Nostalgic Queen's Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nostalgic Queen's Theatre |
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Nostalgic Queen's Theatre, 2008
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| Location | George Street, Wallumbilla, Maranoa Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1939 |
| Official name: Nostalgic Queen's Theatre, Queen's Theatre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 25 October 2002 |
| Reference no. | 602378 |
| Significant period | 1939 (fabric) 1939-1975, 1981, 1988, 1993, 1994- ongoing ( social) |
| Significant components | auditorium |
| Builders | F & P Giles |
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The Nostalgic Queen's Theatre is a special old cinema located on George Street in Wallumbilla, Australia. It was built in 1939 by F & P Giles. This theatre is also known as Queen's Theatre. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 25, 2002, which means it's an important historical place.
Discovering the Theatre's Past
The Nostalgic Queen's Theatre is a simple cinema built in 1939. It's in the town of Wallumbilla, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Roma.
Wallumbilla's Early Days
Wallumbilla was a small town that served the surrounding farms. Its economy relied on cattle, grain, timber, and natural gas. Europeans first settled here in 1854. The town grew when the Western railway arrived in 1880.
How Movies Came to Town
In the early 1900s, movies first came to Wallumbilla. A traveling projectionist would show films in Bishop's Hall. They used a hand-cranked projector! Later, a local shopkeeper, Eddie Murphy, bought the hall. He moved it and renamed it Murphy's Hall. He used it to show silent films, often with live piano music.
The very first moving films were made in Paris in 1895. Early films were short and just showed events. But then, films started telling stories. Australia made the first feature movie, "The Story of the Kelly Gang", in 1906. This ability to tell stories made movies super popular!
At first, films were shown in theatres or halls. But soon, special buildings just for movies were built. Some in big cities were huge and fancy. Most, however, were much simpler.
The Rise of Picture Theatres
Movies were cheaper to show than live plays. The equipment was also easy to move around. This made them perfect entertainment for country areas. Many simple, shed-like buildings were built as permanent cinemas.
Most small cinemas in Queensland were owned by local families. They didn't have a lot of money to build grand places. They also didn't have huge audiences in country towns. So, they might only show films once or twice a week. The Queen's Theatre in Wallumbilla is one of these simple, family-run cinemas.
The Theatre's Journey Through Time
In 1930, a baker named Les Cadsow bought the Wallumbilla hall. He continued to use it as a cinema, calling it the De Luxe. It was later renamed the Liberty Theatre, possibly when World War II started. Sadly, it burned down in 1939.
Cadsow bought new projectors, hoping to rebuild. But he couldn't afford it. So, he sold the projectors to the Giles brothers from Miles. Frank and Paddy Giles were builders and also ran "Rex Touring Pictures." They showed films in several towns, including Wallumbilla. Wallumbilla had the Saturday night screening because it had the biggest audience.
Building the Queen's Theatre
The Giles brothers built the new cinema in 1941. It was a simple building with a timber frame. The walls were covered with fibrous cement sheets. Inside, laminated arches made of cypress pine supported the roof. These arches gave everyone a good view of the screen. The floor and walls were made of timber. The walls were even lined with special hardboard for good sound!
Even though it was simple, the theatre had a touch of movie magic. It had Chinese lanterns over the lights. Pictures of famous Warner Brothers and MGM stars decorated the walls.
A Hub for the Community
A country cinema like the Queen's Theatre was very important. It offered great family entertainment. It was a place for young people to meet. It also gave everyone a chance to connect with others. Cinemas showed feature films, newsreels, and cartoons. They were also used for live shows and special events.
During difficult times, like World War II, movies offered an escape. They linked people to the wider world and American culture. Going to the pictures was very popular in rural Queensland until television arrived.
Changes and Reopenings
In 1954, the Giles brothers sold the theatre to Hendrickas and Violet Payne. They also ran the Queen's Cafe across the road. This is how the cinema became known as the Queen's Theatre. They updated the equipment and showed movies every Wednesday and Saturday night, plus a Saturday afternoon show, until 1962.
In 1962, Rodney and Shirley Houston leased the theatre. They modernized the sound system and showed new movies. To use the theatre more, they introduced roller-skating, which became very popular! In 1967, the Houstons bought the cinema. They kept showing films even when television became popular in the early 1970s.
The Queen's Theatre closed in 1975. It reopened for six months in 1981. But then, home videos became a big competitor. The Queen's Theatre closed again for seven years.
A Nostalgic Return
The theatre was kept in good condition. In 1988, it reopened to show "The Man from Snowy River" for Australia's Bicentennial year. Films were shown again in 1993 for the Wallumbilla School Centenary. Double features played to packed houses!
This success encouraged the owners to reopen the theatre for good. They renamed it the Nostalgic Queen's Theatre. The equipment was upgraded, and a new wide screen was installed. The theatre was also connected to the town's electricity supply. Before, it used a generator! The theatre reopened in January 1994. It now screens films one Saturday night a month during the summer. The Nostalgic Queen's Theatre is still used sometimes. It even hosted the "Movie Muster," an Australian film festival, in 2001.
Some parts of the building's outside have been updated. But the inside of the theatre is still mostly the same as it was.
What the Theatre Looks Like
The Nostalgic Queen's Theatre is located on the main highway in Wallumbilla.
It's a rectangular building made with a timber frame. The roof has a gable shape, like an upside-down V. The front of the building is plain and rectangular. It has metal sheeting and a main door with a small window above it. The sides and back of the building are covered with fibrous cement panels. These are held in place by timber strips.
Inside the Theatre
The inside is a large rectangular auditorium (the main seating area). There's a ticket office to the right of the entrance. Laminated timber arches hold up the roof. The floor is flat and made of timber. The walls are lined with vertical timber boards and hardboard.
There are canvas seats at the back and canvas armchairs at the front. About 200 people can sit here. The building does not currently have toilets.
Why the Theatre is Important
The Nostalgic Queen's Theatre was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2002. This means it meets special rules that show its historical value.
A Glimpse into the Past
The theatre shows us how cinemas developed in Queensland. It also highlights how important going to the pictures was in Australia during the early to mid-1900s. Before television, cinemas were a huge part of life. They offered entertainment, a place to socialize, and a way to feel connected to the wider world. The Queen's Theatre proves how popular movies were in rural Queensland.
A Rare Survivor
The Queen's Theatre was built specifically as a cinema. It is still used for that purpose today. This makes it quite rare! Not many early cinemas in Queensland are still used for showing movies. Many have been changed for other uses.
A Classic Example
This theatre is a great example of a simple country cinema. It has a very basic layout. The arches supporting the roof are a good design feature. They make sure everyone can see the screen clearly.
Special to the Community
The Queen's Theatre has a strong connection with the people of Wallumbilla and the surrounding area. It has been a place for social gatherings and popular entertainment for many years. For many locals, it holds special memories.
