Page 9 - CINEMARECORD-96

He again showed confidence in the future of
Proserpine when he installed “Talkies” in the
Eldorado. The new equipment was installed
in July 1930 and the opening was advertised for
people to not only see, but hear the musical
comedy Fox Follies of 1929. The show was
packed on opening night with admission prices
being 3/3 for adults and 1/6 for children.

The Ironside family purchased the Eldorado
building in 1935, and took over the lease for
the town’s other theatre, the Grand Theatre,
which was located on Chapman Street to the
south of Main Street. The Ironside family were
long term Proserpine residents who operated
both theatres until 1957 when the Grand
Theatre’s owners, the Deicke family, resumed
running the business.
In addition to running the picture theatre, Bill
Ironside worked at the Proserpine Mill where
he eventually became a director. This link with
the sugar industry extended to the Eldorado The auditorium as a furniture showroom. Image: Gerry Kennedy c. 1990
Theatre being continuously used for meetings
of farmers and the cooperative until 1984, when builders Bob Shaw and Son and painted by the The Eldorado Ironside Building is prominently
Proserpine’s new cultural centre was Ironside family. located in Proserpine’s business district on the
constructed. corner of Main and Chapman Streets. The two
The auditorium was a single flat floor with two storey building has a curved rendered concrete
entrances from the spacious foyer. Although parapet which extends from the shops and
the design is typically tropical, the level of second storey flat on Main Street around the
finish is more superior than the usual small corner and is truncated on Chapman Street. The
town cinemas. parapet is two tiered, with the tallest section
located directly over the corner. The upper
In common with many cinemas in tropical storey of the Main Street façade comprises a
Queensland, the side walls featured light-proof former residence with 1950s grid windows.
permanent louvers as did the lower parts of the Two aluminium-framed horizontal windows
walls down to ground level. The louvre- are located above the entrance to the chemist.
ventilated sides were covered with attractive The ground floor of the Main Street façade
grillwork. comprises two shop fronts with angled glass
display windows and timber framed glass
The changing pattern of entertainment, entrance doors.
including the advent of television and new
multi-screen cinema complexes offering a The entrance to the former theatre is set back
wider selection of programs, saw many from the street and the original doors have been
In 1958, the Ironside family rebuilt the smaller, regional theatres close. The Eldorado replaced by sliding aluminium doors. The
Eldorado, replacing the old picture theatre with closed on 8 December 1984. Much of the old corner shop (the current pharmacy) has
a new building which would incorporate furnishings and equipment are now housed at contemporary glass windows with chrome
modern facilities and equipment and compete Proserpine Historical Museum. window frames and double timber framed
with its rival. New features included a larger entrance doors. At the end of the Chapman
screen, seating for approximately 800 people, The building has remained a major feature of Street corner there is a chrome framed poster
a “crying room” for mothers with babies, a new the Proserpine business district and has since holder on the external wall. The walls along this
cafeteria, two shops on the ground floor and a been home to a number of businesses, including ground floor section are tiled in a style
modern flat above the shops. Designed by Guy a furniture store, real estate business, a gallery consistent with the period. Although the interior
Crick and Associates, it was built by local and currently a pharmacy. has been extensively renovated, particular
features of the old cinema remain intact. There
is still evidence of the original curved timber
Rear view of the Eldorado. Image: Mike Trickett 2017
ceiling, projection ports and the former stage
area, with the ticket counter remaining in the
main foyer area. ★

Credits:
Whitsunday Council Heritage Register.
Use authorised by Joanne Hennessy.
Slice of History: Silent movies to talkies - ABC
Radio.
Townsville Daily Bulletin (Trove)
Proserpine Guardian (Trove)

Notes by Gerry Kennedy
Main image: Whitsunday Council.

CINEMARECORD # 97 9