Page 30 - RD_2015_12

Issue 38 ran the photo (left) on the
inside back cover. It is an example of
confusion in identification caused by a
theatre make-over. Donated to CATHS
as a photo of the Grand Coburg, the
accuracy of this claim was later
queried when a different photo of the
Grand (from someone who would
know) was received.
CATHS member Steve Walsh of
the Rex Charlton assessed that the
picture was a Hoyts house. Because of
the shallow rake of the balcony Steve
suggested that it was a theatre that did
not have an lounge foyer beneath the
balcony. If it wasn’t the Grand, then
he nominated the Waratah Ascot Vale.
That was a good try Steve, but we
had misled you. A closer look for
comparative photos showed that it was
in fact the Grand prior to a 1940
update, also by Cowper, Appleford
and Murphy. The Waratah shared the
same body shape, but the clincher was
the match up of the simple ceiling
patterns with the Grand before and
after the changes. The re-vamped
interior is shown below.

30 2003 CINEMARECORD