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By IAN SMITH

he Apollo had a short life as an On the question of aisle lights, the There was also personal discord. In
T independent cinema when the Fathers explained that the white ceiling May 1936 the ads told the public that
Glen closed its doors in about 1933. reflected sufficient light from the Gladys Young (sister–in–law of the late
The Glen was near the railway bridge screen (presumably in practice runs) Florence Young, Australia’s noted
along Glenferrie Road and Hoyts for patrons to find their way out singer) is the sole lessee of the Apollo
Palace was further north on the same without additional illumination. The theatre. Within a fortnight the text had
side of the road. The Apollo around Department waived the need for aisle changed to Under New Management.
the corner in Burwood Road was only lights in the stalls, but insisted on them The new lessee Mr. David Laidlaw
a proposition while the Glen remained for the balcony. brought The Apollo into the
shuttered. The Apollo was opened by the Independent Theatres column. Zarf
The new theatre was an initiative of Mayor of Hawthorn on Saturday 29 Rivers and His Orchestra played on
the Jesuit Order of the Immaculate September 1934. The Hawthorn Saturday nights from 7.30 to 8.00 pm.
Conception Church on the corner of Standard was complimentary. ‘The By this time The Apollo was the only
Burwood and Glenferrie Roads. The lighting, which has special dimming theatre in the suburbs to claim an
Apollo was the church’s re-badged and colour devices, will be a feature orchestra as an added attraction.
Manresa Hall, built in 1924. Like never before seen in the district. The Aspects of the Apollo were capable
many church halls in the inner city and beautiful interior has lent itself of impressing experts. After casting
fringe, it is a substantial building. admirably to lighting.’ The paper around for a heating system for the
Manresa Hall was built for dances, emphasized the local and independent Carnegie Theatre, Hoyts chief
socials, concerts and meetings. A aspects of the venture. The lessee Mr. engineer Trevor Hedberg told the
kindergarten was opened in 1929. Big George Young was ‘brother of (the Health Department that the choice
attendances at dances must have been singer) Florence Young and Mrs. would probably be similar to the
anticipated. The Typhoon Ventilation Young is the manager.’ The choice of installation at the Apollo.
System was put in well before the idea opening feature, Paramount’s Cradle The Glen re-opened in 1939. A
of seeking registration as a theatre. A Song in which an abandoned baby, bare-bones structure had been
more elaborate version of the Typhoon raised by nuns, must later make the transformed into a modern cinema.
system had been installed in the New choice between the veil and the outside The Apollo slogged on for another two
Malvern three years earlier. world, was possibly a diplomatic weeks before conceding.
The Church submitted choice made in consultation with the If there are church files, photos and
specifications for a bio-box, motor Fathers. memorabilia of the Apollo years they
room and re-wind room in 1934. This The Apollo advertised first in the have not come to light. Some questions
addition took over the external balcony local Hawthorn paper. For the first beg for an answer. Although the theatre
that gave a view on to Burwood Road. year its tag line was The All Australian was conducted on an owner-tenant
The bio-box also protruded into the Independent Theatre – Where Sound basis, to what extent was congregation
gallery, reducing the seating capacity Sounds Best. loyalty a factor in audience numbers?
of an already small space to about 150. The venture seems to have been a Was the theatre’s ability to field an
Windows were covered in with fibro middling success. The first shadow orchestra based on talent found within
cement sheets. A raked floor was built was the opening of the Vogue the congregation, a case of parishioners
‘to prevent craning of the neck,’ as the Hawthorn in 1936; a bus and tram ride happy to perform more for love than
local paper explained. After inspecting west, but enough competition for the money? Or was it an orchestra of
the new floor The Department of Health block ad. to now suggest Make a habit professionals who did two engagements
wrote to the Father In Charge to express of tuning to 3AW at 8.30 am and 7.15 per night; first at the theatre then around
regret that the Department had not been pm daily for our programs. It did not the corner at the Ziegfeld Palais (or
told before the work started. Their help that access to MGM or Paramount some other dance venue)?
expertise could have avoided the extra films was fourth week out from the In 1940 the Church renewed the
expense now necessary because the new city. At other times the Apollo took seats in the stalls and reduced their
steps and ramps into the hall first suburban release of ‘throw-aways’ number from 650 to 530. This upgrade
contravened regulations. such as Columbia (British) product. suggested that the Fathers were

16 2003 CINEMARECORD