Hoyts suburban theatre pin

This tin Hoyts Theatre badge from 1953 reads, 'This is a Hoyts suburban theatre'. It might only be a small object, but it reflects a big shift in moviegoing trends after the Great Depression of the 1930s – from an expensive night out in a grand Art Deco cinema (an experience akin to going to a play at the theatre) to a more modest and affordable outing at a suburban venue, catering to working-class audiences. 

The Hoyts cinema chain has a fascinating connection to dentistry. Dr Arthur Russell satisfied his theatrical ambitions when he bought a share in a small American travelling troupe named Hoyts Circus. He toured with them around Melbourne as their resident magician until they met with financial ruin, forcing his return to dentistry. Not one to give up, Russell reignited his interest in the arts in 1908 by showing a series of short moving pictures on Saturday nights in a hired hall in Melbourne. Soon after the Hoyts Picture Palace was born, and Hoyts venues began popping up all over the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney, premiering the latest movie releases. Fast forward to now and Hoyts remains one of the largest cinema chains in Australia.