Page 20 - CinemaRecord #79

he idea for a modern drive-in theatre for this Perth suburb had been
Tseveral years before the dream came to fruition for local movie-goers…
A.W. Crooks 1957.
20 2013 CINEM AREC ORD
mooted by Claremont District Theatres as early as 1950, but it would be
The new Lakeway Drive-In Theatre would Initially there were two separate sessions each
ultimately operate under a long lease to Ace night and a holding area was provided for
Theatres. Constructed on government owned vehicles waiting to attend the second show. The
land by A.Doubikin (master builders from theatre also featured a small “sit-in” area for
Applecross), the bushland site formed a patrons without cars.
naturally sloping amphitheatre adjacent to Lake
Claremont. The Lakeway remained a popular venue for the
next 25 years, however with the advent of home
The bitumen sealed parking field could cater for video entertainment, audiences diminished and
some 618 cars in front of the huge CinemaScope Ace Theatres did not renew their lease, closing
screen. The Cinemeccanica equipped projection the theatre on June 1, 1984.
room was a stand-alone building built midway
between the screen and the modern brick café With the support of local churches, a group
and children’s playground at the rear of the site. of businessmen formed “Family Films” and
reopened the theatre on September 5, 1984
The café provided a complete range of food and with a 6-month trial of G-rated programs. Such
drinks which could be enjoyed on a colourful programming proved unsuccessful and the
patio area or in the comfort of the family car. theatre closed again in February 1985.
Patrons could press a button on their speaker for
café service directly to their vehicle. Experienced WA operator, John Marsden then
negotiated for a lease and restored the theatre.
A special Opening Night was held for invited Renaming it Oceanview, it reopened on March
guests on Wednesday April 17, 1957 when the 29, 1985 with the film Gremlins.
Mayor of Claremont, Mr A.W Crooks planted
a tree as part of the official opening ceremony. Unfortunately a combination of constant
The theatre then opened to the public on the vandalism attacks and an inability to secure first
following night, Thursday April 18, 1957. release film product led to the final closure of
the venue in July 1985. Whilst still operational,
new tenants never eventuated and after many
years of dereliction, the property was eventually
cleared to make way for 39 housing lots.
At the official red-carpet launch of the
“Lakeway Residential Development” in May
2008, the tree-planting ceremony of 1957 was
repeated some 51 years later by Christopher Pye
(son of John Pye, the original theatre owner);
Corry Bodney (Noongar Elder) and Mayor
Peter Olson.
An interpretive artwork display has been
installed to recall the history of the site.
Compiled by Kevin Adams from information by Max
D. Bell; Christopher Schweizer; The West Australian.
Projectionist Schweizer threads up - 1970s.