Page 13 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

garage included a fireproof bio-box of
approved design and ample seating
accommodation.
Blay and Tardrew found they could
not continue to screen pictures twice
weekly, and less than a year later they
announced the end of Premier
Pictures.
Crosbie Pictures of Birchip came
to the rescue in October 1931,
complete with their talking and
Technicolor plant, still using the
Premier Garage as their venue.

Putting Donald On The Screen.
In March 1932 Donald residents
were invited to see themselves on the
screen, when Mr. Sidney Cook, a
well-known photographer, would ‘take
moving pictures of Donald and district
and its various activities.’ These would Putting on a show thirties touring style. Trees made good billboards
be screened on the same evening,
under the title Putting Donald on the ceiling to improve the sound. Talkies Memorial. The RSL, who owned the
Screen’ will not be shown in the garage until hall and collected the insurance,
further notice.” offered the Shire council 2,000 pounds
“It is proposed to show street
($4,000) and the valuable block of land
scenes showing the leading citizens
and others down to the smallest Plaza Pictures. on which the hall stood, if the Shire
urchins who happen to be in the ‘line The new St. Mary’s Hall became would add to the amount and rebuild.
of fire’ on Tuesday morning. In Plaza Pictures in 1932 formed by Difficult times made the project
addition, efforts are being made by the Father Gleeson and Mr. O'Brien., Their unacceptable to the Council. In 1935 a
Donald Publicity Committee to have machine was of poor quality and the public meeting demanded finality one
pictures taken of the freezing works, shows ceased after two weeks. way or the other. The outcome was
racecourse, church buildings, schools, However, Plaza Pictures re-opened that the Council borrowed 4,000
railways and various other places of 3 October with ‘the glorious new pounds ($8,000) in addition to the
local interest. melody show, Jazz Heaven. The new R.S.L.’s gift, and the public undertook
“The film will be shown in other RCA Talkie Plant is the Last Word In to raise sufficient money to make good
parts of the State and Commonwealth, Sound Reproduction, which is any annual loss on the hall until such
and will also form part of an All- Guaranteed Perfect’. time as the debt on it was reduced to
2,000 pounds.
Australian series that is being This plant belonged to Mr. H. (Bert)
prepared to take on a world tour. The Harris, of Maryborough an experienced A larger site was purchased in
screening offers the opportunity of exhibitor who brought films to a circle Houston Street for 750 pounds
seeing ourselves as others see us”. of towns which now included Donald, ($1,500). A brick hall was designed by
No doubt both leading citizens and beginning an association which was to architect Mr. R. Le-Poer Terry of
urchins found some business that last until 1966. Melbourne and built by J. Aird and Co.
also of Melbourne. It seated 578
necessitated their presence in the Pictures were still shown in St.
persons with provision for talking
street on that morning, and the Mary’s Hall, but a movement was
pictures, and included a supper room
pictures were duly taken, but a violent afoot to replace the burnt-out Soldiers'
and soldiers’ clubroom.
dust storm which blew up in the
afternoon prevented the whole film Bert Harris
being developed, so the showing had transferred films to the
to extend over two weeks. The Times new hall, and in late
did not comment on the quality of the 1936 he went into
film, or the content, but there was partnership with Mr. Bill
certainly a large audience. Wearne. The new circuit
covered Watchem,
Another fire occurred in 1932, but
Birchip, Wedderburn,
because of the lessons learned on the
Dunolly and Korong
first occasion it was not disastrous.
Vale. Mr. Wearne dealt
‘…The cabin was immediately shut
with film hire and Mr.
and by the smart use of the hose at the
Harris was the
Premier Garage, the spread of the
projectionist.
flames was prevented, after damaging
the machine and burning part of the The Soldiers Memorial Hall built in 1936 was the final Mr Harris moved to
hessian, which had been placed in the home for the Soldiers Pictures
CINEMARECORD 2002 13