Page 34 - CinemaRecord #79

Palais Manager and staff.

Promoting
Palais Pictures. After demolition of the Joy Ark at the waterfront
in 1925 and transfer of some materials, the Palais
Royal was built up the hill in Moorabool Street,
and opened for dancing and simultaneous silent
films in 1927. Again, little has been recorded
about its history over the years. However, a
note from the diary of a former projectionist
at the Plaza Theatre, James Fenton, shows
that he moved from the Plaza to become the
Palais projectionist on September 13 1940.

Many years ago, the author was allowed access
Stage set for dance band. to the projection room by the then owner of
the Palais, Laurie Slack. At that time, the two
silent projectors were a Pathe and a Powers,
one of which was still fitted with a hand fed
Hahn Goerz arc lamp. However, removal of
the stairway from the present balcony up to
the former projection room now means that
the only access is via a ladder from backstage
up into the ceiling above the auditorium using
a safety harness, and this did not appeal to the
author. We understand that the projectors have
long since disappeared, with only a few carbon
butts and a “power supply” of some sort still
remaining.

James Fenton’s son, Philip, relates the story that
one evening when his father was working, a fire
broke out in the projection room. Fenton headed
down the stairs at high speed, only to meet the
resident fireman coming up the stairs at similar
speed. Both ended up at the bottom, battered
and bruised. The fire must have been put out, as
Palais Royal in 1926.
the building is still intact.
In 1984, the Palais gained a licence to
conduct Bingo sessions, which continue to the
present day. The current owners, the Tripolino
family, have a long history of supporting the
performing arts, and are about to embark on a
major restoration of the building which will see
Geelong with a new arts centre, built for use and
operation by the local community.
The family is to be applauded for their plans and
community spirit in this work.

Palais Royal Pictures and dancing 1926. Palais dance crowd 1940s.

34 2013 CINEM AREC ORD