Page 12 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

51. Circuit Transformation- G. U. Melbourne 1976-86 by David Kilderry

The ten year period '76-'86 saw a dramatic change in Greater Unions Melbourne cinema circuit. From seven
single screen cinemas to one six screen complex. With the exception of the Bercy all theatres pre-dated World
War 2. Greater Union had watched Hoyts closely and, although they updated and modernized their theatres,
they knew the only way to compete was with a new complex of their own.

In 1976 programmes still consisted of shorts, cartoons and an intermission. All G.U. bios still had assistant
projectionists. There was no automation, platter or xenon lamp. You could! even park your car out the front on
a parking meter. Presentation was still the order of the day and Tony Rochford and Bob Costello kept a fatherly
watch over the 40 projectionists and assistants.

Only a few major changes had occurred up to 1976 since the 1940's. The Grosvenor closed in 1969. The State
was converted to Forum and Rapallo in 1962. The Bercy opened in 1965 and GU acquired and then relinquished
control of the Metro Collins (1970-1975).

BARCLAY
This was situated at 131 Russell Street. The modernized interior and facade of the old Kings had re-opened
with "The Ten Commandments" in the late 1950's but by 1976 its coloured panel facade was looking dated.
G.U. after much consideration chose this site as the location for its new complex. Half way through the run of
"One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" the scaffolding went up and the Barclay came down. "Cuckoos Nest" was
moved over to the Forum. Once a Paramount First release house, advertising separately, in its later years it
had become part of the G.U. circuit proper. Other popular films to run at the Barclay were "The Sting", "Hataril"
and "The Italian Job".

ODEON-TIMES
Situated at 283 Bourke Street, where the Centrepoint Mall is now located, was the Odeon and beneath it was
the Times. The Odeon was a rather narrow theatre, which earlier had an English Film release policy. The Times
was a newsreel theatrette which by the 1970's was running 'R' certificate films.

A rear projection system was used at the Times. In anticipation of the Russell's opening the Odeon closed in
1977 with "The Rescuers". However due to delays the complex didn't open till November 1978. Other big
attractions to run at the Odeon were "Jaws", "The Godfather", "American Graffiti" and "To Sir With Love". It was
often debated that if the theatre had remained open what effect the Bourke Street Mall would have had on
business, good or bad.

CHELSEA
At 178 Flinders Street sat the Chelsea. Formerly the Majestic it was one of the cornerstones in the formation
of Union Theatres. With "Porgy and Bess" in 1960 came G.U.'s First Melbourne ?Omm show and the Chelsea
continued with blockbusters for the next decade.

By 1974 it had already lost its' ?Omm Cinemeccanica projectors to the Forum. Flinders Street had become a
wind tunnel thanks to the Gas and Fuel buildings and the Chelsea went from the Flagship to almost last cab off
the rank when it came to big shows. Double Features and one-week-wonders programmed the Chelsea till
1978.

In preparation for the Russell's opening, two brand new ?Omm machines were installed for testing and evaluation.
'2001' was re-issued and the Chelsea won the crowds back again for a short while. On one occasion a rat
appeared on stage during a performance much to the projectionists horror. Another incident involved the
operator leaning too far out the port whilst focusing and loosing his glasses into the full Dress Circle. After
closure in 1980 the basement, former home to Bell & Howell, filled with water and it was finally demolished in
1985.

BERCY
In 1965 G.U. built the Bercy at 128 Bourke Street. One of only two completely new cinema buildings built by
G.U. in Melbourne since 1930.

This part of Bourke Street rapidly became Melbourne's Film going heart. The Bercy was quite restrained in
style (Roman) and decoration (sparse). Opening attraction was "Irma La Douce". Other major attractions were
"Whats Up Doc?", "Airport" and "Grease".