BONZA - Australia & New Zealand Database

Reference Type

book

Title

Cinemas in Melbourne

Author(s)

Catrice, Daniel

Town

Clayton

State

VIC

Country

Australia

Publication Date

00-08-1991

Citation Date

Comments

I find that in January 1913 the Greater J.D. Williams Amusement Company which the first Exhibitor of Newmarket, forming the largest and most powerful company in Australia.

And from this book we can know that the proportion of French films imported into Australia fell from 18% in 1913 to 1.2% in 1922-23; Italian films fell from 3% to less than 0.5%; and British films from 23.6% to 3.4%. These films are the most parts of Newmarket's film. That is why Newmarket open in 1912 has the most glorious moments and then closed.

From 1920 to 1928, the number of picture theatre in Australia has a lot increasing, the Newmarket was popular in that ages.

The book also mentioned that the non-English language cinema in Melbourne just have a short-life, the Newmarket is one of them.

At the end, book shows this cinema named Newmarket in 1912 to 1959, and change to Vesuvio in 1959 to 1961. Closing in Nov 1961.

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Initially this text was written as an academic requirement for the Monash University Department of History, but a copy has found its way to the Australian Film Institute research centre, which would suggest that it is a significant text for the film industry as well. This text may be of use to academics, historians, cinema enthusiasts, architects and interior designers.

In relation to the section on The Sun Theatre, this text is very informative as it not only details the history of the building and the people involved in its design, construction and ownership, but also details the interior features, the dimensions of the block of land it is situated on, and images of the original exterior and interior including original hand drawn floor plans.

This text details the history and significance of The Sun Theatre from its conception in 1937 to its current state in 1991. As this text not only details the significance of The Sun, but also provides and insight into the interior and exterior decoration, I believe this text may have been of great use to Michael Smith, current owner since 1995, who refurbished The Sun, restoring it to its âformer gloryâ. This text would also be significant in understanding the structure and make-up of the building, as it details the alterations that The Sun has undergone in the past (very few, over seen by Cowper, Murphy and Appleford original architects), providing information on structural and cosmetic soundness.

This text provides an exceptionally informative and detailed history of The Sun Theatre. Over 10 pages, the text comprehensively covers the history of The Sun up until 1991 when this piece was published.

This text has been well researched, and references listed throughout with Oxford style referencing. The references are wide ranging, including; local newspapers (Footscray Mail, Footscray Advertiser), research essays, film enthusiast publications (Film Weekly, Everyones, Film Weekly Motion Picture Directories), records from the Victorian Health Department, and images from a journal for home builders, architects and decorators (Decoration and Glass).

This thesis is well structured and easy to follow as the information on The Sun is divided up under sub-headings; description, context, history, integrity and significance, as well as details including name, address, present use, existing designations, photographs and original hand drawn floor plans. (Jessica Meli)

Synopsis

This book shows clearly the history of cinemas in Melboure from 1896 to 1942. It shows the development from picture theatres to sound film cinema, from no entertainment in pictures to mass enterainme to popular film watch, and the high tide and low ebb of Melbourne cinema industry.

And this book show the details about some particular cinema building, such as CAPITOL location at 109 Swanston Streer, STATE location at 154 Flinders Street and BALWYN location at 231 Whitehorse Road.

At the end of book list all cinemas around 1896~1942.

This book not only mention about the Vesuvio/Newmarket cinema, also show a lots of cinema history.

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This is a thesis submitted as partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Arts in Public History.

This text features The Sun Theatre, and over 10 pages (pg. 164 - 174) details the history, architectural features and significance of this building. This text covers the time period 1937 - 1991, and cites its present use as 'vacant' and its current state as 'in a poor state of repair'. (Jessica Meli)

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