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T. J. WEST - AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST PICTURE EXHIBITOR?

Showman T. J. West's bold decision to open ‘the world's biggest picture theatre’ in Melbourne,
upstaged the traditional theatre district, and reinforced the notion of the south side of
Princes Bridge as an alternative entertainment precinct.
By Peter Wolfenden

When The Kinematograph and located on part of an entertainment
Lantern Weekly (London) informed its complex known as Princes Court. The
readers in 1909 that the world’s biggest Wirth brothers built a new circus
picture theatre had opened in hippodrome nearby.
(1)
Melbourne, the scale of the enterprise The old Olympia, seating 3,670
and the fact that it was the first people, opened for movies on 12
purpose-built picture house for the city, October 1907. Admission ranged from
was news indeed. In Melbourne, a paid six pence to two shillings (five cents to
inclusion in The Argus reported that: 20 cents). (4)
West’s opened last night to an In 1908 a show at Wests lasted
enormous audience who were about two hours, twenty minutes. A
unanimous in their expression of typical West’s Olympia program
delightful surprise at the wonderful included:
forethought shown by the management Canals of Sweden, Julius Caesar,
(2)
for their pleasure and comfort. The Little Plaster Seller, Toy Making, A
The theatre was the creation of Gay Old Dog, Snapshots in India,
Thomas James West, usually referred to Peggy’s First Prance, Katie’s Birthday,
as T. J. West, a name unknown to a Rifle Bill series, and a host of other
cinema patrons today. But about a subjects, ‘both grave and gay.’ (5)
hundred years ago, Mr. West was an Definitely something for everyone!
extremely powerful and well-known
Wests ran one show a day; the most
operator, not only in Australia but also
(1) popular by far was on Saturday
New Zealand and the UK.
evening. At every show West’s Full
West was an interesting character, a Military Band of 24 bandsmen
man obviously sure of himself and one provided the accompaniment. (4)
who did not shy away from big
West had a reputation for high-class
decisions. He became involved in
musical accompaniment. The
moving pictures at their time of great
Handbook of Kinematography included
expansion and public interest.
him as an example when it stated:
Born in London on 1 April 1855, …but real concert artistes lend tone to
West first worked in the box office of the picture theatre, as has been proved
the St. James Hall. He became over and over again at shows run by
treasurer of Hardy Gillard's American Mr. T.J. West, Mr. Dove Paterson and
Panorama (which brought him into other leading showmen. (6)
contact with motion pictures). He
Up until this time, moving pictures
travelled to America and by the age of
were screened in converted halls,
30 was managing a number of
legitimate theatres, and converted shop-
theatrical establishments.
fronts. In country towns the most
West developed his skills as a suitable venue was often the local
public lecturer, probably speaking to Mechanics’ Institute Hall.
lantern slides- a very Victorian activity.
In Sydney, West operated at the
An eloquent speaker could turn a dry
Glaciarium; in Perth at His Majesty’s
subject into a great night’s
(3) T. J.West and his Australasian cinema and a touring company visited the
entertainment.
holdings. larger country towns in South Australia
When projected motion pictures and Victoria. Another company
became the novelty all the public West’s first commercial venue was operated in Queensland and at the
noticed, T.J. certainly took notice! He in Edinburgh. He then moved to New Centennial Hall in Brisbane. (4)
was intrigued with the Kinematograph Zealand where he established four In Melbourne, West leased the
and its potential business opportunities. travelling circuits based on Wellington, Olympia for about two years before he
According to one report West at Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin, opened his own theatre. He took a long-
once saw its enormous possibilities, commencing in 1904 at His Majesty’s term lease on a block of land reportedly
and from that day to this he has been a Theatre. (4) adjacent to the Olympia. (7)
faithful adherent to this scientific form
By 1908 West was well and truly In fact the site was across the road
of what one might call educational
(3) established in Melbourne. He leased the from the Olympia, in the wedge
amusement.
original Olympia from Wirth’s Circus, formed by the intersection of Sturt
6 2006 CINEMARECORD