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The New Jubilee

Named the Lowood Jubilee Theatre in honour
of the Silver Jubilee of the reign of King George
V and to mark the Golden Jubilee of John Walters
residence in the Lowood district, a new theatre
was built using day labour under his supervision
on Walter Street with the railway behind.

The close proximity of the railway sometimes
proved to be a source of great disruption at the
theatre when trains were being shunted. Two
street-front cafes on Walter Street greeted theatre
goers. Between them was the theatre entrance,
where past the ticket window direct access was Opening Night.
gained to the auditorium.

Seating 450-500 on a good night, three- Grand Opening Night was Monday May Detailed records from the Jubilee begin in
seat folding canvas chairs provided 6, 1935 with Me and My Gal being the February 1938. John Samuel Walters (Jack)
popular and comfortable seating for the feature film presented with several hundred and his wife Margaret took over management
movies, with wooden bench, pew and in attendance. in 1937 after Claude Cowley, who had leased
single chairs providing extra capacity the theatre and cafes from opening in 1935.
when needed. The official opening ceremony was
conducted by Sir Littleton Groom, M.P.
The Jubilee Theatre’s 70 by 50ft and later the floor was cleared of chairs,
auditorium with high decorative arches and to the strains of the Blue and White
above, provided a versatile space. Its Syncopaters, from Sandgate, dancing
floor of imported beech, with tongue-and- was enjoyed. Euchre was played on the
groove joinery (to prevent warping) bore spacious front landing.”
witness to not only “the pictures” but also
fetes, revues, fancy dress and debutante In order from May 1935, the first films
balls, euchre parties, public meetings, at the new Jubilee were; Me and My Gal,
political rallies and auctions. State Fair, Smoke Lightning, Charlie Chan’s
Chance, Baby take a Bow, Bottoms Up, Hold
During WW2 fundraisers such as The That Girl, Chandu the Magician, Mr. Skitch,
Queensland Patriotic Appeal Fund even saw The Sporting Widow, Movie Crazy, and
metropolitan stars tread the boards on the Heritage of the Desert.
theatre’s stage.

Above the cafe and entry/box-office stood the
two theatre galleries separated the centrally
located projection room.

Original projectors were Kalee’s, with the
sound heads and amplifier built in Brisbane
by the Sound Equipment Service Company.
In subsequent years and before installation
of Cummings and Wilson CP7 projectors
with Raycophone 102 sound in June
1948, Simplex machines and RCA
Photophone sound may have been installed.

CINEM AREC ORD 2012 27