Page 26 - CR

In 1938 the Franklin Hall
Committee secured a £2,500
loan through the Huon Municipal
Council to increase revenue by
refurbishing the hall into a more modern
and up-to-date picture-theatre.

A new art deco proscenium was
constructed, the original 1912 pressed
metal ceiling was raised and a 100-seat
dress-circle was constructed.

The projection room was also raised so
that the projection ports were above the
dress-circle – which along with the stalls
area, had new seating installed.The
theatre was renamed The Palais and re-
opened on December 21, 1938 with the
MGM film Maytime.

New 1938 Decor. Entrance foyer and ticket box.

The Mercury newspaper reported on
February 9, 1939:

“The Premier Mr A.G Ogilvie will officially
open the New Palais Theatre at Franklin
tonight. The theatre, (formerly the Franklin
Town Hall) was constructed at a cost of
£2,500 by a loan secured by the Hall committee
through the Huon Municipal Council. Keith Cruickshank continued screening
films at the Palais from 1948 until the
theatre closed in the late 1960s due to
The object of the committee was to make the
hall a better revenue producing medium by the the introduction of television in 1960
introduction to the district of talking pictures. which had greatly affected attendances.
Mr W. R. Higgins continued to lease and
The theatre is one of the most up-to-date of its operate the theatre until 1948. Upstairs Lodge / Supper Room.
kind in the state. Modernity and comfort are
outstanding features of the building, which Film Weekly Magazine published the
is an asset to the district. The dress-circle, following article on September 23, 1948:
which seats more than 100 persons, leaves
little to be desired, while the mural ceiling New Lessee of Franklin Theatre
and proscenium appointments are pleasing. “The tender of Cowling, Cruickshank
The acoustic properties are excellent. and Douglas of Hobart, for a five year
lease of the Franklin Palais Theatre
Since the first programme was screened has been accepted. The Committee
before Christmas, large audiences have recommended that the tender of the firm Keith operated the cinema with his
attended the theatre, which has been leased to show pictures at a rental of £5 10s, for family for as long as he could, and
to Mr. W. R. Higgins of Hobart.” Saturday nights, £2 5s for Wednesday even purchased expensive anamorphic
nights, 10s for matinees, and £3 10s projection lenses and introduced
for the holidays be accepted.” CinemaScope - but the Palais was no
longer viable and closed in 1967. Many
A neon sign was also installed on country and some city cinemas
the front of the theatre after the in Tasmania closed in the
Second World War. 1960s after the introduction
of television.

26 2012 CINEMAREC ORD