Page 17 - CinemaRecord #85

were screwed onto the walls. These have since
been covered over to facilitate air conditioning.

The original auditorium seated 600 on one
floor in a gable roofed building with skillions
over the side aisles. The canvas seats were
arranged in three blocks. The stage was wide
and modest dressing rooms were included.
There was no ceiling in the auditorium. The
theatre was built on solid foundations with
brick, plaster and timber.
In 1962, with the onset of the effects of
television the owners sold the theatre to a
partnership of Clive Bauer and Ben De Luca.

After the untimely deaths of Mr and Mrs
Bauer, Ben De Luca purchased the Bauer’s
share of the theatre. His showmanship has seen
the theatre survive and evolve into its current
form. The current frontage with its spacious
residence and patios above were added. The
frontage and sides of the theatre contain
plantings of tropical coconut trees and
bougainvillea.
A former feature of the residence was a 10
metre wide glass window, with motorised
curtains, that allowed viewing of the original
screen from the lounge room. After alterations
to the auditorium this feature was later
removed.

The original seats were canvas, and some still
remained and proved very popular with
tourists. However, they were removed to stage
the joint world premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s
blockbuster “Australia”.

Left: Cinema 1. Below: Cinema 2

CINEMARECORD # 85 17