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Works, one of two quarries west of the
Junction, what he saw convinced him
that a purpose-built theatre would be a
good investment.
In the eastward progress of cinema
construction from 1911, Camberwell
had been overlooked. Hawthorn had a
purpose-built theatre, and so did
Canterbury, further east. The immediate
Junction area was a bit of a struggle
town, with many streets of poor
cottages, their residents unlikely to be
regular patrons.
Although a cheap source of bricks
would defray costs, Holland was unable
to convince his fellow directors at the
brick works of the merits of his plan.
One friend, David Pollard of the
drapery firm Love and Pollard, in
Chapel Street Prahran, did offer
financial support.
Progress on the building did not
change the view of locals; Holland was
going to lose his money. The outbreak
of war in 1914 strengthened this
opinion; men were enlisting and
leaving the neighbourhood.
Despite the doomsayers, the
Camberwell Picture Theatre was
packed for the opening in September
1914. On the upstairs verandah Top: Opening night. The Hawthorn and Camberwell Advertiser, 28
Oglesby’s brass band entertained the September 1914.
street crowds while Ruffin’s Orchestra
Above: An aerial view of the Junction looking north east c.1919. Holland’s
of ten performers played inside. Mr.
theatre has its original balcony verandah. Some shops closer to the corner
Ruffin was a plumber and a fine cornet
will be demolished to make way for the Rivoli.
player and his daughter Nonie played
the cello. Mrs. Westaway, wife of the
one of Pathe Freres’ latest machines, Holland went to see George Griffiths,
butcher was the pianist.
and is entirely fireproof. (2) Managing Director of Hoyts with a
The local paper praised the theatre:
Films were shown Wednesday and proposal: bring Hoyts to Camberwell.
Among the recent additions to the
Saturday evenings. A vaudeville Griffiths agreed, and Hoyts took a lease
architectural features of Camberwell,
company played on a Monday, and a on Holland's theatre for ten years.
the new picture theatre… figures
local dance club on Tuesdays, for the Hoyts made a few alterations to The
largely. Erected in a substantial manner
duration of the war. The Camberwell Camberwell Picture Theatre before
of brick, the building is of the latest
Picture Theatre, always Hollands to reopening it in May 1921 as Hoyts
style and most approved design, and
the locals, was profitable beyond Camberwell Theatre, with this
with the spacious balcony will
expectations. invitation -
accommodate upwards of 1000 patrons.
In 1920 plans for two new theatres Certainly not a huge theatre, but
It is comfortably furnished, and on the
were announced. On the Burke Road certainly a cosy theatre where our
hottest nights a sliding roof affords
hill, above the railway station, Camberwell patrons may see the cream
ample ventilation. The theatre…can be
construction of Our Theatre began. of Hoyts city releases after their merit
used…as a dancing hall, and is also
available for meetings, socials etc., More ominous to Holland was the has been tested thoroughly at our
being replete with a spacious stage, offer from Robert McLeish to buy the Theatre De Luxe Melbourne. Book Your
cloak and dressing rooms. On the street Camberwell Picture Theatre or see a Seats. Plans on view every day from
frontage, two shops are erected, while state-of-the-art theatre go up close to it. 10.30 at our booking office, Hoyts
(3)
upstairs is a large hall 40 x 20 suitable Holland refused to sell, and watched as Theatre De Luxe Bourke Street.
for lodge meetings etc. Both ingress the Rivoli took shape almost next door. Then it was head-to-head
and egress of the theatre are provided The directors of Our Theatre and competition with Our Theatre and the
for by strongly built staircases, and the Robert McLeish had reasoned that Rivoli. Finally, Griffiths and Robert
whole is constructed under the full when the pressure came on, Holland McLeish, realizing that their interests
requirements of the board of health. would buckle. They misread the man. were better served with one less theatre,
The operating room, which is under the Knowing that an assured supply of put a proposition to Holland: close your
control of an expert, is equipped with quality film was the key to survival, theatre and continue to receive the
CINEMARECORD 2006 17