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FIRST PROVINCIAL “TWIN CINEMA” IN AUSTRALIA

Townsville’s Odeon and Forum Twin

Mike Trickett

“FIRST PROVINCIAL ‘TWIN CINEMA’ IN
AUSTRALIA” the headline in the Townsville
Daily Bulletin of 27 August 1971 proudly
announced.

The sub-heading continued “With the opening
today of the Odeon and Forum twin cinemas,
Townsville becomes the first provincial city in
Australia to have a motion picture complex of
the type which is gaining popularity in the
major cities of the USA and Europe.”

In common with other cities, television was
making inroads into cinema attendance figures,
operators in other major cities had reduced this
impact by introducing the concept of the twin
cinema. The twin cinema not only gave the
public a greater range of movies to choose The theatre, now trading as Townsville Twin Cinema c. 1985
from, but importantly, operating two smaller The architects chosen for the design were the The Bulletin’s preview of the opening night
cinemas within the same building meant it was Sydney based company of Cheesman, Doley, promised something spectacular …
possible to run the two cinemas for pretty much Brabham and Neighbour. Local construction
the same cost as one larger theatre. The company Krogh Constructions were the Tonight's opening ceremony will have all the
common foyer, candy bar, ticket booth and and builders. glamour of a Hollywood premiere.
other facilities meant everything could be
handled by one lot of staff. Construction commenced 31 August 1970, and A procession of marching girls, headed by
was completed vintage and modern cars carrying fashion
in time for the models and accompanied by the Townsville
official opening Citizens' Band, will march to the theatre and
on 26 August will give marching demonstrations outside the
1971 at a cost of cinemas from 7.30 onwards.
$750,000.
They will be brilliantly illuminated, not only
The two cinemas from the theatres, but from searchlights
in the complex specially mounted on buildings on the opposite
each had side of Sturt Street, and supplemented by lights
i n d i v i d u a l for newsreel and television camera crews.
names. The
Odeon with a The cinemas were renovated in 1983, it would
seating capacity seem that the two cinema names were dropped
An artist’s drawing of the proposed twin cinemas of 864 and the at that time and the complex became known as
At the time the complex gained council Forum with 408. Both auditoria offered the Townsville Twin.
approval, the well know Queensland based stadium style seating.
exhibitors Birch, Carroll and Coyle (BCC) had The twin cinema continued to operate until
been established in Townsville for over 50 The pre-opening hype promised Stereophonic 1990. When it was demolished to make way
years. They had been the operators of the Sound, 70 mm and 35 mm projection, as well for the BCC4 (later BCC5), now called Event
historic Wintergarden Theatre for much of as large wrap around screens. Cinemas, which still occupy the site. ★
that time.
The official opening was performed by the Credits:
The twin cinema concept was a first for a deputy premier of Queensland, Sir Gordon Townsville Library, Local History Section,
regional city and also a first for the BCC chain. Chalk on Thursday night 26 August 1971. The Mathew Index.
The complex was to be built on the corner of official opening took place in the larger of the Townsville Daily Bulletin (Trove)
Sturt and Blackwood Streets, on the site two cinemas, the Odeon.
previously occupied by the Ford car dealership.
Both the Odeon and The wreckers have moved in.
the Forum were open
to the public on the
following night, Friday
27 August. The
opening attractions
were Darling Lilli,
staring Rock Hudson
and Julie Andrews in
the Odeon and Love
Story with Ryan
O'Neill in the Forum.

28 CINEMARECORD # 100