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During the mid 1920’s a s a
During the mid 1920’
number of other purpose-built umber of other purpose-built
n
picture-theatres were constructed in
picture-theatres were constructed in
t the district, these being the Waratah he district, these being the Waratah
an
and New Ascot at Ascot Vale, the d New Ascot at Ascot Vale, thet
S
Southern Cross at Essendon and the outhern Cross at Essendon and the
N
New Essendon at North Essendon. ew Essendon at North Essendon.
B
By 1927 the Moonee Ponds Theatre y 1927 the Moonee Ponds Theatre
was operating as part of the Union
was operating as part of the Union
Theatres chain. This came about as eatres chain. This came about as
Th
a result of the two major exhibition
a result of the two major exhibition
c companies, Hoyts and Union theatres ompanies, Hoyts and Union theatres
monopolising the available film supply. onopolising the available film supply.
m Above: Early 1920s façade.
Right: 1917 Bio-Box Fire.
Under Union Theatres there was greater nder Union Theatres there was greater
U
access to
access to film product.film product.
“One of the Union Theatres”
U
Upon the retirement of Mr J. C. pon the retirement of Mr J. C.
Langley, after nine years as the second , after nine years as the second
Langley
From a high to a low, nine months , nine months
manager, Harry Gyles who also had From a high to a low
manager, Harry Gyles who also had
an interest in the establishment of
an interest in the establishment of l later in March 1932 when after ater in March 1932 when after
Harry Gyles had locked up after the y Gyles had locked up after the
the New Ascot Theatre, (Essendon Harr
the New Ascot Theatre, (Essendon
s
Theatres P/L) was appointed manager 1932 show and returned to his home in how and returned to his home in
Theatres P/L) was appointed manager
at Moonee Ponds about the time of
at Moonee Ponds about the time of Ascot Vale he was kidnapped outside
Ascot Vale he was kidnapped outside
the Union Theatres takeover. his house, bound, blindfolded and
the Union Theatres takeover.
his house, bound, blindfolded and
gagged by assailants who bundled
gagged by assailants who bundled
As a Union theatre it was closed for a
As a Union theatre it was closed for a him into his car and he was taken
him into his car and he was taken
week in September 1929 while being back to the theatre in the early hours
back to the theatre in the early hours
week in September 1929 while being
wired for sound, the first theatre in
wired for sound, the first theatre in of the morning.
of the morning.
the district to present the talkies with
the district to present the talkies with
Clive Brook and Baclanova in The He was forced to unlock the safe from
Clive Brook and Baclanova in The
He was forced to unlock the safe from
Dangerous Woman. where the thieves helped themselves to
Dangerous Woman.
where the thieves helped themselves to
35 Pounds, 13 shillings and ten pence,
35 Pounds, 13 shillings and ten pence,
In July 1931 renowned soprano, Gladys being the previous night’s takings. The
In July 1931 renowned soprano, Gladys
being the previous night’s takings. The
Moncrief performed for four nights at thieves returned and released Harry near
thieves returned and released Harry near
Moncrief performed for four nights at
to his home, unharmed but badly shaken.
the theatre.
the theatre. to his home, unharmed but badly shaken.
The thieves were never apprehended.
The thieves were never apprehended.
As the great depression gathered
As the great depression gathered
pace by the end of 1933 over 1000
pace by the end of 1933 over 1000
people attended the first Community
people attended the first Community
Singing day sponsored by the
Singing day sponsored by the
Moonee Ponds Traders Association
Moonee Ponds Traders Association
of which Harry Gyles was president.
of which Harry Gyles was president.
The Community Singing program
The Community Singing program
continued for many years.
continued for many years.
After a short closure in March 1934
After a short closure in March 1934
the theatre was given a make-over and
the theatre was given a make-over and
as the depression receded the business
as the depression receded the business
continued to prosper.
continued to prosper.
In June of that year, Radio Station
In June of that year, Radio Station
3UZ conducted the Test Match
3UZ conducted the Test Match
Broadcast at the conclusion of the
Broadcast at the conclusion of the
evening program. The Broadcast
evening program. The Broadcast
commenced at 11pm and continued to
commenced at 11pm and continued to
3am, keeping listeners in touch with
3am, keeping listeners in touch with
the progress of the match between
the progress of the match between
the English and Australian
the English and Australian
Enclosed façade
cricket teams being played
with vertical sign. cricket teams being played
in England.
in England.
14 2011 CINEMAREC ORD