Page 10 - CinemaRecord #79

A Western Electric sound-on-film projection
system was purchased and extra seating was
added again. Film booking arrangements were
entered into with major Queensland exhibitors,
Messrs Birch and Carrol Ltd. The upgrade cost
in the vicinity of £6000.00.

And so on Wednesday 9 October 1929, the
th
“Talkies” arrived in Ayr, with the showing of In
Old Arizona starring Warner Baxter. Naturally,
the theatre was crowded and extra seating had to
be arranged.
Robert Edwards stood at the door and welcomed
all patrons to the theatre, even those who could
not pay were granted a seat.

An early projectionist was Jack Horner who was
an electrician by trade; his assistant was Dump
Perry. Les Barton joined the theatre in 1929 as
the resident artist, staying with the theatre until
the 1960’s.
Theatre Delta with its retractable roof open.
To celebrate the 22 anniversary of the opening of
nd
During the silent movie period, musicians played the Delta Theatre, a Grand Pageant and Cabaret
The innovative “Tropical” design of the theatre music as background to the picture. Some of Dance was held Thursday, 29 September, 1932
th
allowed for a flow of cool outside air to be the musicians at this time were Bernie Donavan, with the attendance of patrons filling the theatre.
enjoyed by opening up large panels in the side Pat O’Sullivan, and his sister Doreen O’Sullivan A party of about seventy rail-motored down from
walls, as well as a section of the roof which could (Mrs Burke), Roy Smith, Albert McGill, Bill and Townsville to provide the pageant entertainment,
be retracted mechanically. Wally Taylor, Nita Spears and Arthur Martin. four members of which were present on the
original opening night. Pat O’Sullivan’s
Renovations were carried out by David Edwards When David Edwards died in 1924, his family orchestra provided the music.
in late 1914 when side galleries were added, as took over the family business with Robert
were more seats enabling a total of 1,400 patrons. managing the theatre. On returning from to the
Twenty skylights and extra electric fans were USA in 1927, Bob decided to upgrade the theatre
also installed. once again.
Whilst the theatre continued to be used for This time the building was extended 30 feet, the
concerts, dances and meetings of all types, stage widened and modernised while the roof
movies were run at least two nights per week was ceiled with lattice and Celotex.
by Olympia Pictures, whose name appeared on
the facade for some years. In the passing of time
the name of the theatre itself would reverse from
Theatre Delta to the more conventional and Delta audience in 1923.
modern, Delta Theatre.

10 2013 CINEM AREC ORD