Theatre Program, Cass & Clothier (Printers), The Sin of Madelon Claudet (film) shown at the Athenaeum Theatre in 1931

Historical information

With the cover framed, the remaining four pages of the interior of the program remain in the collection.
The entertainment commenced with music performed by Rene Breggozzo and Continental String Orchestra, Ballet music from Gounod's Faust and this was followed by a Cinesound Review and a Universal news reel. As usual, in these programs, the entertainment continued with a short movie, Laurel and Hardy in "Beau Hunks" and Wm T Tilden performing in "Volley and Smash". A rendition of the Meditation from Jules Massenet's "Thais" was performed by Rene Bregozzo prior to interval. After interval the main feature "The Sin of Madelon Claudet", starring Helen Hayes and Lewis Stone was shown and the evening concluded with the orchestra playing the national anthem.

Significance

The program reveals the type of entertainments of people who attended theatres in the 1930s. The classical-style music performed during the evening's movie entertainments tell us that this style of music was very popular throughout the population. The pages of the program have many advertisements for businesses ranging from sewing machines sold by Ward Bros. of North Melbourne (a picture of a treadle machine illustrates the advertisement) to the "Claire" florist of Queens Walk and the shop selling dancing shoes, G.M. Coutie of Elizabeth Street. A theatre program also reveals information about the location where the entertainment is enjoyed.

Physical description

Cover of a program for a film shown at the Athenaeum Theatre September 1931; the image is framed and hangs in Archives room.

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