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The construction of the Astor provided the McMillans with a suitable theatre whilst extensive alterations were
made to the Lyric. They believed, that although only 15 years had passed since the last renovation, the Lyric
needed to be again updated. The brick and cement rendered facade to Maude St. was partially demolished
and reconstructed "to provide a coloured cement finish, relieved with suitable enrichment and colour blend
brick panels in the centre section and attractive tile panels in the centre section and at either end, whilst the
main feature is the name "Lyric" in four feet high letters".(3) A new canter levered verandah was installed to
complete the art deco frontage.

The projection booth was moved to the rear of the dress circle. The entrance foyer was enlarged and terrazzo
floored. New toilets were added. The auditorium was extended into the former stage area and was completely
transformed by the extensive use of fibrous plaster in the art deco manner. This also had the benefit of
providing "perfect sound conditions"(3) The seat capacity was increased to 1100. To enhance the comfort of
patrons a new evaporative cooling (and heating) plant was installed as were upholstered chairs in the dress
circle. A Western Electric Mirrophonic sound system was also installed. The New Lyric opened on Septem-
ber 29, 1938 with a program of "The Hurricane" supported by shorts and a cartoon.

1938 NEW LYRIC INTERIOR

In 1949 Walter McMillan formed a Company, called Lyric Photo Play Pty. Ltd. His two sons Sydney and Walter
were also shareholders. A check of "Film Weekly" exhibitors listings over the years records this company as
running various open air, "hard tops", and Drive-In theatres in Shepparton, Rochester, Benalla, Kyabram,
Woodend and Tongala.

In keeping with the progressive outlook of the McMillans the Lyric was drastically altered for the third time in
1966. This work was under the supervision of Sydney McMillan and his son Barry. The auditorium was
completely gutted and a new single level cinema, The Capri, was born within its walls.

The Capri, was a most attractive example of the new intimate theatre style of the 1960's. It was furnished with
quality fittings and decorated in the fashionable autumn tonings of the day. The auditorium seated 572 on
comfortable chairs. The Capri had the unique distinction of being the first theatre in Australia, outside a capital
city, to install 70 mm projection and six track stereophonic sound.(4) It was "the third theatre after the My Fair
Lady, Brisbane [December 1965] and the Avalon, Hobart, [February 1966], to use EL 4000 Philips 35/70mm
projectors coupled to the R.C.A. transistorised sound system".(4) The Capri opened on March 11, 1966 with
"The Fall Of The Roman Empire"

The Capri Twin was constructed in 1976. This small 215 seat Cinema 2 was build parallel to the main cinema
but in the building next door. Two separate projection booths were required for the twin operation. Cinema 2
was equipped with two C & W projectors (ex. Astor) with Strong Lumex Xenon lamp houses; mono sound was
installed and 6000 ft. spools were used. These projectors were later replaced with two Phillips EL 4000 35/70
mm machines; the addition of an Eprad Mut (film spool) and a Dolby CP 50 stereo sound processor completed
the update. The Philips machines are still being used with the addition (in 1990) of an LP 270 film platter. Both
cinemas were accessed from the Maude St. frontage.

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