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Opened in 1928 to a design by local Duty Manager Greg Gent said that Oatmill’s three screens seat 230,
architect Warburton Perry Knight, it is the former owner, (who retains a property 160 and 110 respectively. Bold use of
pleasing because it is different - in part interest) stipulated that any conversion colour - Cinema Three has blue walls,
carried off with aplomb, sometimes must be reversible. When standing on the red seats and geometric, overlapping
almost naïve. Described as Free original stage it was possible to see how wall panels in five other colours -
Classical Revival in style, high parapet this would be possible. works a treat.
walls either side of the stage, protecting Tina explained that the cinema is
Star, Portland (10,000)
windowed ‘rooms’ above, also suggest open seven days a week because
Generously curved walls and a ceiling
a nod to ‘atmospheric’ on a budget. restricted screenings create confusion.
of opaline lighting extending to the stage
The stage space is lower than the ‘Spur of the moment’ decisions can
show off art deco at its best, despite the
columns framing the proscenium. This mean good business, especially on very
ravages of time. The balcony has been
is original (see sketches by the hot or very cold days. The staff has
retained as the cinema and the new floor
architect), and was not, as first thought, grown to 18, with four full-time.
from balcony to stage conceals
a change to accommodate a heating
commercial premises beneath. Port Fairy (2,600)
plant installed in the 1930s.
The simplicity of design and its
The theatre is now part of a larger
effectiveness (even in a half theatre)
complex of buildings that includes an
made this inspection a treat.
indoor sports floor. Only the balcony
seats (193 of them) are used on film Oatmill Cinema, Mt Gambier
nights. (24,000)
Capitol Warrnambool
(Population 27,000)
Apart from their very different
facades, this Capitol has a sister in the
former Rex Daylesford, both designed In this coastal town - its original
in the 1920s by Charles Bohringer. Only name New Belfast accurately conveys
the balcony (Cinema One) shows off the its appearance - the Film Society has
original Spanish décor. It was a relief to taken on the task of keeping the cinema
step into this detailed space after the all- open and with council assistance, plans
curtain and otherwise featureless stalls to enhance it for live performance. The
of Cinemas Two and Three, formed by annual Folk Festival, when the
dividing the stalls lengthwise, and population swells to 10,000 is the
walling off the original stage. lifeblood of the enterprise.
What places this venue in a special
category is the Film Society’s ‘against
Oatmill manager Tina Watson in the odds’ attitude to survival.
discussion with President Gerry Kennedy.
Our hosts Hilary Reardon (daughter-
in-law of the builder/operator) and
How often is a modern cinema
George Dunnitt explained how the
found in a reproduction 19th century
Society is prepared to try everything to
skin? Set amongst historic mill
keep going: buying DVDs and hiring
buildings, the council stipulated that
them out to members, encouraging kids
any new building, even one built on
to play video games on the big screen,
what was waste ground, must match its
as well as monthly film shows with
surroundings.
CATHS’ own John Brown as
Whether it was this surprise at
projectionist. (See box next page)
finding a modern triple inside, or the
The cinema is typical of the 1950s
personality of manager Tina Watson
country work of cinema architects
who has run the cinema for four years,
Cowper Murphy and Associates. That is
it was a lift to the spirits after coming
to say, it is brutally functional. Whereas
from the sad arcade in the shell of the
wall piers in a 1910 cinema were
former Ozone/Odeon Star in the same
always disguised with a pilaster, in this
town.
1954 version there is no embellishment.
Tina explained that Oatmill owner
But so what? It was a cold and
Shane Ford pursued his dream to run a
blustery morning. The verandah pin
new cinema and convinced the banks to
lights were twinkling, just for us, and
help him realise it. The cinema will
things only got better. The Film Society
celebrate ten years this year. Shane’s
has installed hydronic heating at floor
company Landmark Cinema also
level behind each row of ‘balcony’ seats
screens in four other towns during
(a stadium design) and the rising
Walled-off stage box (top) and balcony school holidays.
warmth was magic.
today at the Capitol.
8 2007 CINEMARECORD