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MURRAY BRIDGE’S

Below left: the former Williams’
Hall/Mobilong Assembly Hall (1895) in
1963 (Ken Wells) Shop-front added later.
Above: the ‘Rink’ of 1910, taken by the
author in 2006.

By Peter Wolfenden later moved their show to the new
Town Hall (the former Institute), and
For Colin Kennett of the Cameo
regularly screened there during the
Cinema at Murray Bridge, bringing (10,7,11)
early 1920’s.
movies to the town is a labour of love.
Mr. Pulleine, local auctioneer and
Colin, together with his wife Valerie, and
land agent, opened a roller-skating
more recently his sons Daryl and Craig,
rink/dance hall in January 1910. This
continue the tradition of the late John L.
was in the main street, not far from the
Brook (Jack) who had a 45-year career
site of the future Lyric, which would
in Murray Bridge theatres from 1924.
made Australia’s oldest surviving movie be the town’s first purpose-built
Murray Bridge, originally part of - the Melbourne Cup of 1896! No
the Hundred of Mobilong, gazetted in doubt it was on the program at Murray cinema. His rink was soon to become
an alternative venue for general
1860, is now a city with a district Bridge, as it was included in an earlier entertainment in the town, including
population of about 15,000. Located on show at the Mount Barker Institute. (2) movies. It soon became known simply
the Murray River about 80km south- Among the travelling picture as The Rink.
east of Adelaide, it is a well-appointed showmen who came to Murray Bridge,
town with many fine buildings, the Ive-Sheridan Company in 1909 The Mount Barker Courier advised
facilities and attractions, a legacy of its proudly boasted that they screened that Empire Pictures were to screen at
historic importance as a river port. ‘movies without flicker’ using Edison’s the Rink on 5 August 1910. Within two
Murray Bridge’s first movies were Biograph. Heller’s Company was in months Lyceum Pictures, a travelling
probably screened at Mr. Williams’ town in February 1910, followed by the show, had it booked for every Saturday
night, sharing the program with the
hall, also known as the Mobilong famous Corricks on 10 May 1910, Mount Barker Institute on Monday
Assembly Hall. Built in 1895 and which included Leonard’s Beautiful nights. C. B. Raymond, the touring
privately owned, it was the original Pictures. Later, Stillwell the Great, a manager claimed that the Lyceum's
location for most town functions. The conjuror and society entertainer, brought pictures were ‘screened by powerful
Murray Bridge Institute, founded in a fight film of Sam Langford versus electric light’. The image must have
1894, did not have its own hall until Tiger Smith, which he used to help fill- been half reasonable for according to
1911 and then only after many years of in the interludes in his program. (3) one report, the film seemed so real that
difficult negotiation with the local The town’s first regular movies
(1,6) the coach and four horses in it appeared
council. It is now the town hall. commenced sometime prior to 1910; to come right out of the screen. (3,6)
The earliest advertisement for a probably screened by the Fraser
Other travelling shows included
picture show in the town was found in Brothers, at an open-air venue in Bridge Harrison’s Electro Pictures, which also
the Mount Barker Courier and Southern Street. Electricity for the entrance and screened at Mannum during 1915.
Advertiser of Friday 24 September display lighting was supplied by Griffiths Pictures in 1918 included
1897, advising that the lessee of Smyth’s Ice Works, behind the theatre! Murray Bridge and Mannum on their
Adelaide’s Theatre Royal, Mr. Wybert The projector was hand cranked, and circuit. In 1923 Hanns and Bell were
Reeve, by arrangement with Monsieur the illuminant was limelight, a common travelling to nearby Monteith and
Sestier, would be exhibiting Lumiere’s light source until a reliable electricity Pompoota as well as Murray Bridge.
Cinematographe on Wednesday 29 at supply became available. Stan Hanns was to become the first
7.30pm and the venue was to be the The Fraser Brothers did not appear operator at the Lyric theatre, which by
Institute, which at that stage was Mr. to advertise initially and so their early this time, was well beyond the drawing
Williams’ hall. Sestier was the man who activities could not be confirmed. They board. (10)

10 2007 CINEMARECORD