Page 18 - CinemaRecord #76C

n February 1883, Henry (Harry) Gratton Harry secured a job as a labourer with H.V. Meanwhile in Brunswick the construction
Iwas born in Manchester, England. McKay (Sunshine Harvesters) Engineering of a new picture theatre, The Empire, was
Company where he lasted for one week. under-way. The architectural design and fit-
After having reached third grade schooling out was similar to the Moonee Ponds (1911)
standard, Harry commenced work at the age Following this experience, he approached and Northcote (1912) theatres. The purpose
of 11 years, with Crossley Brothers. Ltd, the Melbourne Branch of Crossley built picture theatre was being erected on the
Manchester, where he trained as a fitter. Brothers and by demonstrating his ability site of the former Retreat Open-Air show.
In August 1905, Henry married Florence at being able to test a Crossley engine, he
Duggins who gave birth to their four children: was at once taken on. The Empire Picture Theatre Company was
Florence, Henry Jnr, Lena and Fred. formed by Thomas Crisp, a wealthy Sydney
His first job was to overhaul the Crossley Road, Real Estate Agent. Other investors
Over time in his employment at Crossley Gas Engine at the Red White and Blue that formed the board of directors were
Bros, Harry Snr. became involved with the Mine in Bendigo. local businessmen, Thomas Passfield, John
Union movement, making him somewhat Connelly and Doctor R.W. Kiel.
unpopular with the establishment.
At this time Brunswick did not have a
During 1911 after going on strike in reticulated electricity supply, so the theatre
sympathy with other men of the union, Harry directors undertook to install a Crossley
was dismissed from Crossley Bros, and not Gas Engine generating plant. Harry was
seeing much of a future in England the family commissioned to undertake the installation,
packed up and immigrated to Australia. to be housed in a brick plant room abutting
David Street, situated behind the theatre.
Arriving in Melbourne they soon settled in
th
inner-northern suburb of Brunswick, and it was The opening date of 27 June, 1912 for the
here their third child, daughter Lena was born. newly constructed Empire Theatre was fast
approaching, and the management became
rather concerned that should they experience
Retreat Picture-Show, Brunswick any difficulty with the Crossley generating
plant. How could they ensure reliable
conduct of their new picture-theatre? With
the possibility of a breakdown the Empire
Picture Theatre Company offered Harry the
job as theatre engineer.
In a testimonial to Harry at his retirement
in 1954, the M.H.R. for Burke, E.W.
Peters recounted – “Some like myself will
remember Neil Gows’ Open-Air Theatre
on the land where the Empire now stands.
The shows were punctuated by breaking
films and sometimes ended very early
because of rain. The Empire that took
its place was regarded as the last thing
in luxury and efficiency, with its padded
seats, carpeted floors and courteous staff
elegantly attired. There we saw Max
Linder, Mary Pickford, Tom Mix, Charlie
Chaplin and others.”

18 2012 CINEM AREC ORD