On the 9th June 1911 on 283 Bourke Street Melbourne, the start of a theatre history began as the Melba Theatre opened and became the very first of many theatres that were to be constructed and de-constructed both intentionally and un-intentionally on that location. This blog explores the reincarnations, various interiors, exteriors and functions of a theatre that eventually became the Odeon Cinema.

Research Question: Define the historical milestones of the Odeon Theatre, Melbourne.

The Melba Theatre ~ Opening Night Chaos had the opening night of the Melba theatre as all sorts of people scrambled to get a glimpse at not only the opening productions for the night but the fashionable colours and fixtures that decorated the theatre’s panelled walls. Pale buff yellow, blue and gold crawled over the building’s interior. Colour was just one attribute of ‘this marvellous theatre suiting the most marvellous block in the marvellous city of Melbourne’ (J.D.Williams, 1911). Cinemas of Australia via USA, 1981The J.D.Williams Amusement Company and minimum prices were responsible for the mass audience which attended opening night that packed the theatre. Just before the first show, police, employees and rope barriers were overcome by the rush. This crowd continued well into Bourke street; hundreds of people waiting to see the second, third and final show for the evening. Police saw to a passage through the crowd for other street traffic. Even the Melba’s seating capacity of 1200 could not see everyone into the opening night. Features of the night included a speech by Sir Samuel Gillott who spoke of a friend who owned the hall the Melba was built in previously and how he made a fortune off it. He wished the Melba the same fortunes and luck. This was a high hope as the Melba cost more than any other photo-play palace in the world (Jeffries, C 1911). A full stringed orchestra accompanied the picture show which added to the Melba’s element of marvel. The opening night production consisted of several films including one about an oriental temple garden where deer would feed from the palms of passers-by. Another film shown was based on an American war poem and a love drama about desperate women wanting a hand in marriage from a wealthy ranch-owner. All together, the productions screened for slightly over an hour before the audience was hurried out for the next load of people to enter. In 1913 The J.D.Williams Amusement Company and Spencers, Wests and Amalgamated Pictures combine and formed Union Theatres and in 1934 the basement of the Melba Theatre was made into a newsreel theatrette called The Times.  Cinema Record, 2001
The Melba Theatre was one of the Union Theatres that did not undergo extravagant alterations for many years. It was not until 1938 when it became apparent the Melba Theatre was to be renovated with the Times Theatrette as the theatre had become highly out-dated. It was not uncommon for theatres to be completely renovated, renamed and thus re-incarnated into other theatres. Around this time the Middle Park Picture Theatre was undergoing renovations to become its later re-incarnation, the Melbourne Repertory Theatre: Middle Park Picture Theatre. 

Outside The Melba Theatre, 1911. Image sourced from: Cinema Record

This is a taste of the popular classical music being played around the time the Melba opened. It was the romantic era for classical music. This composer, Johan Svendsen, died in 1911, the year the Melba opened. Click link to listen... Johan Svendsen - Festival Polonais, Op. 12

The Liberty Theatre On 6th April 1939 the brand new and improved Liberty opened. Art deco was extremely popular at the time and the theatre was built to impress and be compared with competing theatres at the time. The Sun Theatre in Yarraville went up just a year earlier in 1938. Externally and internally the building was conspicuous. It shined and stood out in fashion. Off Bourke Street, the entrance was made up of plate glass doors that were patterned. This pattern continued on and became a theme throughout the theatre. A.M.Bolot Kino, 1989, architect of the new Liberty, received mixed reviews for his design which included dado walls made up of Australian silver beech and textured plaster which contrasted with other plain surfaces and vertical grills which appeared in other areas of the Liberty. Due to the vertical grills and mirrored ceilings the theatre had a great sense of space and heightened the ceilings. However, the lights were the highlighting feature of the theatre creating a peaceful aura. They were fluorine tubular lights also designed by Bolot, coloured green, orange and cream. The lights ran along the walls, balcony and ceiling. Originally the Liberty’s seating capacity was supposed to accommodate 1100 people. The capacity was reduced to 898 seats as this would provide more spacious comfort for patrons Caarp. Other features included silk drop curtains which were lit by flood lights, heating and cooling air conditioned systems that where located around the theatre as well as beneath the seats and a floor which sloped towards then centre and then up towards the screen The Argus, 1939which prevented patrons from looking up whilst viewing productions. On 1st October 1950 the Liberty Theatre was enveloped by fire and ruined.

Inside The Liberty Theatre, 1939. Image sourced from: Cinema Record

The Odeon Cinema After the devastating fire that ruined the Liberty, the theatre was re-opened on 2nd November 1951 with a new name: The Odeon Cinema. In many ways the Odeon was built to carry out many elements and charms the Liberty once had. Like the Liberty, the Odeon used lighting as a main feature attraction, red carpet flowed throughout the theatre for that touch of elegance and was complete with all the gala trimmings ‘never before will it have carried so much prestige as when it becomes the Odeon’ (Manzie, J 1951). But times had changed so this new theatre was much more conventional. Around this time, Melbourne saw the release of many Arthur Rank British films. As a marketing tool, The Browning Version, which was British film of the year, was the production shown on The Odeon’s opening night and the cinema was to specialise in British films from then on. In an attempt to stop the theatre from seeming so tunnel-like, the theatre curved around the seating and was then cut away into a smaller curve where curtains where fitted to form the stage where the screen was. Above the screen was another level with a mirror fitted towards the back wall which reflected lights and the audience for a spacious effect. The busy location of the Odeon Cinema would have it see pros as well as cons. At times when theatre companies would see great financial losses the Odeon remained prosperous. This meant that the location was of very high value for the retail market and eventually the Greater Union agreed to sell the land Cinema Record. The Odeon, with The Times were closed on 2nd February 1978 to end a theatre era.