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convinced him that there family piano and other home-based
was money to be made in events. The most costly amusement
the movies! was likely to be live theatre or
Besides the movies, gambling on the races! Testament to
what else amused the popularity of the latter is the fact
Australians during this first that the Melbourne Cup was one of
decade? Much the same the earliest actuality subjects filmed in
things as today actually, Australia. The Cup in 1901 attracted
although some have fallen some 95,000 people; one in five of
out of favour. Sports were Melbourne's population at the time.
popular, picnics, outings to
the beach, country and zoo,
variety theatres and
circuses, all by public
transport; church socials or
sing-alongs around the

Source: The Argus 24 Oct. 1896.
late Bill (Shiny) Evans saw his first
film show on a local sports ground
with a sheet for the screen strung
between the goal posts! When Grandpa went courting in Year Location One Weekly Ticket
Prestige of the venue and public the 1890’s, two tickets to the Back Wage Price
interest were intertwined in Vitascope and transport to and from Stalls (Male) (%)
determining admission prices. In 1906 the city cost him about 12 percent 1896 Athenaeum 1/- 16/- 6
The Story of the Kelly Gang screened of his average weekly wage (see 1910 Federal 1/- 29/- 3
at the Melbourne Town Hall with table). When picture theatres came Hall
admission prices at a hefty three to the suburbs, prices were well Footscray
shillings, two shillings and one within most budgets 1918 De Luxe 1/- 47/- 2
shilling while, a year later, the The table shows that cinema Bourke St.
Athenaeum Hall was charging the ticket prices in Victoria have 1924 Eclipse 1/1 72/- 1
same (it was cheaper at the matinees.). followed classic economic theory: Port Melb.
Of course, the Kelly story was still the supply of the first projectors 1936 Cinema 1/4 65/- 2
controversial, which would have and films was limited and the Richmond
encouraged interest. By contrast, open technology expensive. Showmen 1942 New 1/11 96/- 2
air shows in 1908 at the South charged high prices to recoup their Glenhuntly
Brisbane Cricket Ground cost the investment. Ticket prices fell as 1960 St George 3/- 450/- 1
grand sum of five cents on the oval, competition increased the supply of Yarraville
ten cents in the grand-stand and films and the means to show them.
children half price! It's a wonder that And by and large prices have 1970 Plaza $0.80 $80 1
the pioneer Australian film maker Bert stayed that way. Chelsea
Ive became hooked on the movies 1994 Various $10 $649 2
after being charged ten cents for a 2003 Various $13.50 $750 2
fifteen minute show put on in a
Week-night prices at the pictures. Wage rates used in the early years were for male factory
converted shop in Townsville in 1897. workers. Their choice of seat was assumed to be Back Stalls - the largest seat block in a theatre.
Of course, the price might have For a man with his girl friend, double the percentage shown. For Dad, Mum and two kids, triple it.

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