Page 27 - CR

John Payne

Recounts a past visit

to Queensland’s

Silent-Movie House

n a visit to family at Noosa in Originally it was known simply as the The hall was leased as a silent movie
OQueensland, back in 2007, we Majestic Hall and had been used as a theatre in 1923, with a licence issued
were advised that the Majestic Theatre multi-purpose venue. This had included that has been retained to this date.
at Pomona had undergone renovations use as a silent movie cinema for the
and updates. travelling showman. It also hosted The first 'talkie' was screened on April
debutante balls, concerts, stage plays, 28, 1931, and the Majestic Hall became
The previous time we had visited the roller skating, boxing tournaments, etc. the Majestic Theatre in 1933.
theatre was in 2002. At that time the
stars shining in the roof reminded me of Films were shown three nights a week
Melbourne’s Forum Theatre - except - except during the Second World War,
these stars were holes in the iron roof! when a local army camp provided
On our return this time, we were regular nightly patronage.
impressed by the work that had been Ernie Bazzo, the local garage owner,
carried out through local effort.
ran the theatre from 1933 (with later
The building had been constructed assistance from his son) until 1973.
in 1921 for Mrs Myra Osborne, the Then Ron and Mandy West came to
licensee of the Railway Hotel, a few Above: Diggers’ Ball in the Majestic, 1938. town with the intention of arranging a
doors down Factory Street. Below: The Majestic, Exterior in 1926. 'Travelling Film Festival' at the theatre.

CINEMAREC ORD 2011 27