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Tors Drive-In 130 New Queen Road, Charters Towers, QLD - 1966 Building the Tors.

Photo - Tors Drive-in ( Notes by Tors Drive-in )

Cinema pioneer Jack Feldt built the Tors Drive-In, and it opened on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 1966. The first double feature to screen was ‘Tunnel of Love’ starring Richard Widmark and Doris Day, followed by ‘Mission of Danger’ starring Keith Larsen and Buddy Epson.

Jack had also owned three hardtop (indoor) cinemas in Charters Towers; the Theatre Royal, The Olympia and the Regent Theatre.

Inspired by the success of drive-in theatres in other areas, he decided that Charters Towers needed its’ own. Disused railway line and wooden seats from the Theatre Royal were recycled for the construction of the screen. It was built to last, and has survived decades of cyclones and severe storms. The speaker bases and posts were all made by hand and are still in use today.

When the drive-in opened it quickly became the favourite cinema venue in town. Attendances at the other cinemas dwindled as families preferred the convenience and atmosphere of the drive-in.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -