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“World’s Oldest Open Air Cinema in Operation". - Guinness Book of World Records - Photo courtesy of Ian Hamer.

Great place to watch a movie. You’d only be interrupted by a plane taking off at the nearby airport (the picture gardens are virtually at the end of the runway) or a thunderstorm!

The Sun Pictures building in Broome’s Chinatown was constructed at the turn of the century (1903) on a site owned by the Yamasaki family.

Initially double-fronted tin structure served as an Asian emporium selling imported Asian foodstuffs, clothing and other household goods.

The Yamasaki building was the most commodious store in Carnarvon Street, an area of shops, bazaars, brothels, food stalls, in the Asian quarter known as Chinatown. The Yamasaki family’s love affair with theatre however, saw them devote a portion of the building to a Japanese playhouse where traditional Noh theatre was performed.

In 1913, Master Pearler Ted Hunter purchased the building from the Yamasaki family and commissioned architect Claude Hawkes, to design and construct a picture theatre that would seat up to 500 people.

Sun Pictures officially opened on December 9th 1916 with a silent movie, English Racing Drama ‘Kissing Cup’ with supporting ‘Bachelor Brown’ Comic.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -