Page 38 - CinemaRecord #86

by Anthony Owen
Dungog is a picturesque town with a population of
2300 nestled in the Williams River Valley at the foot
of the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops rain
forest area on the mid North Coast of New South
Wales.

The history of film presentation in Dungog goes back
to at least 1912. The first regular film screenings
commenced in December of that year by the Dungog
Electric Lighting Company. The open air venue was
on land owned by James Stuart. Eventually, a The James Theatre, Dungog NSW, 2015
permanent building was constructed, opening in
January 1918. The building was renovated in 1930, and the now heritage-listed Spanish Mission Facade was added. Over the years, the building
has also served as a Community Centre for meetings, dances, debutante balls and the like.

As happened everywhere, the coming of television, and video/DVD popularity caused
falling patronage. The theatre was sold by the Stuart Family in 1979 to the Dungog Shire
Council who continue as the current owner.

Mr. Ken Reeve became proprietor in 1981 and ran regular movies for more than 20 years,
but ill health finally forced him to close. I remember going to the pictures on Saturday
nights at Dungog in the 1980s. For $5, patrons enjoyed a double feature and free tea or
coffee at interval. Sadly, attendance was often poor.
New life was given in 2007 with the commencement of the Dungog Film Festival of
Australian Films. The Dungog Film Society (now
known as The Friends of the James Theatre) also
commenced screening films from time to time. In
2012, the local Council invested $100,000 in digital projection equipment to help secure the future of the
James Theatre.
In 1937, Cinesound Productions released one of its last feature films, Tall Timbers, which was filmed in
the Dungog area forests.
Other films have been made in the area, including The Earthling (1979) starring William Holden, who was
often seen in Dungog and impressed the locals with his friendliness. In 2009, Ambience Entertainment
filmed parts of Tomorrow When the War Began in Dungog town.
Frequent film presentations continue. I recently had a trip down memory lane, visiting Dungog from my
home in Wollongong. It was appropriate that this historic theatre was showing How to Marry a Millionaire
with Marilyn Monroe. This is an historic movie, as it was the first to be shot by Fox in CinemaScope in
1953. However it was released second to The Robe.
An excellent book “Entertaining Dungog” by Michael Williams is about the history of the James Theatre, and
is available from The Friends of the James Theatre on their web site. The cost is $10 plus $5 postage. «

Long live the James Theatre.
Acknowledgements:
“Entertaining Dungog” by Michael Williams.
Dungog Chronicle.
Images: Anthony Owen.

38 CINEMARECORD # 86