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Central Cinema in North
Melbourne and, when that closed,
were rescued by Harry Davidson,
who relocated them to Queenscliff.
(Harry had withdrawn from all his
country shows by 1974, but
remained working at the Dendy
Collins Street until he died in 1980).

Management of the theatre was in
disarray by the 1970s, with neither
owner nor lessee taking the trouble
to re-register the building on more
than one occasion. Although the
theatre was probably not operating,
Mr Josephs belatedly renewed the
registration in 1974. Such was the
dilapidated state of the interior, that
a Closing Order was issued soon
after.

The building was sold in 1975 and
had several uses, including a gallery
and antique centre, before
The Vue Grand Hotel today conversion to the Ballroom
Apartments in 2001. ★
theatre interior shows the pointed tops of what The Josephs retained ownership of the building
had been twin doors leading to/from the dining until the end of its life as a cinema, but soon
room. stepped back from direct involvement. In 1965, Credits:
well-known exhibitor Harry Davidson arrived
Civic and Grand: The Later Years on the scene to operate his Coastline Cinemas Richard Runting (2003) “The History of the Vue
circuit around the Bellarine Peninsula. Now Grand Hotel, Queenscliff”.
In July 1949, Phillip Silvester took over the lessee of the Grand, his reach included halls at
lease of the Civic from Bill Hodgetts. He then Drysdale, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Queenscliffe* Historical Museum Inc.
operated both theatres until the family left Indented Head, St Leonards, Portarlington and
Queenscliff in 1953, at which time the lease of Point Lonsdale. Queenscliffe Borough Council.
the Civic lapsed. The Grand was now The former Grand Theatre, now
Queenscliff’s only theatre. the Ballroom Apartments
Queenscliff Information Centre.
The new owners traded under the name
Bellarine Theatres. The key figure, as far as the
Grand was concerned, was Mr. Harry Michael Public Records Office: Grand Theatre.
Josephs. When the theatre was badly damaged
by fire in late 1957, the official word from Images:
Bellarine Theatres was that the company was
not interested in rebuilding. Mr. Josephs then Ron Hodgetts’ Collection., Mike Trickett.
announced that he would re-instate the Grand.
It subsequently passed into the hands of H.M * Queenscliffe was correct at the time of
and Mavis Mary Josephs, who were also the incorporation of the Borough. This spelling is
exhibitors at the Point, Point Lonsdale and the The projectors at the Grand were now retained today by organisations with links to
Regent Colac. Bauer B8, which came from the Regal the town’s history.
Essendon in 1939, had been moved to the

The Grand Theatre projection room, c. 1947

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