Page 15 - CinemaRecord #86

equipment was Powers. He also told an
interesting anecdote concerning former
operator Mr. Cunningham. This gentleman
also screened films in the School of Arts at
Paterson. One day he lost his driver's licence
and could no longer drive between Paterson
and Morpeth. So he acquired a launch, and
served both towns that way, commuting by
river. Mr. Bob Colefax, a former
projectionist at the theatre from 1942 to
1945, informed me that no alterations were
carried out during his time at the theatre, and
that the stage end of the auditorium was not
wide (as it is today), but narrow, and very
long, ie. as the rear section presently is. If
Mr. Colefax's memory is correct, then the
alterations carried out in 1954 widened the
auditorium and the screen (the latter for
CinemaScope).
After closure, the theatre was used for the
storage of boats and emergency equipment
Morpeth Astor interior, showing the widening of the hall towards the stage for the local Civil Defence unit.
During 19 to 28 November, 1971, Morpeth
the erection of his fine building. The opening new, widened proscenium. The auditorium was celebrated 150 years of settlement, organised
feature was The Forbidden Woman. Mr. W. repainted in a light blue with gold trim, and new by the Morpeth District Progress
O'Hearn, MLA, was present and also addressed Kalee projectors were installed. The Astor held Association. The Astor was given a
the gathering. The Lady Mayoress, Mrs. a gala reopening on 30 July with the MGM film thorough spring clean and reopened on
Connolly, then cut the ribbon drawn across the Lili, because at that time it could not procure a
26 November 1971 for a Debutantes' Ball.
stage. CinemaScope release. The theatre advertised
again that it was under new management and After that it again fell into disuse, eventually
The floor in the theatre was built of tallow was now equipped with the latest projection and being used for furniture storage. In more
wood, in order that it also be used for dancing. sound system. recent times, the front awning collapsed
Reputedly, the floor was laid by the same during a storm and the building became very
contractor who constructed the famous dance In November 1954, the theatre advertised dilapidated.
floor in the Sydney Trocadero Ballroom. Exclusive to the District, with four sessions,
Walt Disney's Peter Pan, with buses leaving The In 1997 David Griffin, a member of the
The theatre licence had been revoked from Belmore Corner, Maitland, decorated with Australian Cinema and Theatre Society,
14 November 1929, and was relicensed from Peter Pan signs. made a submission to the National Trust in
29 November 1929, with a registered seating order to have the Astor Theatre listed. He
capacity of 795, as the Regal Picture Palace. December 1954 saw "Australia's Greatest Tivoli stated that The former Astor Picture Palace
There is no mention of the name Regal in the Stars" play at the Astor. It is believed this was and Ballroom possesses both historical and
newspapers at the time - it is referred to as the a first for the Astor, and certainly an exclusive, social significance as a vital part of
Astor. Perhaps this was a misprint in the for the show did not tour to Maitland itself. Morpeth's community activities. Originally
department's files. erected as the Primitive Methodist Church
A week of CinemaScope favourites was in 1855, it was used as the town's first
The Astor settled down to a routine of films and advertised in July 1959, while in the middle Government school, and became a cinema
community events. In June 1930, it was the of the week the theatre became the Astor in 1921. It was rebuilt as a larger theatre
venue for the Junior Football Club Dance and Danceland, with "The Modernaires". Dances and ballroom in 1929, the original church
the Cricket Club Ball, but both were postponed were also held with the Astor Ballroom remaining as part of the building. The Astor
until July, like many other activities in the area, Orchestra. was also used for flower shows, balls,
because of flooding. The pantomime, debutante presentations, community singing,
Cinderella, from the Sydney State Theatre, Disaster struck on 16 February 1962, when a dancing, pantomimes and films. As a cinema
fire caused damage estimated at approximately
travelled through the picture theatres in the it has experienced silent films to talkies, and
Newcastle region and played at the Astor on £3,000 to the projection and sound equipment black-and-white to CinemaScope.
23 January 1932. and also the roofing timbers. The Astor was
then owned by Mr. Albert William Kent, of The Astor Theatre and Ballroom is listed
Guyra, NSW, and run by Mr. Peter Jones. The in Maitland City Council's Heritage Study
Sound on film was installed in 1932.
theatre was closed until the damage was and Local Environment Plan, and is regarded
repaired. It reopened on 22 June 1962 with as an essential element to the streetscape of
On 27 July 1934, the Astor advertised -
Exclusive Presentation. All Australian Swiss Family Robinson. The Astor Danceland the town. In recent years, some effort has
50/50 Dance, with The Modernaires, returned been made to repair it, and a new roof has
presentation of the film The Life Story of John in July 1962.
Lee, the man they could not hang. been put in place, but at the time of writing
it is still disused, which is a pity given its
The Astor continued to operate under Peter amazing history. Anyone visiting Morpeth
In August 1934, the theatre came under a new Jones until closing on 11 April 1964, with The
proprietor, Mr. C.R. Garnham. The following Greatest Show On Earth. Falling attendances is recommended to stop and have a look at
notice was inserted in the Mercury: The this very historic building. ê
were blamed, and a sale of the theatre fittings
undersigned wishes to inform the public of was held the next weekend. The lease had Acknowledgements
Morpeth and surrounding districts that he has expired and was not renewed. By then the
taken control of the above theatre. Only the Maitland theatres had closed also, victims of I wish to thank State Records of NSW for
best pictures to be screened. television. permission to print excerpts from the official file
of the Board of Fire Commissioners, Box
In 1954, further alterations were made to the Local historian Mr Harold Boyle informed me 20/14957.
theatre and CinemaScope was installed with a that, from 1924 onwards, the projection Images: Copyright Les Tod

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