Page 13 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37
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to secure seats. The best seats were  Marysville, had this responsibility  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
          considered to be in the three back  from 1960 to 1965 when he took over  My thanks to the many people who
          rows to the left of the entrance. To  the mail run from Lilydale to   scratched their memory banks to supply
                                                                                information, some of whom were: Graeme
          boast of a permanent booking there  Alexander. This system continued
                                                                                Weinberg, Elsie Jowett (the oldest living
          meant that you were ‘made’ socially  until the theatre closed.
                                                                                resident in Marysville), Mary Kenealy of
          in the town!                          Jim Wallace had so much pull in  the Marysville Historical Society, Ted
             The ushers were locals and did not  the district that when a branch from a  Greatorex, Healsville Historical Society,
          have to wear uniforms. Knowing all the  large street tree fell on his other pride  Mountain View Mail, Delice Guscott of
          townspeople made for friendly greetings  and joy, a green Jaguar, he had the  The Triangle Newsletter, Jill Manders
          and laughter. Jim insisted that any  council cut down the tree. Apart from  (Jim's daughter), Michael Darmody, John
          larrikin who made "loud kissing noises"  running the theatre, Jim played  Cartright and David Perry. Pat and Harry
          in a romantic scene, or misbehaved in  saxophone and banjo in a band and  Whitley remember the theatre as a
          any way, was shown the door.       belonged to golf, tennis, and bowling  highlight in their life. Peter Dickinson was
                                                                                an usher there and Ted Greatorex enjoyed
             Advertising slides seem to have  clubs. He was involved with the   his time as a projectionist from 1941-43.
          been part of the presentation, at least for  Progress Association and the local  Thank you all!
          some years, but local businesses did not  church. He was a busy man and
          participate. This was often the way in a  enjoyed it. The words “astute, honest,  REFERENCE
          small town. No slide on a screen could  hard-working, upright and respected”  Health Commission File: Marysville
                                                                                Theatre. Public Records Office, Victoria.
          tell locals anything new or change their  are used by the townspeople today
          opinion about a business and out-of-  who remember the couple.
          towners were captive shoppers for a   In 1973 Jim and Marj decided that
          short time. If a business in another town  after nearly 43 years of running a
          had a slide on the screen they might  successful movie house, it was time to
          pick up a few of the visitors as they  move on. They bought a home in
          explored the district.             Ringwood to be closer to their
             Billboards placed around town and  daughters. A joyful dinner dance
          in the guest houses advertised the  tinged with sadness was held for Jim
          programs. The theatre did not advertise  and Marj at the Marysville Hotel in
          in the local paper. The films shown  May 1980.
          were frequently pre-city and always   Michael Darmody, the son of the
          pre-suburban. (Jim had some great  publican purchased the theatre,
          contacts.) Audiences were not only  bringing in a projectionist from
          locals and holiday makers but people  Alexander. But the writing was on the
          from Narbethong, Buxton, and       wall. Marylands Guest House was also
          Taggerty. Getting together at the movies  showing films. When Michael sold up,
          was a social highlight. Several locals  the seating went to a local farmer for
          commented that if it hadn't been for the  the comfort of the farmers attending
          local theatre they may have lived  his cattle auctions.
          elsewhere as entertainment was sparse  One of the projectors was installed
          and radio reception was not the best.  in a private house and the other in a
             Refreshments were not sold in the  theatre, but which theatre has not
          foyer. Before the show and at Interval  come to light.
          patrons went to the general store/milk  The building became an Arts
          bar for sweets and the Sporting Globe  and Craft Centre for two years then
          on Saturday evenings. The rustle of  the Pumpernickel Restaurant in 1977.
          paper was a familiar sound as patrons  It is now the In Neutral Restaurant.
          sat reading in their seats. (Something I  There are few reminders of its days as
          don't recall in city theatres.)    a theatre, not even the outline of the
             After the movies, many patrons  bio box that gave many people in this
          went across the river to the Crossways  small township 43 years of
          restaurant which often served supper  entertainment and social togetherness.
                                                                                From top: Proud owners – Daughter
          with live entertainment of a Saturday  The theatre was the unwitting  Marie, Marj, and Jim Wallace front of
          night. There were no matinees on a  cause of a divorce. One female patron  house. The lobby cards are for
          Saturday or a weekday. Occasionally  who lived not far from Buxton, was  Columbia’s The Swordsman (1947).
          the theatre was used for church or  often dropped off by her husband who
          school concerts.                   was not very keen on movies, and   A sad interior before the conversion
             The films were picked up at     picked up after the show.          began in 1976.
          Lilydale Railway Station and brought  Unfortunately, on three occasions he
          in on the tourist bus. From 1954 to  fell asleep at home and his wife had to
          1960 they were picked up and       walk the long trip home. The third
          returned by the mail van. John     time finished their relationship.  ★
          Cartwright, who still lives in


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