Page 13 - CinemaRecord #85

In early 1931 the Union’s Hall Committee
decided to add a balcony to the theatre and
equip the hall for talking pictures.
The Powlett Express of 11 November 1931
reported on the renovations. The new balcony,
to cater for 230 patrons is equipped with a
double row of luxurious lounges and 182
spring edged tip-up seats. The whole roof has
been treated for sound absorption. This work
has been done by Taylor and Sollieux the
acoustic architects who did similar acoustics
work in Parliament House Canberra. 390 tip
up seats have been placed in the body of the
hall. A special screen has been procured and
an R.C.A. talkie machine has been installed.

The Union Theatre screened its first talking
picture, The Smiling Lieutenant starring
Maurice Chevalier, on 23 December 1931. As
theatre manager Jim McCully’s publicity
Union Theatre prior to redevelopment.
“stunts” filled the theatre and kept it right at
Over the years the Union Theatre was to Seating at the Union was Spartan consisting the centre of life in the town.
undergo two major redevelopments. From of high back forms about 18 feet long.
December 1924 the first part of the building to The early 1930s were difficult times for
be used were the Union offices and the The Union Band often played outside the Wonthaggi, black coal production had more
committee room. The cinema component was theatre on Saturday nights. Competition than halved, workers wages were cut by a third
not to follow for some time due mainly to a between the three film venues became fierce and 360 miners had lost their jobs. Benefit
seven-week strike, which diverted the Union and showmanship reigned supreme. Talkie dances and social nights were held at the
funds into relief projects. There were
difficulties in acquiring films because of
monopolistic distributor practices. In the
meantime balls, dancing and mixed evenings
(singing and dancing) were held.
Eventually an agreement was made to share
films with the neighboring Crystal Palace.
Staff were appointed to operate the film nights
(Saturday and Sunday). The other nights of
the week balls, concerts and sporting functions,
especially boxing, were held at the Union. The
union and political activities kept the Union
Theatre alive and the theatre and its offices
became the hub for meetings, benefits and fund
raising. The biggest balls were held there by
all manner of churches and sporting clubs.
Travelling live shows also came to the Union.
By 1923 the population of Wonthaggi had
grown to 12,000.

On Saturday 6 June, 1925 the first film show The Plaza Theatre, formerly the Soldiers Memorial Hall
took place at the Union. The program
consisted of “The New Moon” starring Norma films such as the Jazz Singer and Broadway Theatre and unemployed union members were
Talmadge supported by a Fox comedy “Upon Melody came to Wonthaggi in 1929, soon after given free tickets to the Union Theatre.
the Farm”. The Union became the third cinema opening in Melbourne but not to the Union By 1934 the miner’s resentment of the low
in the town after the Crystal Palace and the Theatre, rather to the Soldiers (later the Plaza wages, poor working conditions and
Soldiers Memorial Hall / Plaza Theatre. Theatre). Old Arizona was followed by autocratic management actions resulted in a
Innocents of Paris and
Union Theatre after remodeling 1939 strike that lasted for five months.
Louise: It is likely that the
old Crystal Palace had
ceased screening at this The Union Theatre’s facilities, including the
stage. kitchens, became the centre of relief
operations and food distribution for the
distressed members and their families.
It took two more years
before the Union Theatre
showed its first sound film. In 1935 the Wonthaggi Miners’ Women’s
This was due to the Auxiliary was formed, the first miners’
economic circumstances of women’s organisation in Australia and was
union members. Coal to be followed by many around the nation.
production had peaked in From then until the mines closed in 1968 the
1929-30 and the following Auxiliary had a very close association with
decline, due to the the Union Theatre. It met there fortnightly
depression, left the miners and the Auxiliary clubroom (in the basement
working a short week.

CINEMARECORD # 85 13