Page 22 - CinemaRecord #79

ver eighty years ago, Gladstone in Queensland was a small coastal port of about 3000 inhabitants, dependent on its meatworks, butter factory
Oand rural industries. In 2013 it is a wealthy provincial city, its region having a population of around 60,000 inhabitants, its port facilities
acclaimed as of national importance, and a centre for industrial expansion.

Movies were first shown in Australia around Over the years, movie venues have come and
1898 (in Melbourne), and were soon seen gone, and changes have been wrought in the
in even the smallest hamlets within a few motion-picture industry throughout the time
years. Although itinerant showmen may have between the first picture-theatre in Gladstone,
presented earlier shows in local halls, the first and the present day.
picture shows recorded to have been held
in Gladstone were at the Theatre Royal in When describing the cinema history of
Yarroon Street, opposite the Bluebell Hotel, Gladstone the names of Clapham and Upton
where both John Nash and Thomas Ryalls are well known.
presented shows in 1912. Stan Clapham arrived in Gladstone in 1920 and
Ryalls was also associated with the Strand became the manager of Gladstone Theatres
and the Lincoln Theatres, in Goondoon Street. Ltd (owned by a group of local businessmen)
In 1915, a group called Gladstone Amusement from 1927 to 1936.He managed the Lincoln
Company was formed by local businessmen, Hall, Strand, Embassy and he also had an
to secure the rights to showing pictures at local interest in the Regent Theatre.
venues.
In the late 1920s city picture-theatres had Since 1935 the Uptons, starting with Trevor
become lavish picture-palaces, such as Hoyts and later his son Keith, and their families
chain of Regent theatres which were opened were a force on the cinema scene. Trevor
in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide Upton started his film career with a travelling
and Perth. These huge theatres had decorative picture show servicing the small Queensland
facades of renaissance design and featured communities of Biggenden, Yandina,
opulent foyers and interior furnishings. Montville as well as other towns. He then ran
Other chains of cinemas were built in major films at the School of Arts in Wondai.
cities in opposition to Hoyts, and the cinema
industry thrived throughout Australia. The Upton family moved to Gladstone in 1935
taking a lease on the Town Hall (500 seats
However, many country towns were too small on one level). This was situated at the corner
to host a permanent facility, and locals eagerly of Goondoon and Bramston Streets and now
anticipated travelling shows as a diversion houses the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery
from listening to wireless plays, and as an and Museum.
alternative to the local dances. There was
little else in the way of entertainment in small
towns, and the locals were keen to experience
what their city cousins enjoyed regularly.

Theatre Royal as Tracadero Hall. Former Theatre Royal building.

22 2013 CINEM AREC ORD