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The capital was to be 10,000
shares at one pound per share
of which 1,000 pounds had been
allotted as paid up to the directors
who were:- Dr. H. P. Martell, J.P.,
Mr. L Salto (General Manager of Pathe`
Freres), Daniel Wilson, J.P., Cr. H. Parris
(Flemington), Solicitors – Cole and
O’Heare, and Bankers, the Union Bank
of Australia, Moonee Ponds.

Ten weeks after the first announcement
5,000 shares had been taken up of which
3000 were to local people, and the
Moonee Ponds Picture Theatre Company
became a reality.

The directors visited the newly opened St.
Kilda Theatre in Fitzroy Street, near the
George Hotel and opposite the railway
station. Here they found the plans to
be almost identical, however, Moonee
Ponds was larger and deeper with the
auditorium measuring 88 feet by 58 feet, Photographs: Note the similarities in design.
the stage 38 feet by 22 feet and the dress Opening night of the Moonee Ponds Theatre (above)
and the Northcote Theatre (below).
circle, 50 feet by 38 feet.
audiences. Brought to Australia by
a
St. Kilda Theatre
t theatrical entrepreneurs, the Tait Brothers,
t
this was one of the first (but short-lived)
colour projection systems.
So successful was the enterprise that after
only five months operation the Moonee
Ponds Theatre Company paid a handsome
dividend of two shillings.

As the business prospered continual
improvements were made to the theatre.
A veranda was added a year after opening,
Under the direction of the Amalgamated
Picture Company and management and in 1916, 600 chairs were replaced by
of Mr W. J. West, the Moonee Ponds up-to-date tip-up cushioned seats, making
Theatre Company opened their new the theatre one of the most comfortable in
Moonee Ponds Theatre to the public the metropolis.
on the 15 December, 1911 with the
th
film program of The Revenue Man and Verandah
the Girl, The Lure of Vanity and Calemo under
Turns Cabman. construction
1913
At the same time as the Moonee Ponds
Meanwhile back at the nearby Town Town
Meanwhile back at the nearby
Theatre was being constructed, Robert M
Ha
nd ndd
McLeish was successful in getting the Hall, on the 22 August 1918 under ll, on the 22 August 1918 under
Northcote Theatre Company established to t the management of Harry Gyles, he management of Harry Gyles,
T
Picturesctures
Hall
commenced mmenced
construct a picture theatre in High Street, Townown Hall Pi co
Northcote. The still intact Northcote s screenings, however this venture only lasted creenings, however this venture only lasted
a couple of years.
Theatre of near identical design to the a couple of years. About this time a proposal About this time a proposal
was submitted to convert an existing
Moonee Ponds Theatre will celebrate its was submitted to convert an existing
building in Margaret Street, opposite the
centenary in April 2012. building in Margaret Street, opposite the
railway station, to a picture theatre and
railway station, to a picture theatre and
cafe`. These plans never materialised,
The Moonee Ponds Theatre cafe`. These plans never materialised,
but the building remains and
introduced the Charles Urban but the building remains and
is now the Brotherhood of
Kinemacolor process to local is now the Brotherhood of
St Lawrence store.
St Lawrence store.
CINEMAREC ORD 2011 13