Page 18 - CR

A final change of lease was made in
1974 to Dawn Henry and by 1975
upstairs seating was 275 with the
downstairs closed to the public for the
now, twice weekly screenings.
The great Macquarie Theatre
finally closed as a cinema in December
1975 with the auction on site for
equipment and cafe fittings held in June
1976. (The projection equipment has
remained in situ ever since this time!)
At footpath level were four shops of many years!); The Macquarie Cafe
which the leases changed frequently, (Johnny Tarhan & Stan Phani) in 1968
two on each side of the entrance to the and the A.B.C. Milk Bar (Webbers &
theatre. As we know, there was always Claude Hale).
a meeting place next to the "pictures". The Macquarie settled into its role
Some of them were: Reynolds Coffee as the district’s smartest picture-show
Shop c1960; Youngs Cafe (P. Stephens) and provided not only entertainment,
in 1967 (the rendezvous of Wellington but also became the most important
and District citizens and visitors for social hub for the local populace to
meet.
After many years of operation,
transfer of the ownership of the
Macquarie Theatre was made effective
from April 1965 and the licence was
made over to K.C. & J. Reynolds.
With the introduction of television
in every home, attendances at cinemas Photos:
decreased enormously and by 1968 film Top Left: One of the four shops was let to a
screenings were down to three times stock and property salesman who was also
weekly with seating for 330 upstairs the local agent for “Ready Maid Quick
Frozen Foods Ltd”.
and 570 down.
Above: Last used in 1973, the projectors
Below: The upstairs Dress Circle foyer. remain in situ despite the glass ports being
Left: Report - Film Weekly Magazine. June bricked up.
1938.

18 2011 CINEMARECORD