Page 20 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

The Surrey Theatre
The Surrey Theatre

Opening Night News.
This is what the audience knew when
they entered the theatre. By Cameron Hall
Source: The Herald 2 September 1939.

he Surrey was the third and the The Surrey Hall (which is still the same time as The Surrey, were the
Tlast local film venue for residents standing) became the Rex Theatre and last bursts of luxury theatre design
of Surrey Hills, one of Melbourne’s sound pictures were introduced. The seen in the eastern suburbs. The
leafy eastern suburbs. Outdoor summer exhibitor Robert Mitchell saw the Surrey was ahead of its time. The
screenings began in the Surrey Gardens potential for a purpose built theatre. He single-level theatre became the
about 1917. The screen was set up on joined forces with the principals of the prototype for the local theatres that
the site now occupied by the Baby local real estate business Dimmick and followed - Time Balwyn, Maling
Health Centre. The bioscope operated Long and with Master Builder Len Canterbury and ten years on, the Civic
from the confines of a tin shed. Rossiter to form the partnership that Ashburton.
The Surrey Hall at 101-105 Union would build and run the new theatre. The Surrey’s low elevation from
Road began screening films in the Len Rossiter managed all the street reflected its single level
1920’s. A newspaper of the time correspondence in regard to planning interior. The design shrewdly
described the building as one for and permits. Council approved the maximized the rental potential possible
‘which the want has long been felt in building plans on 8th May 1939. from shops on two sides. The foyer’s
Surrey Hills.’ Furthermore, it The theatre was planned for a island ticket box allowed easy access
contended, ‘One minute from the corner site, close to the rail station and to the sweets counter (left) or forward
station, it will be sought after for formerly occupied by a (Fire) Wood to the auditorium entrance doors.
concerts and entertainment.’ Children Yard. The architect was Clive Lord of There were no surprises beyond those
sat on hard forms in the front rows 20 Queen Street Melbourne. The doors; consistency of style was the
while the adults enjoyed the comfort of finance available to private partners to virtue. Lighting and seating were
horse-hair padded seats raised on a commit to a theatre was less than what functional and artistic adornment was
small platform at the rear of the the chains could muster. The Surrey minimal. If the theatre could be said to
auditorium. The shops at the front of was of necessity a practical but modest have a fault it would be the lack of any
the hall included a boot maker, structure. The Regal at Hartwell playfulness, any sense
dressmaker, tobacconist and (1937) and the construction of the of ‘pull-out-all-stops’ in
confectioners. Boys from the lolly Rivoli East Hawthorn, under way at the design.
shops sold their employer’s wares to
the theatre patrons.

The real estate business Dimmock and Long had a prime location within the building because the principals were two of the four
partners in the theatre. Note the extent of shops front and side.

20 2002 CINEMARECORD