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the River Caves, Scenic Railway,
Palace of Illusions, Pharaoh's Daughter
and a Whitney Bros "while-u-wait"
photo booth together with live
performers such as Ardo the Frog Man
who appeared in the River Caves. Still
going strong, more than a hundred
years later, it remains a pop culture icon.

But Williams was particularly
ambitious and, returning to the US, he
became a key figure in Hollywood's
burgeoning film industry as the co-
founder of First National Pictures ; a
major studio and cinema chain. By
1920, he had two of the biggest box
office stars of the day – Charlie Chaplin
and Mary Pickford – on his payroll. He
also made movie history when he
signed Chaplin to the first ever million
dollar contract .
The Phillips Bros, however, decided to
stay in Melbourne, primarily to take
over Luna Park but also to undertake
additional projects as well.
Image: CATHS Archive (CTA Collection)
After trying a few, smaller, venues in
various locations around the St. Kilda While that work was going on, they were also to relocate to Sydney for work commitments,
foreshore, they built the vast and quirky Palais busy overseeing the construction of the Capitol the Phillips commissioned a new architect, New
de Danse ballroom in 1919. Capable of Theatre and office building (1924) in Zealand's Henry E. White, to create a more
accommodating nearly 3,000 patrons, it had an Swanston Street; a project in which they were substantial and palatial structure.
eclectic and magical interior that was conceived partners with Anthony Lucas, another
by Chicago-born husband and wife prominent Victorian identity. An outstanding The Palais was somewhat unique in as much
architectural team Walter Burley Griffin and example of art deco architecture, its cinema as, unlike most cinemas, it featured a
Marion Mahony Griffin. On hot nights, the remains famous to this day for its unique and reasonably big stage. Also equipped with a full
louvered wall panels could be hinged up to spectacular “ceiling of lights”. range of theatrical equipment and behind the
allow the sea breezes to provide the dancers scenes facilities, it regularly presented its own
with a touch of balmy exotica. It soon became Indirectly lit, it was used in conjunction with musical variety shows. These productions ran
the epicentre of Melbourne's rapidly expanding original orchestral scores in the silent era to add prior to the screening of the main feature film
jazz scene and a string of local and international extra dramatic impact. Thousands of lamps of and were part of an even bigger program which
band leaders appeared there. different colours producing light that changed also included newsreels, shorts and trailers.
through all the hues in the spectral range were
Its opening marked the beginning of the Phillips hidden among the plaster panels creating a English maestro, Harry Jacobs, was contracted
third period of hectic entrepreneurial activity. crystalline cave effect. It was another tour de to be the permanent musical director for the
force, handled with great skill Palais and, under his leadership, its orchestra
and imagination by the quickly established a reputation for excellence.
Griffins. The Capitol was also
the home of the first large
Wurlitzer organ to come to
Australia.
And it was around this time that
Harold Phillips made the move
to Melbourne to join Herman
and Leon in the business.

Replace with better quality The Phillips’ final, significant
at archive undertaking in Melbourne was
another solo endeavour that
reached its stellar climax in L-R: J.D. Williams, Edna Purviance and Charlie Chaplin
1927 with the completion of the
Palais Pictures. Situated By the 1950s it became increasingly sought
between Luna Park and the after by promoters as a live performance venue
Palais de Danse and with a for top overseas stars such as Johnnie Ray, Bob
seating capacity of 2,896 Hope, Tom Jones and the Rolling Stones. It also
people, it remains the largest, staged Broadway shows such as Jesus Christ
venue of its type in Australia. Superstar and La Cage aux Folles together with
the Bolshoi and Kirov ballets.
A previous movie house, once
again designed by the Griffins, The Palais has recently undergone a major
was rising up on the same site restoration project. It is currently operated by
when it was destroyed by fire. Live Nation Entertainment and is again hosting
When Walter and Marion had shows.

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