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From the Editor....

‘Old Bourke Street Melbourne’ could be called a theme for this issue. The
enterprise and imagination behind the construction of the Victoria Arcade, The
Palace Hotel and the two theatres the Bijou and the Gaiety in Bourke Street was
surely the stuff of a photographer’s dream. Yet the pictorial record is meagre, or at
least that part of it in the public domain, so that questions about the proximity and
orientation of the theatres and their relationship to the hotel, although it has been
described in words, has not been entirely satisfactory. In Palace of Wonders Frank
Van Straten goes as far as seems possible in unravelling the facts about a
The official journal of the Cinema And wonderful complex of buildings.
Theatre Historical Society Inc.
In the same part of town, the De Luxe theatre and its later metamorphosis as
Australia
the Esquire, proved to be another rich source of stories. CinemaRecord was
ISSN 1443-3664 • Published quarterly
★ especially fortunate in obtaining the help of the former manager of the Esquire,
Editor: Ian Smith Mr. Gil Whelan who corrects a couple of misconceptions about the theatre, and
★ who allowed publication of some less well known photos.
CinemaRecord Artwork: The more I think about this distinctive theatre, the more I realize that it must
Bill Kerr, Optimum Design 9419 4144 have consistently been one of the most profitable of the Hoyts city theatres. With
★ rents from the offices and shops front and back, never burdened with expensive
The main aim of CATHS and this
add-ons like stage shows, and with the Wurlitzer removed in the 1920s at the peak
publication is to accurately document and
of organ popularity, the overheads were always less for a theatre that only
create an archive of the history of
provided films, and in its final phase, some of the top attractions in town.
cinemas and theatres.
Input in the form of articles, If the 70mm years seem underdone in this account, it is because an in-depth
constructive criticism, and substantiated article on 70mm will be one of the attractions for next year. In fact some strong
dispute of printed matter is welcome, and reading is promised for the New Year. In the mean time, enjoy this larger holiday
necessary to enable us to reach our issue. – Ian Smith
objective.
Opinions expressed are those of the
Editor or contributors, and unless NOW SHOWING!
expressly stated so, are not necessarily
those of the Cinema And Theatre
Historical Society Inc.
Articles printed in CinemaRecord
4 Letters
should not be reproduced without the
permission of the author or the editor. 5 Newsreel
All photos are from the collection of
the person or organisation stated. Every 8 CATHS Tours The High Country - Brian Miller and Ian Smith
effort has been made to trace the
ownership of copyright. In the event of 12 Palace of Wonders - Frank Van Straten
any questions arising as to the use of any 17 After All There Is Only One Capitol
material, the author and publisher will be
happy to make the necessary corrections 18 CATHS Saturday Arvo Matinee
in future printings.
Contributions and suggestions for 20 From Hoyts De Luxe and Hoyts Esquire - Ian Smith and Eric White
CinemaRecord are most welcome. Please 28 My Esquire Years - Gil Whelan
contact the Editor if you are planning
to write an article for the magazine. 30 Through The Porthole - Peter Ricketts
We may be able to assist you with
information, contacts, etc and it will help 32 Just Switch It On - Peter Wolfenden
us with forward planning.
34 Press Pass At The Cross - Noel Kerr
★
Contact: Ian Smith
Telephone: 5443 0692 (1-9pm) Images in this publication are from CATHS Archive unless credited to another source.
Email: ijsmith@impulse.net.au
Cover: The timeless elegance of the balcony foyer of Hoyts Esquire in 1959 when
Postal Address: PO Box 476,
it had acquired the grand piano from the Plaza. See story pp 20-29.
Bentleigh, Victoria, 3204

CINEMARECORD 2005 3