Page 10 - CR-94

Projectors were Cinemeccanica Victoria 8, with
horizontal xenon arcs in Cinema 5 and with
vertical xenon arcs in Cinema 7. Automation
was Cinemation Mark IV. Sound was Dolby
CP100. Both projectors were used with ads and
trailers on a spool on the first machine and then
an automatic changeover to the feature on the
second. Slides were large glass format shown
by a Cinemeccanica GPR 4.

A pleasing account recently concerns the
installation of the former Hoyts Mid City
Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 at the Sun Theatre
Yarraville. It was all done to exhibit Quentin
Tarrantino’s The Hateful Eight in 70 mm, in
January 2016. Thankfully, veteran projectionist
and collector Brian Davis had purchased the
projector and kindly came to the rescue.
Ultimately, Hoyts Mid City became a victim of
bigger cinema complexes that were more
amenably situated with respect to the changing
film-going habits of Melbournians.
Nevertheless, Mid City virtues and
idiosyncrasies should not be forgotten. A lot of
people found employment and enjoyment there
over more than 21 years.

Hoyts Mid City appeared in the Herald Sun’s
cinema sessions listing for the final time on the
weekend of 25 – 26 April 1992. As is often the
case, there was no final screening notification,
no fond farewells. Mid City was simply
included on 26 April and not listed thereafter.
The final Mid City sessions advertised for
26 April 1992 were The Prince of Tides at
The smallest of the cinemas, Cinema 6, had no proscenium or curtains. 9.05 pm, My Own Private Idaho at 9.20 pm and
Bugsy at 9.25 pm. Suburban Commando was
For example, during the 1980s, if Mid City did However, probably more potent than any of this also advertised for earlier time slots that day.
not open on a Sunday, it would sometimes lend was the 1986 opening of the Chadstone
a popular title to Cinema Centre for that day. Cinema Complex. Soon the force would be Today the space of the former Hoyts Mid City
The film would be returned to Mid City in-time with the suburbs, not the city. Film buff, Paul Cinema 4 (later 7) is occupied by Hyland’s
for Monday. Harris, told the Melbourne Age in 2003: “When Bookshop, itself something of an institution.
Hoyts opened at Chadstone it killed the goose Sometimes the sound of gunfire and roaring
In 1979, modifications designed by architect that laid the golden egg.” After all, the engines flows across from the Chinatown
Ronald Fitch were introduced to the cinema, suburban shopping centres offered on-site Cinema (former Cinema 5), through the no
subsequent to a refurbishment of the retail parking, abundant food, a myriad of shops and longer shared projection booth and into the
arcade in 1977-78. The arcade level ticket area all much closer to home! bookshop. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing.
was removed, a wall was demolished and a shop Hyland’s is a military and transport bookshop
introduced into the space. A new ticket selling The transition from city to suburbs was not only after all!
and booking office was constructed in the foyer a Melbourne phenomenon. The Australian Film
area, as well as a new counter and candy bar. Commission reported that gross box office Perhaps it was always the destiny of Hoyts Mid
The original brass handle rails at the Bourke takings of city cinemas dropped from City to be cast beneath the expansive shadow
Street entrance stairs were replaced. $87 million in 1988 to $57.5 million in 2001. of the more acclaimed Cinema Centre.
During the same period, suburban takings However, 25 years on, with the generous
Competition for Hoyts Mid City came from increased from $68.5 million to $483.4 million. assistance of David Kilderry and Martin Powell,
several fronts, principally from the Greater I hope I’ve been able to give Melbourne’s
Union stable of cinemas in the early years. Today, one observes Village Crown and Hoyts former Hoyts Mid City a little time in the sun.
Then, Greater Union’s Russell Cinema Melbourne Central. These complexes can ★
Complex, just a stone throw away, emerged as offer similar inducements as their suburban
a behemoth in the late 1970s. Admittedly, some counterparts (plus a Casino at Crown and a
other Union venues had to make way for it. major train station at Central!), at least to a
Russell Cinemas was a high flyer in its heyday, degree where they remain viable. Sadly, it was Credits:
bringing the punters through the gates like no a whole lot tougher back on Bourke and Russell
other in Melbourne. Streets. Hoyts Melbourne Central, which has Images courtesy of David Kilderry, Kevin Adams,
effectively replaced the Cinema Centre and Martin Powell, Peter Wallace, Movie News and
In the early 1980s, Hoyts converted Cinema 3 Mid City cinemas, currently has 11 screens, the CATHS Archive.
at the Cinema Centre, the only one constructed largest of which falls just short of 500 seats.
on two levels, into Cinemas 3 and 4. Hence, the Melbourne’s Chinatown Cinema is kindly assisting
previous Cinema 4 at Mid City was renumbered On his web site Drive-ins Downunder – CATHS to document the changes that have occurred
at the Mid City subsequent to Hoyts 1992 departure.
as Cinema 7. In the mid-1980s the Village Projection Booths, David Kilderry has
Centre at 206 Bourke Street arrived big, bold diligently documented the equipment of the
and imposing. common projection room during his days at
Mid City. Phillips platters stood in the centre.

10 CINEMARECORD # 94