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19. MOONEE PONDS THEATRE by Dr. the Hon. S. Merrifield

Limelight, biograph and kinema shows had been special treats. Now they were becoming general forms of
entertainment for young and old.

West's Pictures in the city were regularly advertised and local shows were being sponsored by independent
individuals and organisations such as Essendon Football Club (Victorian Football Association) in the Masonic
Hall, Town Hall and Symposium Gardens in Union Road, Ascot Vale. Others were at various places, on the
Maribymong River, Sangster's open air theatre in Maribymong Road, the Union Hall and Queen's Park.
On 9.12.1909, the Moonee Ponds Picture Gardens were advertised as at the corner of Puckle Street East
(Dean Street) and Mount Alexander Road. An article explained that the show was on the latter road and next
to the racecourse gates with a platform and a 20 feet square screen. Obviously open air.

The pictures opened on 3.12.1909 on a wet and cold night with Lilli as Bert, Ada Anderson, George Walton and
Bert Thomas as supporting artists. A full house turned up on the following night. The programme will change
each performance. Other artists named were Dillie Connors, Ethel Jeffries, Messrs. J. Russell, D. Learmonth,
Roy Rene (of fame) and Harry Gyles (later Moonee Ponds theatre manager and Essendon Councillor).
The gardens will be open each Tuesday, Friday and Saturday with the lighting in the hands of Harold Wilson.
Front seats were 1/- and back seats 6d. with children at half price is accompanied by a parent.

In late March 1911 , Cr. A.E. Young, who had been appointed Secretary, advised the Mayor, Cr. A.F. Showers,
that a large block of land had been acquired for a picture theatre and Pathe Freres were involved. Eighty feet
of the old bus stables had been bought for 23 pounds 1 0/- per foot by Mr. F. Hayes who will erect a brick theatre
to cost between 4,000 pounds and 5,000 pounds including 4 shops along the frontage.

The capital was to be 10,000 shares at one pound per share of which 1,000 pounds had been allotted as paid
up to the directors who were Dr. H.P. Martell, J.P., Mr. L. Saito (general manager of Pathe Freres}, Daniel
Wilson, J.P., Cr. H. Parris (Flemington). Solicitors-Cole and O'Heare, Bankers-Union Bank of Australia, Moonee
Ponds. Ten weeks after the first announcement, 5,000 shares had been taken up, of which 3,000 were to local
people.

The directors, upon visiting the St. Kilda theatre near the George Hotel and the railway station, found the plans
almost identical except Moonee Ponds was larger and deeper.

Shares were said to be already applied for but applications would still be taken as It was desired to spread the
ownership more widely.

A week after this statement (8.6.1911) a preliminary meeting of shareholders with Dr. Martell in the chair, cut
shares from 11 ,000 to 4,500. Why, was not explained but presumably because of an involvement by the
Amalgamated Picture Company who will direct operations as regards the control of the entertainments.
The Kinemacolour process in natural colour was to be used and the theatre was said to be the first so equipped.

The main auditorium was 88 feet by 58 feet, stage 38 feet by 22 feet, the dress circle, SO feet by 38 feet, could
hold 350 people and a movable sliding skylight in the centre of the main roof admitted fresh air to replace foul
air. There were entrances on either side of the main building.

The official opening took place on 14.12.1911 when 1,400 invited guests filled the 10,000 pound building.
The pictures first shown included "The Revenue Man and the Girl", "The Lure of Vanity" and "Calemo turns
Cabman·.

The public opening took place on 15.12.1911 .

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