Page 15 - CR

The
O
The Octoberctober 19351935
presentation, of the Jeanette
presentation, of the Jeanette
McDonald / Nelson Eddy film
McDonald / Nelson Eddy film
Naughty Marietta
Naughty Marietta screened to screened to
packed houses over an extended
packed houses over an extended
se
season of three weeks.ason of three weeks.
Another advance in 1937 was the nother advance in 1937 was the
A
i
installation of the Western Electric nstallation of the Western Electric
Mirrophonic sound system. Acclaimed Acclaimed
Mirrophonic sound system.
breakthrough
as as a a breakthrough in in quality
quality
s
sound reproduction, the first film ound reproduction, the first film
presented with Mirrophonic was The The
presented with Mirrophonic was
Great Ziegfield. eat Ziegfield.
Gr
By this time Union Theatres – General
By this time Union Theatres – General
Theatres had withdrawn and the show
Theatres had withdrawn and the show
reverted to independent operation.
reverted to independent operation.
Harry Gyles was appointed as the
Harry Gyles was appointed as the
Managing Director of the Moonee Ponds
Managing Director of the Moonee Ponds
Picture Theatre Co.
Picture Theatre Co.
Back in 1929 the “talkie” projection
Back in 1929 the “talkie” projection
equipment installed consisted of the W.E.
equipment installed consisted of the W.E.
Universal base and Simplex projectors.
Universal base and Simplex projectors.
Although modified as needed, this
Although modified as needed, this
equipment remained in use until the theatre
equipment remained in use until the theatre
closed in 1965. For many years Max
closed in 1965. For many years Max
Greene was the projectionist in charge.
Greene was the projectionist in charge.
Commencing in 1937, the theatre was
Commencing in 1937, the theatre was
progressively remodelled by Architects,
progressively remodelled by Architects,
Cowper, Murphy and Appleford but
Cowper, Murphy and Appleford but
was not completed until 1940 then
was not completed until 1940 then
under the supervision of local Architect,
under the supervision of local Architect,
Harry Winbush*.
Harry Winbush*.

With a new modern façade and foyer
With a new modern façade and foyer
facing Puckle Street, a new interior
facing Puckle Street, a new interior
lounge constructed on the eastern side of
lounge constructed on the eastern side of
the theatre, and the striking “sunburst”
the theatre, and the striking “sunburst”
stage proscenium, the result was a clever
stage proscenium, the result was a clever
blending of the theatres original Edwardian
blending of the theatres original Edwardian
style to the 1930’s modern style.
style to the 1930’s modern style.

Above Pics: The remodelled auditorium.

CINEMAREC ORD 2011 15