Page 28 - CINEMARECORD-98

The Astor Theatre, Kilmore Vic.

From notes compiled by Jim Lowden
Additional research and editing Mike Trickett

Sydney Street Kilmore c. 1938 Manchester Unity Hall at left, prior to it being renamed the Astor.

he land at 36 Sydney Street, Kilmore, later The Drurys and their daughter Emily continued In 1936, before moving to Mansfield, Gough
Tto be the home of the Astor Theatre, was to run film screenings until the death of Gibson sold his business to Cyril Davey “Alec”
originally purchased from the Crown as part of Mr Drury Senior in 1932. and Catherine Mary “Queenie” Alcock, who
a 5120 acre special survey. The purchaser, traded from 1936 to 1937 as Kilmore Talkies
William Rutledge, had the township surveyed Emily was a very talented pianist, providing the and by April 1938 had renamed it the Astor
and named it Kilmore in 1842. music to accompany the silent movies. She had Theatre.
a great sense of timing and chases were
The first building known to be on this site was accompanied by fast music, whereas more The austere brick front did not fit this image so,
a single-storey bluestone warehouse. This sombre occasions called for slower tunes, such in 1937, they had the front of the building
building was subsequently sold to the as Sweet Alice Blue Gown. remodelled and the name Astor Theatre boldly
Manchester Unity Independent Order of imposed across the front of the cantilever
Oddfellows in the 1860s and used as a Lodge Late 1932 saw them sell the business to young verandah. The hall appears to have been
hall. radio salesman Godfrey Angas “Gough” extended on the east end at this time to
Gibson who traded from the Oddfellows’ Hall accommodate the stage area. The foyer featured
In 1873, they commissioned architect John as Kilmore Radio and Electrical Supplies. Like a ticket sales centre and behind this was the
Flanagan, who had recently handled a new most people of the time, Gough Gibson had radio shop which also utilised the display
wing at the Kilmore Hospital, to design a new little money and many a time he had to collect window. The basement was used as a repair
hall. He called tenders on 23 Sep 1873 and the enough entrance money and then take it up to shop. Barring the stairs to the dress circle
hall was finally completed in 1876. the Kilmore Railway Station to get the films balcony was a board which featured stills from
for showing that night which had been sent forthcoming attractions. A bio-cabin was also
The Oddfellows’ Hall was used for major Cash on Delivery. included. The theatre could now seat 300
public functions which were not held in the people.
Kilmore Mechanics' Hall. Gough was a practical man, and appreciated
that Kilmore could be cold in the winter, so he The Alcocks purchased an ex-RAAF hand-fed
In the early 1890s, the Drury family - William added a huge drum to the centre of theatre. This carbon arc movie projector, the very latest in
Anderson Drury, his wife Mary Jane, and was filled with wood and allowed to burn down technology, and this was used right up until the
their son William Anderson Jr. - moved into during the evening. theatre’s closure in about 1963. The projector
Kilmore and their dance, singing and music drew so much power that an extra engine was
studio at 86 Albert Street started a whole new required to operate in the old powerhouse
generation of dancing and entertainment and which was on the site of the present Kilmore
their amateur nights and dances were centred Memorial Hall.
on the Oddfellows' Hall.
They continued to trade as the Astor
In 1908, they started film screenings as Theatre, and kept the radio and electrical
Electro Pictures and conducted regular business operating. In 1949, “Queenie”
Saturday showings of pictures in the Alcock sold the business to
Oddfellows’ Hall, which they were to C and M Thomson. They in turn sold it to
later purchase. Albert “Pop” Thomas and Kevin Clark
Manion in 1952. “Pop” trained Kevin and
Their son, William, became a bandsman local lad Pat Wright as projectionists.
and joined the army on the outbreak of World
War I. After a long period of service, he
returned, but not to Kilmore.

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