Page 34 - CINEMARECORD-98

THE CINEMAS OF AYR, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Researched by Gerry Kennedy
he town of Ayr (Pop: 8000) is located
Tsome 1050 km north of Brisbane in Far
North Queensland and is the centre of
intensive sugar cane farming.

In 1910, David Edwards built the Theatre
Delta as a public hall. It was opened on
Saturday 24 September 1910, with a live
performance. The theatre was also used for
films, skating and as a ballroom. It was a
rectangular, two level building with a gable
roof, incorporating a sliding section. It also
featured a short balcony which opened out
onto a veranda. The theatre was on the
J.C. Williamson circuit for live shows, and
seated around 1000.

Above: The Theatre Delta c. 1920 In the 1950s, the Edwards family leased the
Below: With modernised facade and signage Delta to a Brisbane based company called
following conversion to Talkies. Delta Theatres Pty Ltd. The principal was Tim
The Evening Telegraph 24 Sept, 1910 (Trove) Images: (Qld Library). Osborne, who later owned/operated 80
theatres around Queensland.

CinemaScope was installed in the Delta, the
first film to be screened in that format was
The Robe on 19 May 1955.

Also in the 1950s, the Edwards family sold the
Delta to Mr & Mrs B.J. Frazer who took over
the operation of the theatre once the lease held
by Delta Theatres Pty Ltd expired.

The Frazers put in a new Western Electric
sound system and a suspended screen to better
accommodate live shows. The stage was
extended forwards over the orchestra pit to
accommodate a touring production of the Ice
Follies. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra
used the theatre on many occasions.

The Delta closed on 29 July 1961 with the
double feature That Kind of Woman and
Around 1930, Bob Edwards (David's son) Saturday nights and later, Fridays as well. The Accused of Murder.
visited the United States to study sound Tropix was never converted to CinemaScope
options and subsequently installed a Western exhibition under the Edwards administration, After the closure of the Delta, the Frazers
Electric sound on film system in the theatre. At but was converted once the Frazers took over roofed over the Tropix, replaced the C&W
the same time, the building was remodelled to (see below) and screenings increased to four projectors with Simplex Super Standard
include a dress circle, and the sliding roof was nights per week. projectors. The Raycophone lamp houses were
removed. The first sound film screened was In
Old Arizona, featuring Warner Baxter as the The Tropix open air theatre stood next to the Commercial Hotel in Queen Street.
Cisco Kid. Image: Qld. Library)

David Edwards installed a power generator at
the theatre, which he used to light his other
business premises, including the Delta Hotel.
He later provided reticulated power to houses
in the town.

As the town grew, Edwards hired the Army
Drill Hall on Saturday nights, switching films
between the two venues.

He also built an open air theatre in the same
street as the Delta (probably in the late 1930s);
this was called the Tropix. This was used on

34 CINEMARECORD # 98