Tuesday, January 19, 2010

My World Tuesday

The Majestic Theatre.Pomona.Queensland.

Pomona is a lovely little town inland from Noosa and about a half an hour drive away.
The day we visited we also stopped at the Majestic theatre and had lunch in the cafe there.
The Majestic has a facinating history and is well known for its" silent film nights" which still continue today.


The Majestic Theatre was constructed in 1921 as a multi purpose hall catering not only for films but also for dances,debutante balls,concerts,stage plays ,roller skating,boxing matches and other community functions.
The travelling picture show man called at regular intervals to show silent films in the early years and then in 1923 the hall was leased to Harold "Picture" Page a local identity who obtained the cinema license which has continued ever since.
A supper room ( which now houses the organ)was added in 1925.
The first talkie was screened at the Majestic in April 1931.



Through the 40's ,50's and 60's films were screened on Wed, Fri, and Sat nights and seven nights a week during the War years when troops from a nearby army base provided a capacity audience..
But then television started to make an impact and audiences dwindled until 1973 when Ron West took over the Majestic and in 1987 the theatre reverted to screening only silent films with Ron featuring on the organ.
From 1987  till 2006 every Thursday night there was a screening of  Rudolf Valentino in The Son of the Sheik.
In 2006 the Majestic was transfered to community ownership.
The Majestic still holds functions and shows movies on a regular basis and every Thurs night there is a "fork and film" night for only $25.
All this information I got from the Majestic website.here

1 comment:

Julie said...

What a wonderful style of architecture that is, and it looks very well maintained.