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THE THEATRES OF LISMORE, NSW (Part 3)

A NEW THEATRE FOR LISMORE - THE VOGUE

By William Gray

Following on from Parts 1 & 2 of the Lismore
story in previous issues of CinemaRecord, this
final part presents a more detailed account of
the Vogue Cinema.
n the early 1930s, cinemas were doing very
Iwell in spite of the Depression, the escapist
entertainment and low admission prices a
winning combination.

In Lismore, Mr. T.J. Dorgan had been highly
successful in the operation of the Star Court
and Federalette theatres, and decided to add
a more modern showcase venue. At first, it was
decided to name the new theatre the Plaza, and
was to begin construction in 1933. However,
it did not begin at that time due to financial
reasons. Construction finally commenced in
1935.

Situated at 41-45 Molesworth Street, the new
showcase theatre was officially opened on
11 November 1935, the architect being
Mr. F.J. Board. Originally it was to be called
the Plaza, but at the last moment, the name
was changed to the Vogue.

The exterior of the theatre was changed from
Mr. Board’s original 1933 sketches showing a
Moorish/Spanish influence and a lower facade,
to a revised design (also by Mr. Board) being
taller and more classical, with elements of Art
Deco on the façade. Dimensions given were
165 feet long x 64 feet wide, with a stage of
46 feet wide x 23 feet deep.

“The ceiling of the building which, in part, is
35 feet above floor level, has been completed The Vogue, as a religious centre 1980s.
in Tentest, one of the latest materials for the
purpose, with fibrous plaster moulds in the garden flat roof with adjacent retiring rooms The Vogue featured a gigantic 48-sheet hand-
auditorium.” for ladies and gentlemen. made movie poster on its roof. This huge
poster, visible to passing traffic and pedestrians
A feature of the new theatre will be the Imposing flush panel veneer doors open from crossing the Richmond River, was twice the
platform for the orchestra in front of the stage, the stairway to the auditorium. From here, a size of the normal 24-sheeter. There is a large
machinery being installed to enable the striking impression of the auditorium is gained. colour photograph taken from the bridge
platform to be raised during orchestral The proscenium is 28 feet wide x 20 feet high. showing a cargo vessel moored at a wharf by
performances. The sound system used is RCA high fidelity, the river, with the poster in the background.
and lenses for both projectors are by Taylor- This photograph is still displayed in the Mecca
Made of nickel-plated chrome steel, a light in Hobson. Café in Magellan Street.
the centre of the ceiling of the auditorium will
be one of the attractions of the structure. In the The opening attraction was the RKO film In October 1940, the Vogue was selected to
shape of a star, it is fitted with 40 electric light Becky Sharp, which was the first film to use screen Gone with the Wind for a two week
globes. Ventilation plant to treat the air in the the newly developed 3-strip technicolor season. Admission prices were increased by
auditorium which will accommodate 1100 process. the Distributor (MGM) and it was stated that
patrons, paper panelling of the internal walls, the film would not be shown anywhere else
and furnishing of the theatre completed the “Seven year old violinist, Ewingsdale Perry except at the increased price for at least a year.
work for the opening. Hart, who was the sensation of the last Sydney Prior to screening, the manager, Mr. Fred
Eisteddfod, delighted the audience with three Kehoe, appeared on stage with the
Mounting full-width white marble stairs, one numbers in which she was accompanied by her announcement that the film would commence
gains access to the auditorium, or to the winter teacher, Mrs. Gundach-Macgillivary.” with an overture as an introduction. Such an

28 CINEMARECORD # 89