Page 17 - CR

Back Then...

West Brunswick - Western

Moonee Ponds

Following lunch, some of the group Looking down Barkly Street the
left the tour, the remainder boarding a towers of the former Barkly Theatre
Number 82 Moonee Ponds - Footscray (also recently converted to apartments)
tram from where en-route, the sites of were visible. Ascot Vale - Paramount
the former Ascot Vale Waratah, Rounding the Hopkins - Leeds
Paramount and New Ascot as well as Streets corner the Trocadero Theatre
Maribyrnong’s Sangstons’ Picture once located here was replaced in the
Gardens and Sunset (Hoyts Twin) late 1960s by the Trocadero Arcade,
Drive-In were seen. save for a section of the old theatre rear
As the tram entered central wall. On the left, the rather run-down
Footscray it passed the former Royal shop-fronts and first-floor offices of Ascot Vale - New Ascot
Hotel and its Royal Hall, once bland 1950s design mask the former
Footscray’s first theatre and now being continental house, the La Scala
converted to apartments. Cinema, one of the last single-screen
suburban theatres to be constructed.
Alighting from the tram at the
terminus we made our way into nearby
Footscray - Trocadero
Paisley Street where Shane continued
negotiations for access to the former
Grand Theatre, also in its centenary
year. After many weeks of negotiating
trying to get access, the theatre gods
must have been looking down, as the
owner emerged from across the road
Grand and opened the door, giving us free
range to photograph and explore.
Converted in the 1960s from a
1200-seat theatre to a smaller upstairs Footscray - Grand
cinema in the former balcony, time has
not treated the old Grand well.
Presently being used as a furniture
storeroom, a leaking roof has caused
damage to some of the 1930s makeover
Art-Deco plasterwork. A large crack, at
least 25mm wide, has opened-up on the
Grand
eastern-facing laneway wall.
One wonders for how much longer
this building can survive as Footscray
undergoes urban renewal.
All in all, this excursion to “the
west” was very much enjoyed and
appreciated by all who attended. Moonee Ponds - Moonee

Report by Ross King. Historic photos from the
Tour photographs by Brian Hunt and Kevin Adams Collection
Grand
Ross King.

CINEMARECORD 2011 17