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Tacked-on poster boards and the sky sign ‘Hoyts Best and Most’ accentuated the ugliness of the building.
T.J.West died on 30 November 1916 Author's comments: 4. The Kinematograph and Lantern
at the age of 61 years in Essex, UK. This article is largely based on Weekly: Pictures in Australia; London,
West’s Pictures or Wests had been a reports in the British trade journals of 27 August 1908.
5. The Kinematograph and Lantern
household phrase in Australia. At its the time. On the surface, one would
Weekly: News and Notes, The Olympia
peak, his organisation employed over think that these journals would be
Melbourne; London, 15 April 1909.
800 people. He burst on to the cinema reliable primary sources. I am not so
6. The Handbook of Kinematography,
scene in its raw, infant days, and for a sure, and have tried to verify the facts
Colin Bennett F.C.S., The
short time showed the direction in from at least two sources. Kinematograph Weekly, London, 1913.
which it could go. Articles and reports in such 7. The Bioscope: Foreign News,
In July 1918 the theatre became magazines were often the product of Melbourne; London, 8 July 1909.
Hoyt’s Lyceum, which operated for a the publicity arm of a showman’s 8. The Bioscope: Foreign News,
few years. This venture should not be enterprise and frequently produced ‘in Australia; London, 21October 1909.
confused with the Bourke Street theatre the heat of the moment’! On reading 9. Board of Health File: Public Records
Office.
that later came under Hoyt’s control. many of the reports, this becomes
10. Table Talk Australia, 16 September
After Wests/the Lyceum was obvious.
1909.
demolished in 1926, the multi-storey Various publications refer to West 11. The Bioscope: Foreign News,
YMCA building rose on the site, taking as having established Australia’s first Australia; London, 11November 1909.
full advantage of a prime location. purpose-built cinema in 1906. I could 12. The Kinematograph and Lantern
Unlike the situation within the find no evidence to support that claim. Weekly: Australian Trade Growing;
executive ranks of Arthur Russell’s London, 23 July 1908.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
fledgling Hoyts, there was apparently 13. The Kinematograph and Lantern
Chris Long and Ross King assisted Weekly: News from Other Countries;
no successor within West’s organization
with research for this article. London, 18 November 1909.
to maintain or build on the founder’s I also thank Frank Van Straten for some 14. The Bioscope: Foreign News,
achievements. further insights. Australia; London, 23 December 1909.
The Bioscope referred to West as: 15. The Bioscope: A World-wide
REFERENCES:
A man whose influence on the industry Organisation; London, 27 October
1. The Kinematograph and Lantern
was invariably for the good. T.J. West 1910.
Weekly: The World’s Biggest Picture
will long be remembered with respect 16. The Bioscope: Death of T.J. West -
(16) Theatre; London, 14 October 1909.
and appreciation. ★ Australia’s Pioneer Exhibitor; London,
2. The Melbourne Argus, 17 September 7 December 1916.
1909.
3. The Kinematograph and Lantern
Weekly: Australia's Biggest Picture
Exhibitor; London, 28 October 1909.

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