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THE BURNIE THEATRE, TASMANIA

by Earl Martell

he City of Burnie is situated on Emu Bay
Ton the north west coast of Tasmania. It is
the island state’s fourth largest city and, in the
th
19 Century, it became a major port for the tin
mines in the area which used the Emu Bay
railway. The Burnie Theatre had its roots in
the city’s Town Hall.
Burnie’s first town hall was a small brick
building constructed in 1879 near the corner of
Mount and Cattley Streets. In 1888, the small
building was incorporated into a larger town
hall (it became the stage area for the new hall),
built on the same block of land. It was
described as a fine, spacious building. A second
storey, dressing rooms and a fly tower were
added in 1908.

The local Council purchased the adjoining
block of land in 1912 and extended the building
to incorporate what was to be called the Burnie
Theatre. It was initially used for live shows,
but travelling showmen screened silent movies
there from 1915. Among those showing films
there were American Pictures, Cartwright
Pictures, Crystal Pictures and Majestic Pictures
- all local travelling film showmen.

The Burnie Theatre had some competition in
this area, with travelling film shows also being
screened at the Central Hall, which was
located at the side of the Central Hotel in
Marine Terrace. Central Hall showed movies
(and even had sound equipment installed) up
until 1932, when it was converted into betting
rooms for the local Bookmaker’s Club.

Sound was installed at the Burnie Theatre in
December 1929 and the first “talkie” shown
there was Broadway Melody on 31 December.
Above The Vogue Theatre, today for sale.
In January 1931, the theatre was closed for
Below: The Burnie Star 2015. (Image: Royce Harris) re-building - alterations to the roof, the
installation of a dress circle, new seating and a
new façade with the name “The Burnie
Theatre” proudly displayed on the front.
During its closure, film screenings were moved
to the Town Hall next door, but as there was
no sound equipment, only silent movies were
shown.

The 16 May 1931 saw a grand re-opening of
the new Burnie Theatre, described as the most
up to date theatre in Tasmania with seating for
1500 patrons, although Film Weekly has it listed
as 1000 for the theatre’s entire life. While still
owned by the local council, it was leased out
to Burnie Entertainments Pty. Ltd., headed by
Wynyard businessman Robert Hamilton.
With the closure of the Central Hall as a
picture theatre in 1932, the Burnie Theatre
was the only cinema in the city until 1936,
when Mr. Len Frith and Local Amusements,
both of Ulverstone, opened the 450 seat Vogue
Theatre also in Marine Terrace. However, it
didn’t remain as competition for long. In 1936,
Robert Hamilton floated “Star Theatres” which

18 CINEMARECORD # 99