CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

Opening of the West Coburg Progress Association Hall Novemebr 17, 1923. Sometime around 1926/7 Bill Blackwood from Southern Theatres approached the Progress Association Committee to lease the hall for the showing of moving pictures.

Management summary:
Jim and Jessie Murphy operated the Progress pictures from late 1948 to April 1953. Tom Pearson leased the progress from Feb 1954 to late 1958. Frank Nairn leased from Feb 1959- operated by Harold W Davison who continued there until 1980. David Earl and Bruce Parr took over in July 1980. In 1982 Bruce Parr left and Eric Reed took over as business partner.

Film Weekly records the following changes in capacity:
1946/47-1948/49 = 448
1949/50-1955/6 = 459
1956/7-1961/62 = 350
1962/63-1966/67 = 300

References
Cook, M 1994, 'Revived in name of Progress' Age November 1

Catrice, D. 1991. Cinemas in Melbourne 1896-1942. Thesis (M.A.) Monash University, 1991.

Cinema & Theatre Historical Society 1997, Cinema index : Melbourne cinemas, suburban cinemas, Victorian drive-ins. CATHS, Victoria.

Film Weekly. Film Weekly motion picture directory Film Weekly, Sydney. 1946/47-1971

Manzie, K 1953, 'Theatre change hands,' "Film Weekly", June 11, 1953, p. 14.

Poulianakis, J 1990, 'West Coburg Progress' Kino: journal of the Australian theatre historical society no. 31, p. 20.