Page 22 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

it to open from the inside without a
key, surely a fundamental requirement
from day one.
On 23rd October 1950, Mr.
Rossiter reported the sale of the
Surrey Theatre to Victoria Theatres
Ltd of Toorak. Registration was
transferred to Victoria Theatres
(located in the Village Toorak
building) on 1st November 1950.
The new proprietors also took pride
in well-managed theatres and began
electrical modifications and
improvements to the ventilation and
heating systems. About this time
Henry Jamieson was recruited to run a
Quiz Show as part of the Saturday
matinee. Henry stood on stage holding
one microphone while an usherette
with another mike on a long lead roved
the aisles to elicit answers from the
kids thrusting their hands in the air.
In the fifties all theatre chains
challenged the ruling that a fireman
from the local brigade had to be on
duty at every performance. Their
reasoning was that since the law had
required that they continually make
changes to upgrade safety, to dispense
with paying a fireguard was the
logical next step, they had made their
theatres safe. Victoria Theatres, along
with the other companies, was
threatened with prosecution. (The
outcome of the defiance was that the
law was changed.) Top: A fine view from every seat but no-frills. The curtain was a neutral beige which
In June 1955 the proscenium was took on the colours of the footlight globes.
widened to accommodate a Above: Eyes front or eyes back the decor was minimal.
CinemaScope screen. This reduced Photos source: State Library of Victoria Picture Collection.
seat numbers to 762. More electrical
work in the bio box, switchboard Wednesdays. In this case it was Gary passers-by to alert the owners that
repairs, improved lighting of the steps Cooper in The General Died at Dawn, something was amiss. Clear-glass
and maintenance of the foyer radiators a marvellous piece of exotica from replacements were quickly fitted
was needed in late 1956. 1936, but film buffs were scarce on before opening night.
The Surrey made a switch from the ground. In conversation with a tour group
the Suburban Entertainment column to On 3rd October 1960, Consolidated in western Queensland, Lyn Mitchell
Regional Theatres on 6 March 1958, Theatres notified the Department of mentioned that she was the daughter of
possibly as part of a restructure that Public Health that the Surrey Theatre Len Mitchell, builder and partner in
saw Victoria Theatres re-organise as would be “sold for purposes other than the Surrey. One of the ladies in the
Consolidated Theatres*. There was no as a motion picture theatre, ceasing group recalled her matinee days there
change in the source of films (MGM, Saturday 22nd October 1960.” The and the occasion when she took her
Paramount, Rank), but the first title building was converted into squash nine year old sister Dorothy to see The
under the new banner was an example courts and late demolished. The site is Wizard of Oz. Dorothy (Judy Garland)
of problems at the top now facing all now an office block. is lost and the good witch (Billie
cinemas owners. A Short Cut To Hell Like all theatres the Surrey Burke) paces around with her hand to
was Paramount’s inferior re-make of conjures rich memories amongst those her eyes calling, “Dorothy, Dorothy,
This Gun for Hire the film that who knew it as their local cinema. where are you?” Little sister jumped to
rocketed Alan Ladd to stardom in During the last stages of construction, her feet, stood on her seat and called
1941. Who in middle Melbourne 17 handsome front doors were fitted, out at the top of her voice, “Here I am
years later would be enticed to such each with a sand blasted four-letter fairy god-Mother, here I am!!!” ★
tired fare? The Surrey, with a history monogram for the words Surrey Hills
of six nights per film was often forced Independent Theatre. It took the
to revivals on Mondays to winks, nudges and the guffaws of

22 2002 CINEMARECORD