Page 20 - CinemaRecord #79
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THEATRE ON A RACECOU
obart, capital city of the island state of
HTasmania, proudly heralded the opening
of their first drive-in theatre, even beating Mascot “Elwick Eddie”.
Sydney (Australia’s largest city) to the punch!
Local and mainland finance was raised to
enable Northside Drive-In Theatres P/L. to
construct the Elwick Drive-In Theatre under
the guidance of company director and Chief
Administrative Officer, Bruce Selleck.
Completion of the 100,000-pound project took
six months and 22 days and few venues could
boast a finer location. With sweeping views
of both Mount Wellington and the Derwent
River, the 11-acre theatre was actually sited
in the unused centre section of the historic
Elwick Racecourse – an effective use of space.
Chairman of directors of the
company was the Lord Mayor of
Melbourne, Sir Frank Selleck who attended
the opening night on September 27, 1956 with
the Tasmanian Premiere of the film Pickwick Mount Wellington ranges at the rear.
Papers.
Public screenings commenced the next day Measuring 130ft by 40ft, the cafe originally
with two sessions nightly of the CinemaScope contained three distinct food and beverage
romantic-comedy Roman Holiday. areas including the 150-seat “Starlight Grill
Elwick chef prepares An experienced team opened the theatre, Bar” for hot meals; “The Milky Way” for
the food - 1956. headed by Allan Reed as Theatre Manager, drinks and ice-creams; and the aptly named
Peter Hahn in charge of the concessions and “Candyland” for sweets.
Neil Judge as Chief Projectionist. In later years, these would be consolidated into
one simplified self-serve arrangement.
The street entrance to the theatre featured a
neon illuminated arch that displayed program
information and from here cars drove across
the racetrack itself to the ticket box. The rows
of parking ramps could hold 568 cars with
room for expansion to 730. The individual in-
car speakers were originally equipped with a
call button for delivery of food to the vehicle.
Near the front of the parking
field, 285 light bulbs festooned the
perimeter of a brightly painted, combined
Cafe/Projection building. This was surrounded
by garden beds, and submerged some 12ft Elwick
below ground level to ensure good sightlines projection
Food tray delivery to cars - 1956. from cars behind. room in 1956.
20 2013 CINEM AREC ORD
