Chinese Gardens Theatre North Terrace & Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000 – Grand opening Fri Nov 29, 1934.
*Chinese Gardens Opening
One more sign of approaching summer — on Friday night the Chinese Gardens Theatre on North terrace will open its doors to open-air picture-goers, and the first programme to be presented will feature the musical ‘production “Show Boat” starring Paul Robeson, Allan Jones, & Irene Dunne.
Fragrant blooms
Electricians, painters, and gardeners are all doing their part to help the theatre shed its winter disguise — rockeries are covered with fragrant blooms, and the shrubs planted specially for the coming season are in leaf. Electricians are at work erecting hundreds of feet of coloured festooning. and even the huge dragon above the proscenium seems interested in the proceedings – Contributed by Greg Lynch –
CLOSING NIGHT 1984 - Projectionist John Richmond worked at the Port Pirie Drive-in from its opening to closing. On opening night, as was usual in those days the performance would end with a short piece of film of Queen Elizabeth II with the soundtrack of the National Anthem “God Save the Queen”. That very same short piece of film was still in use on closing night. - Contributed by Greg Lynch -
It was a special preview screening hosted by radio station 3XY for the film “Ride The Wild Surf”. Sadly it was never advertised in the press as it was a 3XY exclusive competition prize for their (teeny-bopper) listeners - Author John Holloway
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Yes Robert Hatfield was a Pioneer Picture Show Man. A Showman of great vision who loved our industry. Someone we remember with respect. Greg Lynch -
The photo above shows the Regent theatre bio-box Melbourne - later the projectors were transferred to the National St Kilda.
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo courtesy of Roy Mudge
Chinese Gardens Theatre North Terrace & Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000 – Grand opening Fri Nov 29, 1934.
*Chinese Gardens Opening
One more sign of approaching summer — on Friday night the Chinese Gardens Theatre on North terrace will open its doors to open-air picture-goers, and the first programme to be presented will feature the musical ‘production “Show Boat” starring Paul Robeson, Allan Jones, & Irene Dunne.
Fragrant blooms
Electricians, painters, and gardeners are all doing their part to help the theatre shed its winter disguise — rockeries are covered with fragrant blooms, and the shrubs planted specially for the coming season are in leaf. Electricians are at work erecting hundreds of feet of coloured festooning. and even the huge dragon above the proscenium seems interested in the proceedings – Contributed by Greg Lynch –
Former residence at the rear of the drive-in property reserved for the use of the staff.
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge 1987
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Dowerin Drive-In photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Dowerin Drive-In photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
Dowerin Drive-In photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge
CLOSING NIGHT 1984 - Projectionist John Richmond worked at the Port Pirie Drive-in from its opening to closing. On opening night, as was usual in those days the performance would end with a short piece of film of Queen Elizabeth II with the soundtrack of the National Anthem “God Save the Queen”. That very same short piece of film was still in use on closing night. - Contributed by Greg Lynch -
The image above -
It was a special preview screening hosted by radio station 3XY for the film “Ride The Wild Surf”. Sadly it was never advertised in the press as it was a 3XY exclusive competition prize for their (teeny-bopper) listeners - Author John Holloway
Hi Terrywade - Especially Chris Condon’s floating beer-tray sequence - pure genius - Greg L.