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During the mid 1920’s a s a
                  During the mid 1920’
                 number of other purpose-built umber of other purpose-built
                 n
              picture-theatres were constructed in
              picture-theatres were constructed in
             t the district, these being the Waratah he district, these being the Waratah
            an
            and  New Ascot at  Ascot  Vale, the d  New Ascot at  Ascot  Vale,  thet
          S
          Southern Cross at Essendon and the outhern  Cross at Essendon and the
          N
          New Essendon at North Essendon. ew Essendon at North Essendon.
          B
          By 1927 the  Moonee Ponds  Theatre y 1927 the Moonee Ponds Theatre
          was operating as part of the Union
          was operating as part of the Union
          Theatres chain.  This came about as eatres  chain. This  came about as
          Th
          a result of the two major exhibition
          a result of the two major exhibition
          c companies, Hoyts and Union theatres ompanies, Hoyts and Union theatres
          monopolising the available film supply. onopolising the available film supply.
          m                                  Above: Early 1920s façade.
                                             Right: 1917 Bio-Box Fire.
          Under Union Theatres there was greater nder Union Theatres there was greater
          U
          access to
          access to film product.film product.
                                                “One of the Union Theatres”
          U
          Upon the retirement of Mr J. C. pon the retirement of Mr J. C.
          Langley, after nine years as the second , after nine years as the second
          Langley
                                                                                From a high to a low, nine months , nine months
          manager, Harry Gyles who also had                                     From a high to a low
          manager, Harry Gyles who also had
          an interest in the  establishment  of
          an interest in the establishment of                                   l later in March 1932 when after ater in March 1932 when after
                                                                                Harry Gyles had locked up after the y Gyles had locked up after the
          the  New Ascot  Theatre, (Essendon                                    Harr
          the  New Ascot  Theatre,  (Essendon
                                                                                s
          Theatres P/L) was appointed manager   1932                            show and returned to his home in how and returned to his home in
          Theatres P/L) was appointed manager
          at Moonee Ponds about the time of
          at Moonee Ponds about the time  of                                    Ascot Vale he was kidnapped outside
                                                                                Ascot Vale he was kidnapped outside
          the Union Theatres takeover.                                          his house, bound, blindfolded and
          the Union Theatres takeover.
                                                                                his house, bound,  blindfolded and
                                                                                gagged by assailants who bundled
                                                                                gagged by  assailants who bundled
          As a Union theatre it was closed for a
          As a Union theatre it was closed for a                                him into his  car and he  was taken
                                                                                him into his car and he was taken
          week in September 1929 while being                                    back to the theatre in the early hours
                                                                                back to the theatre in the early hours
          week in September 1929 while being
          wired for sound, the first theatre in
          wired for sound, the first theatre in                                 of the morning.
                                                                                of the morning.
          the district to present the talkies with
          the district to present the talkies with
          Clive Brook and Baclanova in  The                                     He was forced to unlock the safe from
          Clive Brook and Baclanova in  The
                                                                                He was forced to unlock the safe from
          Dangerous Woman.                                                      where the thieves helped themselves to
          Dangerous Woman.
                                                                                where the thieves helped themselves to
                                                                                35 Pounds, 13 shillings and ten pence,
                                                                                35 Pounds, 13 shillings and ten pence,
          In July 1931 renowned soprano, Gladys                                 being the previous night’s takings.  The
          In July 1931 renowned soprano, Gladys
                                                                                being the previous night’s takings.  The
          Moncrief performed for four nights at                                 thieves returned and released Harry near
                                                                                thieves returned and released Harry near
          Moncrief performed for four nights at
                                                                                to his home, unharmed but badly shaken.
          the theatre.
          the theatre.                                                          to his home, unharmed but badly shaken.
                                                                                The thieves were never apprehended.
                                                                                The thieves were never apprehended.
                                                                                As the great depression gathered
                                                                                As the great depression  gathered
                                                                                pace by the end of 1933 over 1000
                                                                                pace by  the end of 1933 over 1000
                                                                                people attended the first Community
                                                                                people attended the first Community
                                                                                Singing  day  sponsored by the
                                                                                Singing day sponsored by the
                                                                                Moonee Ponds  Traders  Association
                                                                                Moonee Ponds Traders Association
                                                                                of which Harry Gyles was president.
                                                                                of which Harry Gyles was president.
                                                                                The Community  Singing  program
                                                                                The Community Singing program
                                                                                continued for many years.
                                                                                continued for many years.
                                                                                After a short closure in March 1934
                                                                                After a short closure in March 1934
                                                                                the theatre was given a make-over and
                                                                                the theatre was given a make-over and
                                                                                as the depression receded the business
                                                                                as the depression receded the business
                                                                                continued to prosper.
                                                                                continued to prosper.
                                                                                In June of that  year, Radio Station
                                                                                In June of that year, Radio Station
                                                                                3UZ conducted the  Test Match
                                                                                3UZ conducted the  Test Match
                                                                                Broadcast at the conclusion of the
                                                                                Broadcast at the  conclusion  of the
                                                                                evening program.  The Broadcast
                                                                                evening  program. The  Broadcast
                                                                                commenced at 11pm and continued to
                                                                                commenced at 11pm and continued to
                                                                                3am, keeping listeners in touch with
                                                                                3am, keeping listeners in touch with
                                                                                the progress of the match between
                                                                                the progress of the match between
                                                                                the English and  Australian
                                                                                the English and  Australian
                                                               Enclosed façade
                                                                                cricket teams being played
                                                              with vertical sign.  cricket teams being played
                                                                                in England.
                                                                                in England.
          14  2011  CINEMAREC ORD
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