Page 8 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

The Flicks at
The Flicks at

Armstrong
Armstrong

Street.
Street.

The former Middle Park Theatre is
a link to the humble beginnings of film
as public entertainment and the growth
of repertory theatre in Melbourne.
Denzil Howson recalls the history of
The exterior in 2002. The hall is left, rear.
this building.
he restrained exterior of the It is not known if films in the hall the Projectionist, and his wife Clara
double storey building at 1-3 began with Mr Alfred King Smith (the sold the tickets and showed people to
TArmstrong Street Middle Park ‘King’ was added when he became a their seats. Son Frederick helped his
matches the purpose stated for it in cinema entrepreneur) but let us assume father as the Assistant Projectionist,
1908 – to serve as a post office savings that they did. daughter Winifred played the piano
bank, lodge rooms and public hall. The From that time the building was and daughter Constance was the
surprise is to walk down the lane and known as the Middle Park violinist (for the sad parts).
look at the hall connected to the main PictureTheatre seating 300 people. Clara King Smith is also listed as
building and absorb that this humble The decoration of the hall was, and ‘entertainer’, but in just what capacity
annexe could survive as a cinema for still is, neat but basic - no atmospheric is not clear.
so long before taking on new life as a effects, no clouds floating across a According to family history Clara
repertory theatre. The hall, painted sky and no banks of dissolving could neither sing nor play an
approximately 24 metres x 11 metres coloured lights. instrument, so she certainly would not
with a ceiling height of 5 – 6 metres The ceiling was Wunderlich have stepped into the breach (as did
screened ‘Biograph entertainments’ Pressed Metal, painted an attractive John Mellion* ) when the film broke
from about 1909 until 1943! The first shade of khaki. or the operator forgot to feed the
projectors were illuminated by carbon. So the appellation ‘entertainer’
The projection box held two
‘oxyhydrogen gas’ or limelight until remains a mystery.
projectors, initially hand cranked, but
electricity was connected in 1910. The By 1922 the Silents on Thursday
later motor driven. Carbon arcs were
pokey entrance to the hall, along a nights had given way to a series of
used.
passageway between the shops was a novelty nights - Dance Night and /or
Mr. Alfred King Smith’s family
concern to the authorities from the Plain and Fancy Dress Night at the
was integral to the operation. He was
beginning. In a letter to the Board of
Public Health in 1910 the police
queried the limited exits for a building
that ‘hosted meetings, theatrical
performances and dances.’
Viewed from Armstrong St. there is
nothing to suggest this colourful past.
On the first floor three large
casement windows look out onto
Armstrong Street from the former
lodge room which is approximately 9
metres by 12 metres in size. This room
later became a billiard saloon. The
dream of the first owner to have a bank
and post office as tenants may not have
eventuated. A cross section of known
tenants included a hair-dresser, dairy, a
milliner and a costumiere. The
building is not exactly your ‘Palace of
Dreams’ but it holds precious The Smith family c.1920. Back row: Constance, Winifred and Frederick. Front:
memories for some people. Alfred and Clara. Joyce is on her father’s knee.
Photo: Courtesy of Ms. Nancy Sibley.

8 2002 CINEMARECORD