Page 33 - CinemaRecord #77C
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Malanda.
Far North
Queensland
By Brian Hunt
n a mid-year visit to Cairns last year,
OI witnessed the remains of the Rex
Theatre where demolition was apparently
commenced illegally......concrete floor and one
wall still standing. Locals have reported to me
that it has now been totally demolished.
I later visited the site of the former Cairns
Drive In (screen still standing) and saw the
Rex Theatre demolition.
old Plaza Theatre which is now the office of
an insurance company. Sadly all this theatre
history has been superseded by a modern
cinema complex in the city.
An afternoon visit to the hills near Cairns
provided happier news. The Rodeo Drive-
In at Mareeba is still screening. Sessions are Bernie Rayner at Malanda.
on Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes
on Sundays when there is a long weekend.
Norm Janke operated the drive-in for many
years. He sold it to Sam Torrisi, but due to
health problems Sam leased the theatre to
Melissa O’Brien and Peter and Amanda
Abandoned Coral Twin Drive-In, Cairns. Flynn. Peter gave me an excellent tour of the
Drive In and its equipment.
Next it was on to Malanda and the Majestic
Theatre. This is purported to be the Malanda auditorium.
oldest continuously operating commercial
cinema in Queensland and has been
running since 1927. The current operators Screenings are generally held on Fridays,
are Charmaine and Bernie Rayner (Rayner Saturdays and Sundays. Live theatre is also
Pacific Partners). presented at the Majestic by the Malanda Theatre
Co. who produce a number of shows during
Bernie gave me a comprehensive tour of the the year. Bernie made me feel most welcome
cinema and during interval I was able to take and tours are available on request to interested
internal photos. For control purposes, Bernie people. Old style “Picture Shows” can still be
separates the audience.....family groups and found in the Cairns region! H
Cairns Plaza as offices. older people seated to the left and teenagers
to the right. So this keeps everyone happy. Photographs by Brian Hunt.
Rodeo Drive-In Café and Bio-Box. Rodeo Slide Projector.
CINEM AREC ORD 2013 33
