Page 34 - CinemaRecord #87

By Eric Reed

hese are my recollections of a much loved many cousins were about 10 years old, we canvas awnings supported with gold painted
Tcountry theatre that I knew when I was were allowed to go to the pictures on our own poles. Posters pinned on boards here and there
very young. I have not attempted to discover in the evening twice during the two weeks we along the walls advertised coming attractions.
who ran it at the time or since, nor have I listed were there. We walked, with torches, talking As far as I know, they were never stolen. It had
every program that was ever run there. I and giggling like kids do, from the small about 300 proper tip up theatre seats screwed
believe that we enjoy reading about the camping ground we occupied by the surf beach to the flat wooden floor. These were always
experiences of other like-minded people near the imposing lighthouse, along unlit, covered with a thin film of sand, due to the
because it reminds us of the wonderful times unmade streets without a second thought for proximity of the beach. The lighting was very
we have all spent watching other people's our safety. Point Lonsdale was, and still is, like basic, consisting of frosted glass bowls
troubles being played out on the silver screen that. hanging on chains from the ceiling, and there
in a darkened picture theatre. were no dimmers. The stage was about 15 feet
The theatre sat on the beach side of the road deep with a wide “picture frame” proscenium
Located on the western side of the entrance to that runs through the township. On its right with mock windows on each side and a
Port Phillip Bay in Victoria (Prime Minister side was the bowling green and tennis courts. Spanish style Terra Cotta roof. The floating
Harold Holt drowned on the eastern side) There was a small shady park with swings and Academy ratio screen had the rounded corners
Point Lonsdale is a sleepy sea-side town that public toilets on the left. Behind it was a cliff that were typical at the time. Masking was
sits literally at the end of the road, the Bellarine overlooking the treacherous “Rip” and the thought unnecessary and there were no stage
Highway to be specific. Like all holiday quieter “Front beach” inside the entrance to curtains.
destinations, the population swells enormously Port Phillip Bay. As the theatre had no
during the Christmas holiday period. Being facilities of any kind, the public toilets next I should have hated it because it didn't come
close to the comfort and beauty of the
Melbourne city and suburban theatres I knew,
but it had bucket loads of atmosphere. Maybe
it was the combination of that wonderful smell
that leatherette seats have and the general
happy anticipation of the holiday making
audiences that did it. Comedies were
particularly popular. One night all our parents
came with us and we saw Lucille Ball and Desi
Arnaz in The Long Long Trailer. The laughter
from the audience was incredible. One of my
aunts had a particularly raucous laugh and
people passing by must have wondered what
was going on in there.

Point Lonsdale Theatre after it was destroyed by fire in 1973. Image: Geelong Advertiser 1973
located in a “dry” area (the nearest licensed door and the Milk Bar across the road were in
hotels are some distance away at Queenscliff) high demand during intermission.
the small, un-imposing picture theatre, the
Lonsdale, had absolutely no competition for The weatherboard building was identical to
the holiday maker's dollar during the Christmas hundreds of country halls that were dotted
holiday period. Double feature programs around rural Australia. The entrance was
changed twice weekly (Monday to Wednesday merely a small porch about 15 feet square with
and Thursday to Saturday). The proprietor a ticket box. The projection room was an
must have been furious that he couldn't open addition that had been built on top, accessed
on Sundays because the theatre was always by an external vertical steel ladder. The interior
full. of the hall featured a high ceiling with tension
bars bracing the walls. There were tall narrow
My family began holidaying at Point Lonsdale windows along both sides that had been
around 1947. After some years, when I and my covered over and topped with small striped

34 CINEMARECORD # 87