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Uploaded on: July 11, 2024

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1966 - Demolition of the Highett Theatre This photo a close-up where you can see the projection ports from the point of view of the projectionist.

Located in the south Melbourne district of Highett. This opened as the Highett Public Hall on September 11, 1926 by O. R. Snowball, the local Member of Parliament. By 1945 it was operated by F. Fogarty & J.L. Seymour. By 1951 it had been re-named Coronet Theatre and was operated by Les Williamson. By 1956 it had been re-named Lyric Theatre and was operated by Kirby’s Theatres Property Ltd. It had closed by 1960 - Notes by Ken Roe

Extra notes by The City of Kingston -

From June 1945, the hall was used as a picture theatre. The programs exhibited were advertised each week in the local paper drawing attention to the movie stars and the ratings given by the film censors. Destry Rides Again, starring James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich, was rated as not suitable for general exhibition, while Pardon My Rhythm, featuring Gloria Jean, gained a general exhibition classification.

Tom Sheehy wrote that in 1956 films were switched between the Highett Hall and the Cheltenham Soldiers Hall for screening every night except Sundays and Tuesdays. By that time the Highett picture theatre business was close to its demise, influenced no doubt by the introduction and competition from the new communication and entertainment innovation, television.

The hall has since been demolished and a public library & car park have been built on the site.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -