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Kay Branton Remembers The Living Desert (c.1954) to be
I have such fond memories of going worthwhile.
to the Paramount from the late 1950s To say that the theatre was plain
to late 60s. By then Maryborough had inside was to put it mildly, but with the
grown to more than 7,000 people. It introduction of wide-screen the
was declared a City in 1965. management took every opportunity to
At Saturday matinees there was decorate the foyer and stage for big
always a serial, several cartoons and productions such as South Pacific and
then the movie, usually a western, with King of Kings. To our eyes the theatre
Audie Murphy a favourite. looked exciting.
Kids were allowed downstairs only, Later, in the 60s, it was de rigueur to
where they were easier to control, as sit in the same upstairs seat every
there was always lots of chatter, Saturday night with your boyfriend,
scuffles amongst the boys and Jaffas surrounded by other couples in their same
rolling down the aisles. The projection seats! Interval meant a trip to the milk bar
room was also at the back of the stalls. next door for a Blue Heaven milkshake
My father didn’t think much of and to catch up on all the gossip.
films. He only took me to the A bus came into Maryborough from
Paramount twice - breaking his own nearby Dunolly, so my then boyfriend
rule - because he considered airman had to walk me home fairly quickly,
Douglas Bader’s life story Reach For then sprint back to the theatre so he
the Sky (c.1957) and Walt Disney’s wouldn't miss the bus home!

Everyones, 30 April 1930 Present owner Rod How, a CATHS’ member, stands beside the old Kalee 11.
When installed in 1935 the theatre letterhead read: ‘Talking pictures at their best
Raycophone extended frequency sound system’.

In Brief:
Paramount Cinema 56 Nolan Street, Maryborough Later owners: 1934 Sam and Eileen Wills
1936 Frank O'Halloran
Built For: Rosina McDonald 1951Bruce Selleck
Maryborough Technical School
Architect: Not known
c.1994 John Medlin
Opened: Tues. 19 Oct. 1926 Norma Talmadge
2005 to now: Rod How
Graustauk plus The Silent Avenger
Projectors: 1934: Kalee 11
Initial seating: 1,360
Current: Bauer U3
Sound: c. August 1930
CinemaScope: September 1955
Twinned: 2000
Anniversary: 80 years, 21 Oct. 2006

CINEMARECORD 2007 35