Page 9 - CR31R.pdf

Hoyts acquisition of the Ozone chain c1966) as well as at
in urban and country South Australia. the two Drive-In
A standby generator plant was theatres (until 1979
installed in 1961 at the back of the and 1984).
stage house (on the right hand side). The Mildura
Being virtually at the end of the Development
Victorian “ power line” necessitated Corporation then
the installation of this equipment to decided to build a brand new smaller
ensure continuity of supply. The cinema in 1975, called the Deakin,
growth of competition from television which is situated in Deakin Avenue.
(introduced into the Sunraysia district This cinema began as a single screen,
in the 1960’s ) and the opening of two became a twin and finally, after the
drive-in theatres in the city (in 1958 acquisition of another property, a four
and 1963) contributed to the decline in screen venue in 1996. The Deakin
attendances at the Ozone. The theatre Cinema Complex is now the sole
closed on Wednesday 23 June, 1971 commercial cinema operating in the
with a screening of “Ryan’s Sunraysia District. ★
Daughter” and Mr. H.C. Williamson References:
of Hoyts Theatres Ltd. (S.A) advised Colin S Flint (CATHS-V member)
the Victorian Health Department that The Building Magazine-24 March, 1939
the theatre was to be sold for The Film Weekly - 7 September, 1939
redevelopment. Victorian Public Records Office
“Builders of Melbourne” – Mary Turner Shaw.
The theatre stood dark for some
Photos: CATH’s Archives Ads: G. Kennedy
years and almost experienced a re-
opening by the South Mildura
Development Corporation (Mr. E.
Andriske, Secretary) who were the
operators of the Crossroads Drive-In
Theatre, in 15th St. However the
company decided that restoration of
the theatre would be too costly; the
costs of operation too high, and the
size of the house inappropriate for
modern screening policies.
The theatre was eventually
demolished and a new Commonwealth
Bank building was built on the site.
After the closure of the Ozone (the
last hardtop in the area), films were
screened on a regular basis in the
Mildura Arts Centre Theatre (built
CINEMARECORD 2002 9