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The closure rated a mention in a
few papers and some moments of
nostalgia, but Burwood deserved more.
It was the drive-in cradle of Australia
and its influence has been mostly
forgotten.
In recent years the history of the
site has been acknowledged in signage
and a small display in the park that has
partly replaced it. Errors on the plaque
and a marker showing the position of
the screen displayed some enthusiasm,
but little research, by the local council.
The property became an electricity
supply depot and is today occupied by
the electricity company Alinta. The
ticket box has been turned into a BBQ
shelter and the original entrance drive
still has marker paint and street lamps
along it.
Clockwise from top left: By 1980 Burwood still returned solid figures, but was
Within the fenced-off company
outgrossed by Wantirna, Oakleigh and Maribyrnong.
grounds the ornamental lake still exists,
The projection room, early 80s housed Philips/Kinoton FP20 projectors with Ashcraft
although currently drained, with the
lamphouses. Ashcraft was a common light source for large drive-ins. Photo: Ron Dunn
steakhouse now used as a workers’
lunch-room. The indoor viewing room, The day after closure. Never again would cars pack those ramps and drivers scramble
which was converted into a to attach speakers. Photo: Ron Dunn
maintenance shed, still serves this
purpose, and the BBQ area has also Acknowledgments:
survived. Thanks to Phil O'Kane, David Johnson,
Eric White, Graeme Hodges, Greg
The story of Burwood mirrors the
Lynch, Ian Williams and Rob Griffith
entire drive-in business in this country.
for some first-hand details.
Boom early days, consolidation in the
Other sources were Public Records
sixties and seventies, decline in the
Office Victoria, State Library of
eighties and eventual closure. Victoria, The Sun News Pictorial, The
In hindsight it hardly seems a Herald, The Argus, and the Curtis
gamble at all, but if not for the vision James Collection.
and belief of George Griffith Jnr. and Photos are from the Curtis James
his original syndicate, who knows - we Collection unless credited otherwise.
may have missed out on some of the
best times of our lives. ★

20 2007 CINEMARECORD