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CINEMA ARCHEOLOGY:

The Richmond VS The Richmond

THEATRE CINEMA

Unearthing a “lost” treasure:

By Ron Lambert as told to Brian Miller

Mr. Ron Lambert is a keen historian of old cinemas and theatres. He has long pondered the history of a tall
building which once stood on Bridge Road in the inner Melbourne suburb of Richmond. Now with the help of theatre
historian Les Tod, and the assistance of both Brian Miller and the Richmond Historical Society - its fascinating story
has at last come to light.

ver the years there has been performed the opening ceremony, and appropriate word.)
some confusion among theatre complimented the proprietors on their “The exterior of the building is,
Ohistorians between the enterprise and expressed the hope that from an architectural point of view, a
Richmond Theatre and Hoyts well-merited reward would attend decided acquisition to the district. The
Richmond Cinema, with most, if not their efforts. interior is also up to expectations, the
all enthusiasts believing that there was The “Richmond Australian” visitor, on first entering, being struck
only one building involved. The fact newspaper, which covered the with its spacious, lofty and light
that the Richmond Theatre appears to opening, also said that “the spacious appearance and the comfortable
have ceased screening not long after building was thronged with a seating accommodation provided in
the Richmond Cinema opened has representative gathering and the both gallery and auditorium. No matter
added to the confusion. general verdict, after two and a half in what part of the house one sits, the
The Richmond Theatre was hours entertainment, was – ‘Splendid’. view is clear and uninterrupted. Wide
located at 339-345 Bridge Road, on “The building has an imposing passageways and staircase afford easy
the northeast corner of Gleadell Street appearance, its massive front and means of ingress and exit, without
and east of the Richmond Town Hall. ornamental embellishments putting the crushing or crowding, and the
The Richmond Cinema, more adjoining Town Hall to shame, as it ventilation of the building has been
frequently advertised as The Cinema, were, and is the theme of admiration arranged on a plan to secure coolness
Richmond, was at 313 Bridge Road for the numerous passers along Bridge during the summer and an even
and west of the Town Hall. Road, -one of the most important temperature during the winter.
March 29th 1912 saw the opening thoroughfares around Melbourne.” Everything has been arranged for the
of the 1200 seat Richmond Theatre (Author’s note: the building did comfort and convenience of patrons.”
which was constructed for not adjoin the Town Hall, as the
Amalgamated Pictures with F.G. Richmond Post Office and Gleadell
Richardson as architect. Minister for Street itself were in between.
Customs (Hon. F.G. Tudor, MP) “Nearby” would have been a more

Photo: Les Tod Collection

12 2002 CINEMARECORD