Page 20 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

completion of alterations to the Village
Theatre, the Movement would have a
real opera house. The theatre had been
purchased for 45,000 pounds ($90,000)
as well as the residential property at
the rear of the theatre for 24,000
pounds ($48,000).
The works to be undertaken to turn
the cinema into a theatre included the
extension of the stage some 45 feet
into the property behind and a larger
orchestra pit. It was hoped to have
opened the new theatre with an opera
season in February / March 1962. This
was to be followed by a Shakespearian
The ‘portrait’ dimension stage was ample for a large Academy ratio screen. season and operetta and ballet seasons
Photos pp 18-20 courtesy State Library of Victoria. were planned. An appeal was launched
for 100,000 pounds ($200,000) to fund
A relieving assistant projectionist Village because in his words, “People the alterations.
at The Village in 1956/57, Don are not animals.” If patrons wished to Architectural plans were drawn by
Kennedy recalls the surroundings as become engrossed in a conversation Bernard Evans and Partners Pty Ltd.
well ordered and spacious with ante with friends in the spacious foyers or These were submitted to the Health
rooms which included a battery room, finish a cigarette and miss the start of Department in May 1963. The Village
rewind room, workshop and a toilet - a the show, that was their prerogative. was to be renamed the Australian
rarity for operators in those days. A former patron of The Village National Memorial Theatre. The final
The report of opening night did not Ray Ryan recalls how semi classical extension, conversion and equipping
include the make of projector, but the music was cued to the dimming of the plans were submitted on 19 September
sound was described as “the Western house lights and an interplay of 1963. These included an extension to
Electric ‘wide-range’ process, the clarity coloured lights over the stage curtains. the stage, safety curtains, a fire curtain,
of sound reproduction increased by the He remembers Parlophone records of woollen proscenium curtains, a
first class acoustics of the theatre. The rhythm section instruments played in sprinkler system and fire alarms.
sound equipment is claimed to be the strict dance time. Such tunes as the The conversion was underway
most complete and the first of its kind in Japanese Sandman, Bill Bailey Won’t when the theatre was severely
the southern hemisphere.” You Please Come Home, Tiger Rag and damaged by fire. The building was
Two Kalee 20 projectors with the Black and White Rag were typical. demolished and the property sold. The
President arc lamps and Duo Sonic The theatre was heated by means of multi-storied Trak Centre stands on the
sound were installed in 1955. By this a coke fired boiler providing fan forced site. A basement single screen cinema
time other equipment included two air to ducts around the auditorium. This The Trak, seating 550 was
spotlights, a slide machine and an old was converted to oil in 1946. The incorporated into the project and
Westrex amplifier that was used for original cooling system was claimed to opened in 1969. It closed for regular
matinees and emergencies. There was a maintain an agreeable temperature screenings in 2001.
comfortable cane chair with cushion, irrespective of weather conditions. It The Village was a theatre in which
strategically placed at one of the large was upgraded in the fifties when The appearance and purpose were
spotlight ports to enable relaxed Village and The Dendy Brighton integrated. The building did not pretend
viewing of the film when time became the only two suburban theatres to be something else. This functional,
permitted. DC current was supplied by equipped with refrigerated air disciplined aesthetic was not to all
a Lincoln generator. An old generator conditioning. This plant was timed to tastes. Some people never warmed to
was also retained and used for matinees start at 3.30pm each day. After the the handsome, yet austere design. The
and emergencies. In 1947 a crying closure of The Village some of this Village towered over its mock Tudor
room was approved for construction. plant was purchased and installed at surroundings, one of the few authentic
The lessee Victoria Theatres also Her Majesty’s Theatre in the city buildings in the precinct. ★
operated The Broadway Elwood, where My Fair Lady was playing REFERENCES
Orient Heidelberg, Plaza Reservoir, through a very hot Melbourne summer. Public Records Office: VPRS 7882/P1, File
Surrey Surrey Hills and The Victoria The Village became an early 8178
The Argus 9 March 1936
North Richmond. Their Village casualty of television in Melbourne
“National Treasure: The Story of Gertrude
screened the MGM, Columbia and and the phenomenon of the Drive In. It Johnson and the National Theatre” by
Paramount product as first suburban closed after screening The Bolshoi Frank van Straten. Victoria Press
release. The Managing Director of Ballet on 31 December 1958. Melbourne - 1994
Film Weekly - Motion Picture Directory
Victoria Theatres Graeme Sloman had The Herald later reported a new (various issues)
definite ideas about management for role for the former cinema. Gertrude The Herald 9 May 1961
his show-case theatre. No warning Johnson of the National Theatre CATHS-V members: Don Kennedy and
bells or chimes were installed at The Movement announced that, after the Ray Ryan.

20 2002 CINEMARECORD