I remember it being a pretty big deal in town when the drive-in opened. The local newspaper, the Advocate, reported that ‘revolutionary new projection lenses" meant that the projection room and cafe could be located at the rear of the drive-in, not halfway to the screen, as was the usual drive-in design.
There was also an indoor seating area, where you could watch the film indoors, which was great if it rained (better than staying in the car and watching the movie between the windscreen wipers all night).
To get to the indoor seating area, you walked down a corridor from the cafe and past the projection room door, which was usually open. I want to say there were Century (or maybe Simplex?) projectors installed, but it is possible my memory is addled over the years - maybe someone has better knowledge of this?
The building still stood when I lived in Coffs, having closed around June 1968. ‘Waltons’ department/furniture store, was operating out of the building when I moved to Coffs, so I must have been there around 1969 onwards.
I did go inside and the stalls had the seats removed and was the main display floor for the store goods.
My dad asked the manager if I could look upstairs and I was taken up to the circle.
I did look through the projection room door at the back of the circle, but I don’t recall any equipment being inside.
I was about 8 or 9 years old, so apologies, the memories are a bit vague!
I do remember the theatre being demolished and a new rather ugly brick ‘Waltons’ store was built on the site, which itself disappeared when the mall was built.
When it opened on Wednesday 4th July, 1928, the Monarch was considered to be equal or better to any theatre in Sydney.
It certainly sounded quite opulent, with the local newspaper describing “soft rose lights infusing a romantic atmosphere throughout the auditorium”.
In August 1929, talkies were demonstrated at the theatre, with sound shorts presented with the main (silent) feature. It was announced in February 1930 that the first talking picture would be “The Innocents of Paris”, opening on 21st April that year.
The local newspaper refers to this as “the new Embassy Theatre” on 27th June, 1936, however I cannot find an actual opening date. Apparently, the Embassy was equipped for sound right from the start.
The Embassy was built to replace the rather small Memorial Hall in the town, for dances and other events, but “the pictures” always took priority.
Sometimes, social events were delayed waiting for the picture show to finish. But then the seats were pushed back and the social event would continue into the early hours!
Last time I drove through Baradine, the theatre was used as a coffee shop. Sadly, the shop was closed and I don’t know if was just there too early for it to be open or if it was closed down. A shame, because I would have gone in for a coffee if it was open and had a sticky-beak!
The open air theatre, named the Savoy, adjoined the Strand and opened around early 1939 and was apparently only open during the warmer months of the year.
In 1952,the Strand was renovated and according to an article in the North Western Courier newspaper in January 1952, both the Strand and the Savoy had been fitted with the “latest in British projection and sound equipment” at this time.
If bad weather, such as rain or a dust storm affected the outdoor Savoy, the patrons were moved over to the Strand to continue their evenings entertainment.
The Strand was built on the site if an older theatre that burnt down. On 9th June, 1928, the mayor opened the new circle which had recently been added to the auditorium.
I remember it being a pretty big deal in town when the drive-in opened. The local newspaper, the Advocate, reported that ‘revolutionary new projection lenses" meant that the projection room and cafe could be located at the rear of the drive-in, not halfway to the screen, as was the usual drive-in design.
There was also an indoor seating area, where you could watch the film indoors, which was great if it rained (better than staying in the car and watching the movie between the windscreen wipers all night).
To get to the indoor seating area, you walked down a corridor from the cafe and past the projection room door, which was usually open. I want to say there were Century (or maybe Simplex?) projectors installed, but it is possible my memory is addled over the years - maybe someone has better knowledge of this?
The building still stood when I lived in Coffs, having closed around June 1968. ‘Waltons’ department/furniture store, was operating out of the building when I moved to Coffs, so I must have been there around 1969 onwards.
I did go inside and the stalls had the seats removed and was the main display floor for the store goods.
My dad asked the manager if I could look upstairs and I was taken up to the circle.
I did look through the projection room door at the back of the circle, but I don’t recall any equipment being inside.
I was about 8 or 9 years old, so apologies, the memories are a bit vague!
I do remember the theatre being demolished and a new rather ugly brick ‘Waltons’ store was built on the site, which itself disappeared when the mall was built.
When it opened on Wednesday 4th July, 1928, the Monarch was considered to be equal or better to any theatre in Sydney.
It certainly sounded quite opulent, with the local newspaper describing “soft rose lights infusing a romantic atmosphere throughout the auditorium”.
In August 1929, talkies were demonstrated at the theatre, with sound shorts presented with the main (silent) feature. It was announced in February 1930 that the first talking picture would be “The Innocents of Paris”, opening on 21st April that year.
The sound equipment was Western Electric.
Apparently the Roxy was a replica of the Liberty Theatre in Sydney.
It was always considered the poor cousin to the Monarch Theatre in Darling Street, Dubbo.
The local newspaper refers to this as “the new Embassy Theatre” on 27th June, 1936, however I cannot find an actual opening date. Apparently, the Embassy was equipped for sound right from the start.
The Embassy was built to replace the rather small Memorial Hall in the town, for dances and other events, but “the pictures” always took priority.
Sometimes, social events were delayed waiting for the picture show to finish. But then the seats were pushed back and the social event would continue into the early hours!
Last time I drove through Baradine, the theatre was used as a coffee shop. Sadly, the shop was closed and I don’t know if was just there too early for it to be open or if it was closed down. A shame, because I would have gone in for a coffee if it was open and had a sticky-beak!
The open air theatre, named the Savoy, adjoined the Strand and opened around early 1939 and was apparently only open during the warmer months of the year.
In 1952,the Strand was renovated and according to an article in the North Western Courier newspaper in January 1952, both the Strand and the Savoy had been fitted with the “latest in British projection and sound equipment” at this time.
If bad weather, such as rain or a dust storm affected the outdoor Savoy, the patrons were moved over to the Strand to continue their evenings entertainment.
The Strand was built on the site if an older theatre that burnt down. On 9th June, 1928, the mayor opened the new circle which had recently been added to the auditorium.