Page 37 - CinemaRecord #87

Lake Street. It was sold to Woolworths in
1966 and then used as a warehouse, furniture
store and later a night club (upstairs). It was
remodelled in 1971, when the building was
divided into a shopping arcade downstairs and
the Cinema Capri (operated by Birch Carroll
& Coyle) was established. The former circle
had been extended to the stage area. The
barrel ceiling had been retained and a new
entry staircase was built from the arcade. In
1973 Cinema Capri closed following the
construction of the new Birch Carroll & Coyle
Odeon in Grafton Street. In 1971 Birch
Carroll & Coyle bought all four of the Far
Northern Theatres' cinemas in Cairns and
later closed them to eliminate competition for
their more modern Odeon Cinema.
In 1995 Kim and Andrew Gunst took a lease
on the cinema from Peter Cominos, the owner
of the building. They named the cinema the
Palace Independent Cinema in recognition
of the former name of the cinema. They
opened for business on 10 June 1995. The
Interior of Palace Theatre c. 1919
comply with state regulations and show in the
open air. Remember, patrons are protected
from the wind and are quite cosy under
healthy conditions”.

The Palace Theatre was extensively altered
and remodelled in the mid-1920's according to
designs by architects Lawrence and Lordan,
whose plans included increased
accommodation and comfort for patrons,
extending the stage and improved stage
facilities including toilets and dressing rooms.
A dress circle and opera boxes were included.
The new design plans included the addition to
the Lakes Street facade of two gold domes
featuring electric lights. This aimed to make
the Palace Theatre a landmark of Cairns.

Cominos City Centre Arcade c. 1971

In the early 1940's more alterations took
place. Ventilation was improved by changes
to the side walls. The existing galleries were
removed and a lounge containing upholstered
seats was built. Redecoration featured indirect
lighting, veneered timbers and neon lighting
in the foyers. Over the years, as technology
improved, sound systems were constantly
upgraded.
The Palace Theatre was operated by several
companies over the years. The original
operator was Palace Pictures Ltd. Then, in
1918, the Articles of Association of Palace
Theatre Ltd., Cairns were filed in the Supreme
Court. In 1932 Palace Theatre Ltd. merged
with Cairns Pictures Ltd. to form Northern
Theatres Pty. Ltd. who then operated the
Palace Theatre. Following World War II,
Northern Theatres was known as Far Northern
Theatres.

Television arrived in Cairns in 1966 and this
Theatre entry off Lake Street c. 1995 led to the closure of the Palace Theatre in Andrew and Kim Gunst c. 1995

CINEMARECORD # 87 37