Page 7 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

55. The Theatres Of Horsham by Gerry Kennedy & lan Ballinger

Part 1 -Locations Prior To 1930

EARLY VENUES:

Horsham Is the largest urban centre in the rich grazing and grain Wlmmera area of Western Victoria. The town
of 13,000 people is situated about half way between Adelaide and Melbourne on the Western Highway, 303
kms. from Melbourne.

Film exhibition in Horsham has had a long and colorful history and began with traveling exhibitors visiting the
area on both a casual and regular basis. The first clnematographe (an early name for films) shown In the
Wimmera area was at the original Mechanics Institute Hallin Firebrace St. (This hall was builtin 1872 and
destroyed by fire on 30 October, 1906. A new Mechanics Hall was buillln late 19091n Pynsent St). The Newbury-
Spade Concert Company presented a show on 9 February. 1697. A week later another competitor, the Star
Clnematographe, arrived in Horsham (1 }.

An Interesting experiment was trialled In Wilson St. On a site, now occupied by the Picture Hall Victoria Buildings,
a screen was erected above the roof line of the former shops. Films were projected from the verandah of the
Royal Hotel opposite and they were viewed free by any one In the street. This "show" was subsequently shifted
to a more suitable location in Firebrace Street (1). II is not known if the Picture Hall Buildings were used for
screenings.

The original Town Hall was opened In Wilson St. on 14 June, 1686, and this hall housed the Victoria Picture
Theatre which was operated In 1913/14 (at least) by the Victoria Picture Company. The manager was a J.
Tarnowskl (4). In May 1915 a dayblll poster also lisled lhe screening of films by Empire Pictures in the Town
Hall. This building was later replaced wllh a new Town Hall.

At least two open air theatres functioned for many years. These venues tended to operate In fine weather on a
seasonal basis. One such venue was situated In the back yard of the Wimmera Shire Council's offices. Known
as the Soldiers Pictures lhis show was situated In Roberts St.. at the comer of Flrebrace St .. and is thought to
date from 1918 (9). Henry Northey and Norman Beck were recorded as the Council's lessors and exhibitors In
1921 (2).

Soldiers Pictures

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