| A history of the Lygon Hoyts Theatre |
During the 1920's there was a picture theatre boom around the world, this was due to the 'talkies', non silent films that were a new cinematic experience that proved extremely popular. Before black and white silents films were still engaging and attracted many audiences too. As a result of the new popularity of cinema in 1924, the Lygon theatre opened at 186 Lygon St in East Brunswick just north of Glenlyon Road in Melbourne, Victoria. It was a Neo-Classical style by architect Cedric Heise Ballantyne of the architectural firm Ballantyne & Hare. Lygon Street was a very popular place at the time; it had the luxury of being easily accessed via an electric tram service, was home to many various shops as well as being scattered with significant business and retail activities to accommodate for the surrounding local community. The venue was in an ideal location and fared very well for many years. It was a landmark that captivated the locals and drew people from all over Melbourne to the wonders of Lygon St.
Two years after its opening, the Lygon Theatre a part of Frank Thring's chain 'Electric Theatres' merged with Arthur Russell's 'Hoyts Pictures' in 1926 to become the Hoyts Picture Theatre chain. However Thring continued to maintain his position as the sole manager and primary decision maker including all bookings, films, engagements and attractions of the venue as per the agreement.
The introduction of television in 1956 took its toll on many theatres and cinemas around the world, especially Melbourne, now while television cannot directly be held responsible for a highly declining rate of audiences in cinemas, it certainly had a significant impact and as a result was forced to close its doors in 1959. Many other cinemas attempted to combat the television craze by improving audio quality, larger viewing screens, technicolour and cinevision. However the Lygon Hoyts succumbed to the television movement in 1959 when it closed is doors for the last time.
Years later in 1985 what was left of the Lygon Hoyts was partly demolished, rebuilt and reduced to storage space and offices for a technology centre. Only the shell of the theatre continued to exist until 6pm on the 13th September 2011 where the front main wall of the theatre collapsed into Jarvie St. The building had been evacuated and nobody was hurt nor was there any property damage as a result. Demolition was in effect to develop the former theatre into an apartment complex. (Rohan Mirchandaney)
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| Patron Experiences |
Although there is not much information easily accessible about the Lygon Hoyts the patrons fondly remember some of their most exciting times, one in particular Reverend Father Foster keenly recounts the good times at the Lygon matinee shows around the early 1930's and in particular recounts being very impressed with Art Acord, a talented actor who portrayed a 'wonderful cowboy'.
Many Laurel and Hardy comedies found a home at the Lygon Hoyts to the pleasure of its audiences, this is one of the memories that people remember most about the theatre.
Other patrons also recount the wartime matinees where Frank Thring the manager would greet all the guests in a sharp tuxedo and lead the children in sing-a-longs accompanied by a traditional visual on the screen with lyrics highlighted and accompanied by a bouncing ball. (Rohan Mirchandaney)
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