Page 16 - CinemaRecord #84

CAPITOL THEATRE, MILDURA accessed through these exits. The extensive
decoration was achieved by the use of “plastic
The Theatre Beautiful By Gerry Kennedy cement”, which also provided excellent
acoustics. The stage curtains were made of
silk. Washingtons supplied all the soft
furnishings.
ildura is located in the fruit growing motifs. A large vertical neon sign was fitted to
Mdistrict at the north-west corner of the façade. The stalls had two aisles, and the latest flip up
Victoria, some 480 km north-north-west of upholstered seats by Wards (Melbourne) were
Melbourne and, over the years, has sustained The theatre was entered via a short arcade, then used. They were covered in cream, fawn and
several cinemas. through glass doors to an inner foyer. Deep brown tonings with gold piping. The circle
piled carpets were used throughout. Two staff was fitted with chairs in the same tonings. The
The retailing firm of Washingtons Pty. Ltd. doors opened onto the entry arcade - one for rows were widely spaced for comfort and ease
decided to move into the film business, and the candy bar, and the other for ticket sales. of access. The seating capacity was 800 (stalls
formed the company "Murray Valley Theatres Upon entering the small foyer the stalls 500, circle 300). There were four price levels
Ltd." On 3 April 1935, the prolific theatre entrance was straight ahead. The circle was - front stalls, back stalls, circle and circle
architects Cowper, Murphy and Appleford, accessed by stairs-cases to the left and right lounge.
applied to the Victorian Health Department for hand sides. At the first landing the stairs were
approval to alter and extend retail premises joined by a cross gangway (under the rake of There were no exposed lights on the ceiling.
The side-walls were lit by trough mounted and
bracket fittings. Backlighting was also
provided through patterned grills on the
splayed walls. Attractive coloured lighting
changes were possible.
The projection booth was situated at the rear
of the circle, housing the latest Benbow
machines, manufactured in South Australia.
Projection lenses were by J.H. Dallmeyer of
London, and the sound amplifiers were
designed and built by R. Alexander, the brother
of the exhibitor. The Capitol was one of the
few theatres equipped with Western Electric’s
"Wide Range Sound Reproduction" process.
Speakers were by Jensen and the screen was
made of perforated rubber, surfaced with Duco.

Mechanical ventilation was provided by means
of ducted, fan forced air. These ducts led to
perforated outlets on each side of the
proscenium. The ducts also extended to grill
outlets under the circle rake and in the stair
risers of the circle. A 6 ft. diameter fan pushed
Former Capitol Theatre building
the air through a "washing" process.
the circle) which led to the final staircase to
owned by Washingtons at 39 Langtree Ave., the left hand side. This staircase led directly to Building works took 6 weeks, with up to 70
into a modern picture theatre, the Capitol. the cross aisle of the circle. A small manager's men on the site at any one time. The result,
Mr. C.J. Washington was the spokesman for office was built under the left hand staircase. from plans and text descriptions, was one of a
the Company. most attractive and comfortable theatre with
The pillars supporting the upper floor were the latest in projection and equipment. This
The site was small for a theatre, measuring removed and replaced with horizontal girders. was typical of architectural style in previous
only 9.9 m x 46.5 m (33' x 155'). Nevertheless, The auditorium featured a parabolic floor to cinemas and later new and refurbished cinemas.
the architects were able to design an attractive, improve sight lines in the stalls. Decorative
intimate venue. The theatre was built on two plaster panels were fitted between the piers. Washingtons applied to the Health Department
levels and was of brick and steel construction. The side-walls were splayed to the proscenium to open the theatre on the night of 14 June 1935
The exterior of the building was refurbished of the deep stage. These walls included left and and large advertisements were placed in local
into a modern façade including some art deco right hand exits leading to corridors on each newspapers. However, because of the delay in
side of the stage The back yard toilets were completion, an advertisement was placed in

16 CINEMARECORD # 84