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The advertised screening for 16
September 1929, advised that
accurately synchronised, full volume
perfect sound, using all electric
equipment would be used. No fake!
The acoustics in the town hall are
not too good (even today!) so just how
clearly patrons heard the film’s sound-
track with the full volume as promised
in Holland’s advertisement, is a moot
point! The Hollands definitely need
(5)
further research.
Dan Clifford operated the Lyric
until June 1932. The depression was
affecting the district badly, many
farmers even selling their breeding
stock. All the talk was about the bad
times. Orchardists at Mypolonga were
seeking visitors to inspect damage
caused by excessive rains, and at the
same time purchase fruit from them.
The local paper regularly carried news
or advertisements that another
(5)
warehouse had ‘gone bust’.
Gaumont British Kalee sound-on-
disc projectors were installed at the
Lyric some time in the 1930s. Details
are unclear as Lyric advertisements
disappeared from the Mt. Barker
Courier for quite some time, probably
due to the hard times. The program for
Wednesday 16 July 1930, Rin Tin Tin
in Frozen River, a silent film, was the
last film advertised in the Mt. Barker
Courier for about two years!
In 1932 sound-on-film was installed,
using locally made Benbow sound
projectors. The next advertised program
was for 1 July 1932. The theatre was
still the Lyric, and the film was Bulldog
Drummond, Ronald Colman’s first
talkie. However, an accompanying
article in the Courier made passing
reference to …the arrangements of
taking over the theatre at short notice,
the management had to accept films
booked by the previous lessee.
Reference to the Lyric in the book,
Thanks for the Memories indicates that
the licence ‘as a place of public
entertainment’ lapsed during Clifford’s
time. By 1937 the Waterman Brothers
had taken over, and renamed it The
Ozone Theatre, in keeping with their
extensive Ozone Theatre circuit,
registered as Ozone Amusements Ltd.
(1916). Watermans are believed to have
paid £12,000, ($24,000) for the Lyric,
the same as the original construction
(5,7,9,11)
cost!
Same theatre with a name change: from top; the Lyric by night (MBHS); as the Ozone;
look beyond the posters to glimpse the style of the foyer; scenic murals of the
auditorium. Notice the rake of the floor. (These pics: Peter Smyth).

12 2007 CINEMARECORD