Page 7 - CR31R.pdf

central entrance with a rental shop on
either side. Four pairs of entrance
doors were set back 3.0 m (9’) from
the street line. The foyer included left
and right hand ticket boxes, rest rooms
and a grand split circular staircase to
the dress circle foyer. To the left of
the central entrance to the stalls was
the access to a large crying room, a
popular design feature of the day.
Here mothers could take babies and
prams into this sound proof room and
view the films through thick glass.
The spacious upstairs foyer, which
was built under the rake of the dress
circle, contained large storage areas,
the manager’s office and toilets (the Royal Stuart Hunting Tartan carpet were partially hidden by the sloping
entrances to which were through (imported from Scotland) which walls. Staff dressing rooms were located
corridors built into the left and right comprised two tones of blue with on the landings of these staircases.
bow frontages of the building). stripes of ochre, red and black. This Apart from the acoustic benefit of
The theatre was built in solid brick carpet was used on the twin staircases, the interior design, large void areas
and the unusual double bowed facade the dress circle foyer and throughout were created around the building,
used the bricks as a design feature. the dress circle itself. which assisted in temperature
Alternate deep bands of intermingled Large metal framed doors led from insulation and provided space for the
plain and Rippletex brickwork in the circle foyer to the roof garden extensive ventilation ducting. The
tonings of fawn, buff and creams were (above the entrance foyer). A curved theatre was equipped with a very large
separated by manganese “heelers” and and stepped ceiling was effectively capacity evaporative cooling system to
bands of orange Colortex bricks. These installed in this foyer. Midnight blue cater for the extreme summer heat. In
colours complimented the harsh arid velour curtains (for evening use) and the winter oil fired boilers provided hot
environment of the area. Large grills at green sun curtains (for day use) were water for the individual foot warmers
the top of the bowed facade sections, also fitted to the foyer windows. located in each row in the stalls and
as well as being part of the visual Leather lounges and split cane chairs lounge area of the dress circle.
effects, were in fact exhaust outlets for furnished the area. Facilities for live theatre were not
the ventilation system. The auditorium The auditorium contained many included in the design of the building
section of the theatre was wider than unusual design features. “The Film although it was possible to access the
the foyer part of the building. Weekly” of September 7, 1939 stated 6m x 14.1 m (20’ x 47’) stage via an
The interior of the theatre was that the Ozone was “…the first theatre entrance in the left-hand side stage exit
designed to cope with the summer to employ sloping walls for acoustic corridor. The stage was equipped with
heat of Mildura. The selection of cool purposes”. In fact “Acoustic two sets of curtains.
shades of green in the decor themes considerations fundamentally The simple plaster treatment was of
also assisted in providing an influenced the interesting geometric a most modern design and consisted
environment to cater for local needs. shapes of this interior.” The long dress mostly of parallel moldings on the
Green mosaic tiles were used in the circle exit galleries, which led to walls and ceiling. Vertical lighting
entrance foyer and one of the many staircases located behind the deeply panels and ventilation grills provided
unusual features was the use of the splayed sidewalls of the auditorium, decorative relief to the walls. Indirect,
back, and direct lighting, and
suspended light fittings were used in
the auditorium.
The only details recorded about the
bio box equipment concerns the sound
system which was supplied by R.C.A.
The architects applied to the
Mildura Council to permit smoking in
the theatre citing as precedent Council
permission for two other theatre built in
Melbourne by the same architects, the
Padua at Brunswick and the Windsor
Theatre. This became a matter of
indecision and was passed back and
forward between the Mildura Council
to the Victorian Health Department. The
Dress Circle outcome was not recorded.

CINEMARECORD 2002 7