and pleasing music had proved a more
at the Westgarth. potent force than vaudeville or other live entertainment at the
On a less auspicious note, the Public Health Department Westgarth during its early years. Westgarth’s musical director,
promptly served notice of required improvements to be com- Professor Jonathon Morton, was praised by Mr Yeomans for
plied with by 5 November 1921 in order to avoid prosecution. his contribution. However, Mr Yeomans did cite two notewor-
This was followed by further requests concerning ventilation thy exceptions to this general rule. The live appearance one
to be implemented by 30 December 1921. Obviously the ubiq- Saturday evening of one Melbourne’s first beauty contest win-
ners, Mrs Tyrrel, saw hundreds of disappointed spectators
Cinemeccanica projectors with Strong Xenon lamphouses turned away from a full Westgarth Theatre. Subsequent to this,
are currently used. Photo: Adrian Maiolla. Baby Pat, the Empire Baby Winner also proved a great draw-
card.
Mr Yeomans was a great proponent of advertising. Lobby
displays at the Westgarth were frequently arranged. Several
twenty-four sheet boards throughout the locality and Mr
Yeomans’ own house organ were also utilised as promotional
devices.
Cinema was thriving. The bar was again raised with the
opening of the Thornbury Regent on 1 August 1925. The old
Thornbury Theatre was altered to become a business premis-
es. Mr Yeomans pleaded guilty to overcrowding of the
Westgarth on 25 November 1925 when patrons were found
standing in the rear cross aisle of the stalls and more than thir-
ty were seated in portable chairs during the final screening of
the Australian film Jewelled Nights. A contrite Mr Yeomans
explained “hundreds were turned away and in a moment of

CINEMARECORD Autumn 2001 13