Page 13 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

ceilings were treated in gold and bronze lacquering with chromium plate edging and black glazed tiles. The
back wall of the circle was especially treated with tentest sheeting (colored sound proof wall tiles) picked out
with brown and blue. On the sub balcony were fitted nine modern electric fittings also qf two component parts
giving blue upward atmospheric effect and the radiant glow of other colors. By an intricate arrangement they
were able to be separately dimmed as circumstances warranted.

A heating system was employed using hot water being heated by a crude oil burner, which atomised the oil
ignited in the furnace, the water being distributed through all parts of the theatre through footwarmers. The
heater and ventilation work was done by Mr. W. Denton. Building contractor was Mr. George Roe and the
electrical work was once again carried out by Mr. J.L. Howard.

Plaster works alterations was provided by Messrs. W.H. Phillips & Son. Architects responsible for these major
alterations were Messrs. H. Vivien Taylor and Soilleaux and Overland, artistic and acoustic consultants of
Henty House, Little Collins Street, Melbourne.

On August 18th, 1954 the Lyric featured in the news 11 with the announcement of it being the first Victorian
country cinema to install CinemaScope with the spectacular presention of 20th Century Fox's 'The Robe". A
new larger screen was built in front of the existing proscenium and new stage curtains were installed. The old
gold 12 and green tabs each with a large green Lyre on them were then later used for some years at the Capitol
Theatre in View Street. A change of projection equipment from a pair of front shutter Simplex projection heads
for Centre with the existing carbon arc lamps replaced with a pair of Westrex 14 inch arcs. Western Electric
penthouse sound heads was fitted between the top spool boxes and projection heads for the 20th Century Fox
Cinemascope magnetic stereo sound prints.

The Lyric was screening two sessions daily, Monday to Saturday, until the introduction of Bendigo's own Televi-
sion station BCV8, which commenced transmission in 1962. Matinee sessions were reduced to only about
three per week. Declining attendances continued with first the Royal Princess in View Street being the first to
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close its doors in May 1963. A little over 2 years later the Bendigo Advertiser displayed a farewell announce-
ment from the Lyric management thanking its loyal patrons for their patronage of 52 years continuous screen-
ings.

The final screening was Saturday, September 4th, 1965 with James Stewart in 20th Century Fox's "Mr. Hobbs
Takes A Vacation" with a supporting feature of 'Surf Party". Two long serving projectionists were Jack Steele,
and Ken Hill who commenced in 1942. Jack Steele screened the Lyric's final program.

In September of 1966 the Lyric, valued at $100,000, went to auction. but was passed in with the price stopped
at $60,000. During its closure police had continuously investigated reports of intruders in the empty building
and vandals had caused considerable damage.

On Saturday, 8th July, 1967 14 a little after 2 pm a passer-by raised the alarm when smoke was noticed billowing
from the building, as the Lyric was engulfed in a spectacular fire which was witnessed by hundreds of onlook-
ers. The fire which destroyed the interior of the building very quickly left only the 15 inch thick outer walls
standing with tangled and twisted corrugated iron and girders inside. Fire investigators believed the fire had
smouldered for quite some time under the vicinity of the projection room.
After the debris was cleaned out by Whelan The Wrecker the outer walls were trimmed down to a safe level and
the interior of the building subdivided into small businesses.

Today the front section of the building still stands with the words "LYRIC" still visible, the only reminder of
Bendigo's "veritable Picture Palace".

References:
1 Bendigo Advertiser 22/12/1908 2 Bendigo Advertiser 10/3/1910
3 Bendigo Advertiser 26/7/1910 4 Bendigo Advertiser 28/2/1911
5 Bendigo Advertiser 19/2/1913 6 Bendigo Advertiser 22/2/1913
7 Bendigo Advertiser Jan 1951 8 Bendigo Advertiser 26/9/1930
9 Bendigo Advertiser 18/12/1934 10 Bendigo Advertiser 1/1/1935
11 Bendigo Advertiser 18/8/1954 12 Ken Hill
13 Bendigo Advertiser 4/9/1965 14 Bendigo Advertiser 10/7/1967