Page 27 - CinemaRecord #79

Picture-shows as a form of entertainment
became increasingly popular everywhere
during the war years, and Gladstone was not
an exception. This small country town saw
an influx of American soldiers who were
billeted by the hundreds at the Cotton Ginnery
(near Barney Point) as they passed through
Gladstone on their way to the Pacific Islands.
They regularly went to the local dances and the
picture-shows, eager for light entertainment.
Most nights would see the American
servicemen queued for some hundred
metres outside the theatres. In fact, as Keith
Upton reminisced, it was the Americans
who introduced the locals to queuing. Local
residents soon found it to be the order of the Regent Theatre candy bar.
day, ‘Stand one behind the other, and then wait
your turn,’ the American soldiers told them.
Saturday matinees were a very popular event
As well as the feature movie, the public also as there would be a serial (one-episode shown
came to see the newsreels, which provided each week), also two feature movies and
a weekly on-the-spot visual coverage of the cartoons. Admission prices were two shillings
conflict. (20 cents) for adults and sixpence (5 cents) for
children. Saturday evenings were great family
There were usually two newsreels screened outings and most patrons had permanent
at the Regent. The first would be the 20th reservations for both Saturday and midweek
Century Fox Movietone Newsreel (world sessions.
events), followed later by Cinesound
News (Australian newsreel clips).

Regent Theatre auditorium.

CINEM AREC ORD 2013 27