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Yet by October 1932, the Empress and Plaza
Newport (as it had been re-named) were under
the control of Southern Theatres Pty Ltd. It
was reported that Southern had improved the
Empress and Plaza and equipped them with
RCA Photophone equipment. The Mayor
would open the Plaza on Saturday 5 November
and the Mayoress would perform the same
function at the New Empress Theatre. (35)
Southern Theatres was controlled by
Councillor Bissell, who had previously been a
manager of the Williamstown Theatre, and
Mr W Blackwood, of Williamstown.
In 1934, however, the partnership dissolved:
“CR ISSELL OUT OF THE SOUTHERN THEATRES.
SELLS SHARES TO CO-DIRECTOR MR BLACKWOOD.
IS NOT TAKING OVER WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE. The building as the Williamstown Italian Social Club 2016.
It is understood that Cr B Issell has sold his interest
in Southern Theatres Pty Ltd to his co-director, The foyer has been set in terrazzo and the staircase
Mr W Blackwood, of 107 Esplanade. Cr Issell, who What changes, if any, were made to the circle foyers have been covered in the latest sponge
has acted as manager of the Williamstown Theatre exterior is not known. There is no mention in rubber in rich burgundy…” (41)
(Regent) for the past 12 months, has now the above trade journal article and no
relinquished all connection with the theatre business description in the newspapers available on
in Williamstown. In future, Mr Blackwood will Trove. The description of the auditorium above The above article suggest the theatre was
control only the Plaza Theatre, Newport, and the sounds quite welcoming, given that the rear refurbished and/or remodelled. However,
Empress Theatre, Williamstown. He is not taking wall was pushed back, making it much larger. another report differs:
over the Williamstown Theatre. (36) Again, some sources state the theatre was “GALA SATURDAY NIGHT AT NEW EMPRESS
rebuilt in 1935 or 1939 but this article confirms Tomorrow night will be a gala night at one of
The Williamstown Theatre, here mentioned that it was remodelled and altered. Williamstown’s most historic entertainment sites,
as the Regent, was later under Hoyts control, for it will mark the opening of the city’s first modern
but owned by the local council. In July 1939, it was reported that the picture house – the new Empress. Completely
proprietors, Mrs Dark (widow) and rebuilt, the theatre bears the same name as the old
The following year, 1935, The Age mentions Mr W Blackwood, had agreed to donate the and dilapidated building which once served as a
that the Plaza and New Empress, operated by proceeds of three nights’ screenings at both the skating rink and then a picture house. Patrons will
Southern Theatres Pty Ltd, have been offered Plaza Newport and the Empress to the have the opportunity of seeing the new ultra
(42)
for an appeal on behalf of the relatives of the Children’s Hospital – a generous gesture modern Empress …”
victims of the recent Williamstown explosion indeed. (39) This article also confirms that
tragedy. (37) The tragedy referred to involved Southern Theatres Pty Ltd was still in the To add to the confusion, Film Weekly clearly
young boys taking ship’s rockets and emptying control of Mr Dark’s widow and his partner, states: “Bill Blackwood’s New Empress Theatre was
the gunpowder out of them. Two boys were Mr W Blackwood. built on the site of the old Empress, which stood for
53 years until closed 8 months ago to permit the
killed in the resultant explosion and five others
new building to be erected.” (43)
seriously injured. Like most theatres, the war years were
uneventful, except for an armed hold up in July Even the local heritage listing states: “The
In 1939, the Empress Theatre was
1946, when the princely sum of only £9 was Williamstown Italian Social Club was established
remodelled. Some reports state that it was a taken. (40) c.1950. It is believed that the building was
new building, but this is not correct. Film constructed on the site of the former Empress
Weekly reported: “The Empress received a
In 1954, the Empress was closed. Whether a Pavilion, which was built by W H Gaunt, who also
remodelling treatment that completely transformed brand new theatre was built on the site, or established the Woollen Mills on the site
it. Originally designed with central stairway to the whether it was a major makeover and surrounding the Pavilion.” (The Mill was
circle leading from the entrance foyer, the stairs remodelling, has been the subject of much demolished in the 1990s and the site is now
now lead to the circle at the sides of the foyer, giving misinformation. developed for housing). “The Empress Pavilion
a spacious main assembly. In the auditorium,
additional seating was provided when the entire was later converted to a roller skating rink and then
rear wall was moved back some distance, The Chronicle reported: to a picture theatre known as “The Empress”
elimination of the old full size stage, making “NEW EMPRESS THEATRE OPENS THE END OF (affectionately known as “The Flea Palace”). It was
later acquired and converted to the Italian Social
provision for a modern proscenium, new seating and OCTOBER Club.
special attention to lighting, all combining in an The reopening of the Empress Theatre, to be known
artistic and comfortable atmosphere. as the New Empress, will take place towards the end
of this month … The seating in the auditorium has The Williamstown Italian Social Club is constructed
Thus it will be seen that the theatre, not possessing been covered in dust resisting plastic hide in of brick in the post war functionalist style. The
building is notable for the bold composition and
a dress circle foyer, a cosy assembly is made of the burgundy colour, which has been selected by the massing of its symmetrically composed and
spacious main entrance, where settees composed management because plastic is considered more stepped façade. Fenestration is limited to three
of green fabric contrast beautifully with the rich hygienic but still retains the appearance of leather square windows in the central bay above the letters
hangings of wine velvet, whilst flooring is entirely while the selected shade of either for the dress circle and two tall vertical windows in the flanking bays.
covered with rubber in mottled effects of green, red is grey, with pipings of burgundy. The centrally located entrance is enclosed by
and black. Wall Mirrors, standard lamps and indirect wrought iron gates which feature the acronym of
ceiling lighting complete the general scheme. There are less seats per unit area in the New
Empress than in most suburban situations … the club, that is also featured in letters attached to
The ticket boxes are situated at either side of the provision has been made for a panoramic the façade above the doorway.
stalls entrance. A wide, carpeted stairway leads to widescreen and the very latest in miracle mirror It is not known whether the present building was a
the dress circle, the carpet tonings blending with the screens has been installed. Attractive curtains in the conversion of the earlier buildings on this site or an
green and wine shades. In the auditorium the same latest shade of daffodil are also an added feature. entirely new building. Further investigation is
colours – green, wine and amber, are adhered to, The screen has been installed to either take (44)
with the proscenium lighting and drapings rich in CinemaScope or VistaVision, whichever may become required.”
gold colour.” (38) standardised.

18 CINEMARECORD # 91