Page 23 - CR

JUNE
1913

Competition could not have been too bad,
for the Wondergraph company soon built
their own grand Wondergraph picture-
palace nearby in the same street! “This
early Australian Picture Palace could easily
rival the Hoyts Deluxe in Melbourne for
interior decoration.” JAN
During the season there was a Vice Regal 1920
Command Night with ‘Glorious Musical However by 1957 the Wondergraph (by
items by De Groen’s Grand Augmented then renamed the Civic) had fallen into a
Orchestra’ paving the way for another catch poor state - smelly and musty. Norman B
phrase, “West’s Vice Regal Orchestra”. Rydge was at the helm of Greater Union
Theatres and a decision was made to rebuild.
While Wests screened Quo Vadis, Wondergraph The Civic was gutted and all that remained
advertised ‘Talking Pictures’ at the Town Hall. were the two side and rear walls and roof,
West’s responded advertising: ‘EDISON’S and the new State Cinema was built within.
KINETOPHONE by the Wizard of Sound and
Light THOMAS A. EDISON – MOVING I recall there were a few leadlight windows
PICTURES THAT TALK – DO NOT FORGET remaining from the Wondergraph days.
WEST’S PROMISED “QUO VADIS” and now Also still in the ceiling was a timber hexagon
WEST’S PROMISE the very latest invention where the dome had been Some wallpaper
for producing TALKING PICTURES. Time and a few signatures survived on a basement
will tell - West’s will again keep their word. kitchen wall of “The Dragon Inn” a tenant at
BEWARE OF IMITATORS.’ the Hindley Street end of the State Theatre
building. That was all that remained of
West’s Adelaide showed ‘talkies’ for the the Wondergraph.
first time during the season of Quo Vadis
with synchronised sound and film! Perhaps Recently I was in the building when it was being
making it the first picture-theatre in Australia fitted out as the “City Nightclub” and a leadlight
with synchronised sound in 1913? was being removed! I raced back to my car for
my camera and captured the 1.2mtr (approx.)
spectacular circular leadlight window. I was
given a guided tour in exchange for sharing my
memories but asked not to take anymore photos.

Up in the ceiling we went (3 floors up) and
all the planks I trod replacing lights many
years before were still there! The neons were
smashed but the ceiling contours were intact
including the large curves down to the stage
and now in view (the right way) from the new
upper dance area. The upstairs foyer still has
the doorways leading into the circle (the raked
floor removed) and the projection room has the
rear wall removed and now houses small air-
conditioning units under cover. The large York
air-conditioner which once serviced the entire
building is only an exhaust fan with all the roof
condensers removed.

The old State sign has a rounded top and
Talkies in a triangle bottom added, and now reads
1913? ‘City Nightclub’. From over the road on the
top floor of the car park (site of the former
Theatre Royal), I managed to get a photo
of the sign and projection room remnants. It
was a treasured day for me.

CINEM AREC ORD 2012 23