Page 21 - CinemaRecord #79

RSE - TASMANIA’S FIRST DRIVE-IN Compiled by
Sam Turner &
Kevin Adams

The most modern, stainless-steel kitchen
equipment was installed at a cost of 11,000
pounds, including an infra-red griller which
could cook up to 12 steaks in 60 seconds!

Children were well catered for with a 80x20ft
playground that was well illuminated,
decorated with painted cartoon characters and
originally featured log swings, slides, rockers
and swing boats and even a train ride! In
addition, a “Nursery Nook” was also provided
for toddlers within this area.

“Uncle Neil’s Birthday Club” was
soon established and members
who attended on their birthday would have it
announced over the theatre sound system and Racetrack and Drive-In.
receive a gift.

Westrex sound and projection equipment
was installed in the bio-box and for the first
time in Australia, powerful Ashcroft Super-
Cinex carbon arcs were used to illuminate
the screen some 280 feet away. Elevated 20ft
above ground level, this screen was built for
wide-screen CinemaScope presentations and
showed a picture 45ft high and 105ft wide.
Capable of withstanding 100mph winds,
construction was of tubular steel framework
with oregon beams and a painted Masonite
face.
The theatre proved to be a popular
venue and operated under the
Village Theatres banner for the remainder of
its days.
Closure came in March 1985 and ultimately
the screen, ramps and ticket box were removed,
whilst the cafe/bio building was retained and
converted for equine uses.
In 2004 the Tasmanian Government undertook
a $20 million redevelopment of the entire
site which finally obliterated all traces of
Tasmania’s first drive-in theatre.

*A second venue, Eastside Drive-In opened in 1965.
Information provided by Sam Turner; Adrian
Jacobson; Stephen Jones. Photos and art from the
Sam Turner and Kevin Adams collections.

Final show
1985.

CINEM AREC ORD 2013 21