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The King’ The King’s Theatre c. 1935 (Courtesy Bega Valley H.S.)

racing stable site next to the Hotel Bega (now Overcrowding at King’s appeared to have been Southern Talkie Co. was still in operation
Browny’s Bega Hotel) and is currently owned a controversial issue and a common occurrence. three years after King’s opened. It is
by Warren Page of Bega. interesting to note that, one month prior to the
The greatest [known] number of people King’s opening, another itinerant movie
King’s was a £12,000 extravaganza for Bega admitted to the theatre was during the business operated in the district. “Downey’s
and its ornamentation was noted with passion: screening of Davy Crockett where “every step Talkies” travelled to the outer areas of
“It compares favourably with the city theatres and space was filled” with 1017 moviegoers. Wolumla, Merimbula, Wyndham, Bemboka
and can seat nearly 900 people. All modern Cross describes that, “on this occasion [the and Cobargo, featuring movies such as Night
conveniences have been introduced, including manager] Mr Thistleton was not prosecuted Flight and Hollywood Party with Mickey
cooling for summer and heating for winter. The for overcrowding the theatre”, but was “taken Mouse, as well as Australian and Metro
interior decorations have been carried out by to court over Snow White” where Thistleton
Newsreels.
a city firm of decorators in fine style and in had allowed 863 people to enter the premises
brilliant lighting it presents a most attractive and was promptly fined £1 Below: The Kings Theatre c. 2010
scene. A new system of lighting gives the front of a maximum £50 fine.
of the building a most picturesque appearance
and the entrance is in keeping with the all The Sound of Music was
round glamour. A wide and luxuriously also claimed as a “state
carpeted staircase leads to the dress circle success” in Bega where it
upstairs. The seating throughout is most was “shown thirty-five
comfortable and we understand that alone cost times” with “everyone in
£1,800. The wide stage permits a much bigger the town going to see it at
screen than we have been accustomed to and least once”. Another
we understand that this is the aim in modern mammoth “turn out”
theatres”. occurred when the
exhibition of The Robe
A premiere of Bright Lights featured at the featured at the King’s.
King’s Theatre opening and was reported to More people apparently
be “shown for the first time in Australia” with went to see it than there
the leading actor Joe E. Brown “convulsing the were in the whole of the
audience” through the Fellini style comedy. Bega Shire population.
Bardsley appointed Joe Bowden as the King’s In the early days of
first manager and he was succeeded by Ted operation, King’s Theatre
Thistleton. King’s employed twelve people to also operated a van known
maintain operations: The manager, two as the “Southern Talkie
projectionists, two ticket ladies, a candy bar Co”. According to David
lady, two usherettes upstairs, two usherettes in Cross, the mobile movie
the stalls, a cleaning lady and a roust-a-bout. van “did not continue
operating for very long”,
Taken To Court Over Snow White! and a receipt from the
“Pioneer Motor Service”
While Film Weekly Annual quoted King’s as for the Southern Talkie Co.
seating 843 patrons, it is interesting to notice
shows the date as 1938.
how newspaper advertisements at the time This confirms that
listed King’s seating capacity as almost 900.

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