Page 28 - CinemaRecord #79

During this boom period, Gladstone picture-
goers were now well served by movies at both
the Embassy and Regent theatres. However,
this happy state of affairs was to be short-lived,
as sadly, the Embassy Theatre proved to be
ill-fated from the beginning. Prior to 1947, the
theatre had suffered two previous disasters.
It was largely destroyed by fire in March 1942
and not reopened until 1943.

The entrance to the theatre was badly damaged,
the gallery, and operating box were completely
destroyed, and considerable damage was done
to the main hall. The only part to escape the
flames was the stage.

It was re-opened in 1943, but within three
days of re-opening the rear of the building was
demolished by a cyclone and screenings did
not resume for some weeks!

The final and fatal blow was struck on
Embassy, November 1947. November 22, 1947 when the luxurious
Embassy, along with surrounding shops and
the Royal Hotel were burnt to the ground.

A fire that had started in the Embassy Café
at the front of the theatre, soon spread into
the auditorium, and then into the adjoining
building. Its progress was impeded for a
short time by a concrete wall to the side of
the Newsagency, but flames then spread to
the two-storey Royal Hotel on the corner of
Goondoon and William Streets.

In all, five businesses were completely gutted
in the ensuing blaze. Although fire services
raced to the scene after sparks were noticed
coming from the back of the building, poor
water pressure hindered their endeavours.

Casualties attended by the Ambulance brigade
included Miss Phyllis Smith, barmaid,
who suffered from shock, John Sellwood,
fisherman, who suffered abrasions and shock
when he fell from the building while fighting
the fire, Allan Cant, railway employee,
fractured and dislocated his leg and ankle
when he jumped from a balcony, and Kevin
Carnegie, who was treated for shock. Fire
Chief Trott received burns to his right hand
and the fingers of his left hand.

Above and Right: Embassy after the 1947 Fire.

28 2013 CINEM AREC ORD