Page 24 - CinemaRecord #84

By Gerry Kennedy

Paragon Theatre interior c2013

hilders (population 1500) is situated on then district population of c.4000. In 1927, horses from South Isis. Timber lattice and
Cthe Bruce Highway, some 340 km north Gee’s Hall was partially demolished, altered fretwork has been extensively used for deco-
of Brisbane, at the centre of an intensive sugar or rebuilt foe the conversion into the new ration and airflow throughout the auditorium.
and agricultural area. Paragon, theatre. The building was a fine In cooler weather, canvas sheeting was ap-
example of tropical theatre architecture, de- plied to the louvre and lattice areas to reduce
In 1906, William and Minette Gee and family signed by architect A. Robson of Brisbane, a air flow. It is a two level theatre that originally
(including Dudley and Margery) moved from designer of over 20 cinemas, and built by P. accommodated over 1000 patrons, but that
Bundaberg to Childers and set up a fruit and Mellefort Jnr., opening in 1927. capacity was later reduced to 667.
bakery business at 75 Churchill Street (Bruce
Highway). This business grew rapidly, and an In the days before air conditioning, buildings
upstairs hall was added in 1908 which was in the tropics were designed to maximize air Gees Hall c.1920
known as Gee’s Hall. This hall was used for flow, often assisted by large ceiling fans.
dancing, functions and roller skating. In 1912, Highlight windows or louvres were also fea-
a lighting generator was installed and film tured in the side walls. Building materials
screenings commenced. The first film was were chosen to minimize heat retention. Tim-
The Iron Claw. ber and flat/corrugated iron products were
popular as well as economical.
A second venue, the Palace Theatre, was
established in a hall at the rear of the Palace The Paragon is a large theatre built in this
Hotel and was operated by Harold Philpott, tropical style. The façade is rendered brick
commencing film screenings in 1912. with a pretentious central arched marquee.
The underside of the marquee is lined with
Later, the two opposition entrepreneurs, Ha- pressed patterned metal.
rold Philpott and Dudley Gee, went into part-
nership running a small cinema circuit in The voluminous auditorium is of timber con-
out-lying towns. As business prospered, they struction with a gabled iron roof. It is support-
decided to build a new cinema to service the ed by large timber poles that were dragged by

24 CINEMARECORD # 84