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7. SWANPOOL CINEMA by Gerry Kennedy

The Swan pool Cinema operates as a weekend/summer screen in the Swan pool Memorial Hall (built about 1956).
This cinema is operated by Kevin Smith and his wife Shirley Swallow and was opened in 1992. Swanpool is
situated some 20 kms. south of Benalla, on the Benalla- Mansfield road.

The building is entered through a small, but attractive red carpeted crush space in which a ticket box is built on
the left hand side. A1 size "one sheeter" poster cases complete the decor. Seating is approximately 200, on
a combination of old cinema and plastic seats. Prior to Kevin Smith commencing screening, the hall committee
had a new suspended accoustic ceiling installed.

The rectangular proscenium is decorated with a simple, waved plaster treatment. The stage curtains are red.
The owners have successfully recreated the atmosphere of a 1950's style theatre both in film presentation and
the look of the building. The hall's supper room is used as a candy bar and refreshment area.

The bio box is suspended on the rear wall of the auditorium area, and is accessed by an external staircase.
Although small, 1950's style equipment is still used in preference to modem equipment. There are two C & W
/Raycophone C.P .7 projectors with Westrex Hylite archs. A slide machine is comprised of a Hylite arc mounted
on a H & B pedestal.

The audio rack is still under construction and includes kit built amplifiers and a domestic Yamaha Dolby Prologic
amplifier. Background music is supplied by a C.D. player. Theme music to complement the film is generally
used. Wulitzer organ music is used to background the slide presentation. A portable 16 mm projector with a
Bell & Howe long play system is installed when 35 mm prints are unavailable. The theatre is equipped with an
emergency power plant.