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with McLeish, when economic realities merged
with mutual interest. A patrician figure and
industry spokesperson, it helped that McLeish
had founded the Cinema Industry Benevolent
Fund of Victoria, chaired the Cinematograph
Exhibitors' Association of Victoria and was
prominent in charity work.
McLeish was unusually close to Associated and
Hoyts. He managed their Broadway Theatre
in Camberwell from 1926-43, shared ownership
with Hoyts in the Regal Theatre at Hartwell,
and his Junction Theatres Ltd included Hoyts
as a junior partner. In 1921, he lost the lease of
the Clifton Hill Theatre to Hoyts, then
regained it in 1932. Often with Hoyts, but not
of Hoyts, his influence within Victoria's major
theatre chain exceeded that of any exhibitor.
As a relatively early adopter of sound, Robert
McLeish had accompanied Frank W. Thring
(Snr) overseas in 1929. The Fairfield Theatre Rear of Fairfield Theatre, circa 1950, showing small stage with speaker housing built onto the rear
converted to 'talkies' on 23 January 1930 with
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the film Broadway Melody. An elevated, William “Bill” Davies was the “jack of all other McLeish Theatres, usually the Northcote
corrugated iron extension was added to the back trades” at the theatre. His “office” was attached Theatre, by motorbike and sidecar for the
wall behind the stage and screen to house the to the generator shed at the rear of the theatre, 'switch'. There is also documentation that
cone speakers. The bio-box was also extended although his duties were extensive. He was the Fairfield also switched with Hoyts Ivanhoe
and, by this time, internal ladies washrooms had cleaner, seat repairer, took ticket bookings, Theatre, as well as the Clifton Theatre. Bert
been installed in one of the previous front shop changed the poster display boxes with his own also had responsibility for illuminating the
areas. The manager's office was now behind the artistic decoration additions, collected films billboard on the south side of Fairfield Station,
ticket box on the right as you entered. This may from the station, usher, the relief doorman on as well as opening the blue velvet curtains by
have occurred earlier (c. 1926) when a new occasions, as well as many other duties required hand at the start of the night.
switch room, with duplicate controls for to keep a cinema running smoothly for the
auditorium lighting in the office, was installed. manager. At some stage the verandah at the front was
altered to a cantilevered design. There was no
During research for this article, CATHS He would have seen several managers over that confectionary stand in the theatre, but with two
member Peter Ricketts mentioned he had a time. In January 1933, he would have perhaps milk bars either side in the 1940s and '50s, as
family connection with the Fairfield Theatre. been present when the then manager, Mr Leslie well as another nearly opposite, the audience
His grandfather, William 'Old Bill' Davies had John McLeish (brother of Robert McLeish), could be well serviced. One of the shops also
been the caretaker under the employment of collapsed and died at the theatre, aged provided the lolly tray-boys at interval.
Robert McLeish Theatres from c. 1928 to his 45 years. Mr M. Scott may have taken over
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retirement in 1948, with several other extended as manager after this, and was still there in the Having already expanded by building the 'new
family members also being employed during late 1940s. style' Regal Theatre that opened in 1937 in
some of those years. Peter himself also has very Hartwell, Robert McLeish Theatres’ related
early memories (and his first experiences The quality sound system of the Fairfield company, Junction Theatres Ltd, undertook
leading to his ultimate profession as a Theatre meant that it was used as the preview building its largest and most prestigious picture
projectionist) where he visited the bio-box close theatre in the 1930s and 40s for the McLeish theatre project. It opened the new (2nd) Rivoli
to where the family always had reserved seats Theatres managers to assess the films for future Theatre in Camberwell, complete with roof
at the back stalls. Fortunately, he made some screenings in their respective theatres. The new garden, for its circuit in 1940.
oral history recordings in the early 2000’s, with Eftee Films talkie The Sentimental Bloke was
his mother and uncle describing their test screened in early 1932 at the cinema before In 1944, the Fairfield Theatre's worn linoleum
recollections of the Fairfield Theatre. (refer its first Melbourne city screening at the Hoyts on the floor was replaced in the aisles. In
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to more detail in articles “Through the De Luxe on 29 March. At many of these comparison to his other theatres, little money
Porthole” in issues CR 44 & CR 47). previews, Ellen Davies (Peter Ricketts’ mother) was expended. The seats in the stalls were the
and her sister would provide afternoon tea and, usual padded tip-up seats, but the seats in the
as a token of their gallery had comfortable air cushioning.
gratitude, receive
promotional lobby The senior projectionist for many years was Alf
cards. Apparently the Stewart. Another CATHS member, the late
only time the sound Geoff Edwards (best remembered as the owner
was not up to standard of the then Cinema Charlton - now known as
was when heavy rain the Rex Theatre - from 1974-86) lived in
pounded on the tin Fairfield as a youngster in the mid-late 1940s.
roof. Its lattice ceiling In 1947, he attended many matinees and some
could not provide evening sessions at his local theatre, keeping a
adequate sound diary of the films he saw, with occasional
insulation. comments. It makes interesting reading. He
attended a matinee screening in August when
Albert 'Bert' Davies he asked Alf, the projectionist, “What happened
(along with his to the advertised feature on the poster outside,
brother, Jack) were as it wasn't shown?” Alf went outside to look
employed during their at the advertisement himself. He came back and
younger days to said, “You’re right. I didn't look to see what I
transport the film should have been showing, but can't answer
canisters at interval to why it wasn't on”.

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