Page 24 - CR

Pride By

of the Sam

Huon Turner

u
ust 47km southwest of Hobart, the small Tasmanian town of Franklin is snugly st 47km southwest of Hobart, the small Tasmanian town of Franklin is snugly
nestled between lush hills and the beautiful Huon River. Until the 1930s it was a
Jnestled between lush hills and the beautiful Huon River. Until the 1930s it was a
thriving major town in the Huon Valley, but today is a sedate backwater that retains a
thriving major town in the Huon Valley, but today is a sedate backwater that retains a
delightfully unspoilt “Village” atmosphere.
delightfully unspoilt “Village” atmosphere.
The Palais Theatre was originally The Palais Theatre was originally
opened as the Franklin Town Hall on opened as the Franklin Town Hall on
July 10, 1912. The hall was leased to July 10, 1912. The hall was leased to
the The Royal Bioscope and Skating the The Royal Bioscope and Skating
Company who screened a program Company who screened a program
of short (silent) films every Saturday of short (silent) films every Saturday
evening with Roller-Skating held every evening with Roller-Skating held every
Wednesday evening and Saturday
Wednesday evening and Saturday
afternoon - for ladies only.
afternoon - for ladies only.
The
The first program by the Royal Bioscope first program by the Royal Bioscope
The local newspaper, The Huon Times
and Skating Company was screened on
The local newspaper, The Huon Times and Skating Company was screened on
Saturday
reported on July 27, 1912:
reported on July 27, 1912: Saturday August 3, 1912. August 3, 1912.
The main feature of the opening program
bioscope
Saturdayday
nights,
“On Satur nights, bioscope The main feature of the opening program
“On
was The Fall of Troy (which was 2,000 as The Fall of Troy (which was 2,000
entertainments will be held in the Franklin w
entertainments will be held in the Franklin
feet) followed by the following shorts:
Town Hall, at which all the films exhibited feet) followed by the following shorts:
Town Hall, at which all the films exhibited ll
Ov
will be specially selected by the management Over the Garden Wall a Vitagraph er the Garden Wall a Vitagraph l
will be specially selected by the management
c
from the latest importations. One of the comedy drama, Portuguese Centaurs omedy drama, Portuguese Centaurs
from the latest importations. One of the
– Feats of horsemanship; Sports In Feats of horsemanship; Sports In
most modern types of the famous Gaumont
most modern types of the famous Gaumont –
America – with a genuine collision
bioscopes has been procured, and this will
bioscopes has been procured, and this will America – with a genuine collision
between two engines; Rory O’Moore –
be operated with electric light generated between two engines; Rory O’Moore –
be operated with electric light generated
Drama with Irish scenes: The Sepoy’s
by a De Dion motor, fitted on to one of the
by a De Dion motor, fitted on to one of the Drama with Irish scenes: The Sepoy’s
Wife – Exciting drama; Snapshots at
most modern dynamos. This plant will also Wife – Exciting drama; Snapshots at
most modern dynamos. This plant will also
Henley – scenic.
be used to illuminate the exterior of the Henley – scenic.
be used to illuminate the exterior of the
hall. Altogether 5,000 ft of films will be put
hall. Altogether 5,000 ft of films will be put
The music was supplied by Mr A.J
through the bioscope machine.”
through the bioscope machine.” The music was supplied by Mr A.J
Frankcomb on the piano.
Frankcomb on the piano.

24 2012 CINEMAREC ORD