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The auditorium after extensive remodelling in 1939

By April 1912, there were four cinemas notable success among the most prominent of The programmes there have always been of a
operating in Richmond: the National, the moving picture exhibitors, and the Richmond high standard, but they will be better if
Richmond Theatre, the Globe and the public have to regard his playhouse on the anything in the future, by reason of the wider
Oriental. This was exceptional, even for an crest of the hill as fully equal in the quality of facilities I will have for the hiring of films.
inner suburb of Melbourne. The Richmond the fare presented, if not very much superior, Everything will be done to maintain the
Australian discussed this with some pride: to any of the much-boomed moving picture National in its proud position in the forefront
‘Richmond is now well supplied with picture theatres in the city proper. Mr Hodges set out of popularity amongst suburban houses.” (10)
theatres and residents have no occasion to go at the beginning to feed the public on the very
outside their own district. In addition to best film procurable. It is not necessary to now By 1920, the National was associated with
Hodge’s National Theatre in Bridge-road, and write in this paper that he has pleased the Union Theatres, but for distribution purposes
Rout’s Oriental in Shelley-Street, the fine new public taste. He has given it to his patrons only. (11) The exterior of the building, by later
palaces in Bridge-road (near the Town Hall) good, and has given it to them big. The standards, was fairly grim, being virtually
and Church-street (near Swan Street) are now appreciation is reciprocal. No theatre around devoid of any cinematic decoration or features.
in full swing, and all seem to be doing good Melbourne has such consistently good
business.’ audiences as the National. With the success It is not known when Mr Hodges sold the
that has attended his first venue, Mr Hodges National, but by 1937 the theatre had come
‘The National … pioneers of the business in is stimulated to go on to bigger things. The under the control of Mr T O’Brien, who had
Richmond, still maintains its position, judging National is not big enough for him to been the manager from as early as 1926.(12)
by the large audiences that nightly assemble concentrate all his energies, so he has now got
to witness the splendid views shown. The another string to his bow. He has taken over In 1926 there was a fire in the theatre, which
building is spacious, lofty and well ventilated, the well appointed Richmond Theatre, next to was confined to the bio box, damaging the box
and with up-to-date pictures and good the Town Hall, and by adopting the same and contents severely. The manager, Mr
orchestra music, the management have gained progressive policy as is established as the O’Brien, made an announcement from the
the good opinion of the public.’ (9) National, he hopes to build the way to another stage and people filed out in an orderly fashion.
and even greater success. The fire was put out by an extinguisher. (13)
In May 1916, Mr Hodges announced a coup
when he took control of the Richmond ‘But it is not only in taking over a twin theatre In 1939, the National was extensively
Theatre as well, and also obtained sole rights that Mr Hodges comes into the spotlight. He remodelled. The interior benefited most from
to screen Triangle Pictures in the area. The has scored a bigger trick. He has secured the this work, carried out by architectural firm
Guardian reported: sole rights to screen here the famous Triangle Cowper Murphy and Appleford, and the
Films… “While stirring things up at the builder Donald McLennan. The interior was
‘Mr Hodges, as proprietor of the National Richmond”, adds Mr Hodges, “It must be changed to an Art Moderne styling, the walls
Picture Theatre, Bridge-road, has achieved a thought that the National will be neglected. curving as they approached the proscenium,

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