In the 1850s, Melbourne was the fastest growing city in the world. "They dreamt big, they built big...it was a city jumping out of its skin"It became an epicentre of film culture and its hotels, restaurants and cafes became world renowned. However, the attempted modernisation of Melbourne in the 1950s destroyed much of the city, including its elegant cinemas and picture palaces.
Our buildings were deemed too Victorian, the opposite of a modern metropolis, and Whelan The Wreckers demolition blitz began. Based on the film of the same name, this book features rare archival photography that allows its audience to reimagine the former glory of the lost city of Melbourne.
