Phelan's Picture Theatre

Located in Wallsend, to the west of Newcastle, NSW. Mr John Phelan opened his Picture Theatre on 8th June 1912. It was a very basic structure, with a dirt floor and galvanised iron walls which were supported by tree trunks. (Some of the trees were inside the auditorium, obstructing the view of the screen from some of the seats!). It was later given a more permanent structure and a roof was added. Seating was provided on a single floor, with a raised stepped section at the rear. The screen was at the street end, so it was a ‘reverse’ cinema.

It was taken over by Fullers Theatres Pty. Ltd chain in 1943. It was closed in 1958, but soon reopened operating on Sunday’s only. It was finally closed on 4th February 1961 with “A Face in the Night” & Jennifer West in “Too Soon to Love”.

It converted into retail use by Mackie’s and was later demolished and an arcade of shops was built on the site.

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