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The original proscenium has gone, but the
walls and ceiling are intact. The stage has been
replaced by a meeting area. The backstage area
still exists and is also in use.
The Vogue now functions as a religious
meeting place, its 34 years as one of the North
Coast’s premier picture theatre virtually
forgotten. It is listed as a Category 2 Theatre
in the Cultural Heritage of Theatre Register
1996. ê

Acknowledgements:
Northern Star Newspapers.
Facts Sheets compiled by Les Tod.

Images:
William Gray.
CATHS Archive.
(Best available images have been used).

THE DORGAN COMPANY

T.J. Dorgan’s first show was the Rink in
Casino, NSW, in 1916. He was said to have
been involved in Melbourne suburban
The new Plaza Theatre as proposed (name later changed to Vogue). Northern Star 23 May 1933
theatres prior to that according to the Film
Weekly, 16 November 1944.
ABC International Concert Series. A Catholic and pinball machines were installed in the
Mass was celebrated in the Vogue on 2 July former lounge foyer. These were later
He died in November 1944 at Lewisham
1964. The Mass was attended by parishioners removed because they were unprofitable. The Hospital, Sydney, he was living at 4
of St. Carthages Cathedral, Lismore. Lessee was Mr. Frew of Coffs Harbour. This Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse, NSW prior to
venture ceased in May 1970, and by August
In around 1967/68, the Dorgan Company was of that year the former theatre was undergoing his hospitalisation. His grave site is close
to Casino Railway Station.
sold to First City Property Co. of Australia alterations to convert it into a retail furniture
Limited. The Vogue screened its last film, store. Theatres under his control were:-
Cool Hand Luke, on 14 December 1968. This
left the Star Court Theatre as the last The Vogue’s licence to screen films was (a) Lismore – Star Court, Diggers,
operating Lismore theatre. cancelled on 8 September 1970.
Vogue, Vanity.
(b) Kyogle – Roxy, Memorial Hall.
The Vogue was used for dancing for a short In the early 1980s, it became the Summerland
(c) Casino – School of Arts, El Gronda
time. The Proprietor was Mr. R. Cruikshank Christian Life Centre, which it remains today. (an anagram for Dorgan), Rink.
of Coffs Harbour. Alterations took place The dress circle has been sealed off from the (d) Murwillumbah – Regent (1 ),
st
around March 1970 to convert it into auditorium and, on last inspection, was a Regent (2 ), School of Arts.
nd
Pinocchio’s Discotheque, when the stall floor vacant area. The upper foyer remains, as do (e) Grafton – Saraton, Fitzroy,
was altered to provide two level sections, the the stirs and the outside first floor terrace. The Kinema, Prince Edward.
rear for seating and the front for dancing. The original vestibule area is now a shop selling (f) Maclean – Hollywood.
dress circle was sealed off from the public, religious items.
T.J. Dorgan also commissioned the making
The Vogue, just prior to completion. Northern Star 9 Nov. 1935 of two films – The Adventures of Dot
(1927), and The Razor Gang (1928).

Trivia:
Although MGM features were given
prominence at the Vogue Theatre in
Lismore, revivals of their films were rare,
except for re-issues (under contract) which
were played in the Star Court Theatre.
When a film was not strong enough to run
for the week at the Vogue, a revival film,
th
mainly from 20 Century Fox, may have
been screened.
The Dorgan Circuit did not show trailers
for coming attractions. However, on one
occasion in 1938, I recall when they did
screen a trailer for Sweethearts (MGM), the
audience gasped when the sequence of
Nelson Eddy singing Marching on Parade
was suddenly interrupted by the next
sequence in the trailer.

30 CINEMARECORD # 89