Page 12 - CinemaRecord #79

Beacon tower atop the theatre.

Over the years, the Delta catered for local charity
concerts as well as major theatrical presentations
including J.C.Williamson bringing Gladys
Moncrieff, Stanley McKay’s Gaieties featuring
Roy Rene (Mo) and George Wallace (Snr), the
Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Slim Dusty,
Australia’s Amateur Hour compered by Dick
Beacon from the air. Fair and Terry Dear and the Hypnotist, Van
Lowe. Even the Ice Follies visited the Delta in
the 1950’s!

For guidance of aircraft in night flying, an aerial Backstage, it was difficult to switch the workings
beacon was mounted on a thirty foot tower above of a live theatre to that of showing movies. Heavy
the roof of the Delta Theatre by the management. speakers, screen and masking curtains had to be
The tower was surmounted by a light which was moved and connected by manual labour. It was
a land (or air) mark for miles around. The light not until Mr and Mrs Bruce Frazer from nearby
was automatically switched on at sunset and off Home Hill bought the Delta Theatre from the
at sunrise and shone in such a way as to spell Edwards family in July 1956, that this problem
“AYR” in Morse Code. This happened in 1938 was solved by mechanical means.
when aircraft were landing on an airstrip just
outside of town.

CinemaScope was installed in May 1955, with
Shire Jubilee celebrations in 1938. the conversion being done by Len Doran, an
engineer based in Townsville with the Western
Electric Company. The Delta projectionist, Mick
Doyle aided him.
The Robe was the first CinemaScope film shown
and was a big occasion for the town.

Other known permanent projectionists were
Bert Small, Bill Pattinson, Horris Williams and
Carl Lehrka with Bill Lawson as a part time
projectionist.
Despite the innovations of upgraded seating,
decor and bigger and wider screens, like
elsewhere, the patronage drifted away as people
were mesmerised by the new wonder of television
in the home. The effects of this resulted in the
theatre closing in 1961 and nearly 40 years of
retail use ensued.

Queen Street 1938 with the
Beacon Tower on the theatre roof.

12 2013 CINEM AREC ORD