Page 22 - CinemaRecord #85

The Cinemas of Fremantle

Adapted from the website of Garry Gillard

he City of Fremantle (pop. 30,000) is located at the mouth Five Star Tattoo occupies the former cinema's offices. One of the staff
Tof the Swan River 35 km south west of Perth. Fremantle is was kind enough to allow me into the cinema auditorium which is still
intact, although completely empty, unused and without a ceiling, the
renowned for its well-preserved architectural heritage, including balconies which are dimly visible in the photograph at top right (under
convict-built colonial-era buildings, an old jetty and port, and
the large poster) can still be seen from the street. The ironwork displays
prisons; presenting a variety and unity of historic buildings and the initials MT.
streetscapes.
Three former city cinema buildings still exist in
Fremantle: the Majestic Theatre is completely
empty and in disrepair; the Princess Theatre is used
for storage; while the King's Theatre is now a night
club.

THE MAJESTIC THEATRE

The Majestic Theatre was in High Street, in the
middle of what is now the High Street Mall, a
one-block section of the former street which is now
closed to vehicular traffic.
The Majestic opened in 1916 and was closed in
1938 when the site was redeveloped for retail, the
original façade is over what is now the Manning
Arcade. Above: 1930s Majestic frontage. Image: Fremantle City Library Local History Collection

The Majestic Theatre is at right of centre. The sign on the top of the building says TALKIES, this
would seem to date the image to the early 1930s. The Fremantle Town Hall is in the
background. Image: Fremantle City Library Local History Collection.

22 CINEMARECORD # 85