Page 12 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Seats were able to be booked for 1/6d. (15c) and stalls 2/- (20c)
The erection of the palatial Lyric theatre showed the confidence the Directors. Messrs. Alf E. Wallis, W.A.
Reynell, H.P. Steward and W. Hampton and shareholders had in the film business and the future of Bendigo.
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In later years the excellent tearooms were annexed by the management for offices, and the roof garden too
gave way to necessitous changes.
8
On Friday, September 21st, 1930, the Lyric closed for alterations and reopened Saturday, 4th October with
'Lyric Grand Talkies", presenting 1 00 per cent talking and singing "Song 0 My Heart" with the golden voice of
John McCormack. The sound system chosen was the Western Electric system. The accommodation had been
reduced to 1,600, this and other expenditure presented an outlay of pounds 10,000 ($20,000).

Apart from its structural aspects the Lyric Theatre had claim to notice because of its original orchestra. The
first leader was Mr. Alex Stewart, widely known in both metropolitan and provincial musical circles. After Mr.
Stewart departed from Bendigo, Mr. Oscar Flight, Manager of Allans at Bendigo took over control and de-
lighted audiences with an accomplished band of musicians for many years. Eventually Mr. Flight resigned the
leadership and Mr. Sam White of the Capitol Theatre, Melbourne, became conductor of the Lyric until the
advent of vocal film.

In December 1934, with the Plaza
Theatre being constructed nearby
9
in Mitchell Street, the Lyric closed
Lyric Perfect ·Talkies for alterations and beautification,
and reopened on Boxing Day. One
of the most outstanding improve
10
ments was an entirely new pro
Coming Sat. 11th March scenium. The square appearance
\£13;> at the stage end was removed to
Direct (rom a Record-breaking give a more modern design. The
old windows and port holes set high
Melbourne Season in the side walls had been adorned
with immense grilles 20 ft high,
each fitted with 58 lamps hidden
'THE ROAD TO RENO' being obtained.
behind with varying hues of light

Harmonising with the lighting ef
fects in the grilles were three enor
(Not Suitable for General Exhibition)
mous electrollers, each six feet in
A New Slant on America's Divorce diameter, suspended from the ceil
ing. Each composed of pyramidi
Centre ! cal glass with ribs of plain metal,
two light components employed
gave the huge lamps the most
With the Brilliant Associate Subject · modern effect in illumination. One
illuminating the whole auditorium,
''Goodbye Broad~ay•• the other a blue glow giving an at
mospheric effect on the ceiling.
The side splays and the ceiling
(For General Exhibition) above the stage now converged
Co--Featuring Alice Brady and towards the screen, making a
marked improvement in the gen
Charles Winninger eral appearance.
The stage area had been reno
vated and decorated with new
stage curtains of gold and green
SHOWING TWICE DAILY 2.15 & 8 P.M.
automatically operated from the
For Six Matinees and Six Nights bio-box. The interior walls were
coated in a pleasing textured fin
I Country ol orillD-.~•au·nli:l. ish, the colours grading from nut
brown to fawn. The three foyers