The first Bribie cineme opened in a Church of England Hall in Banya Street in 1948(200 seats(1948 to 1953), 192 seats(1953 to 1956), 225 seats(1956 to 1964). Closed in december 1964. Unknown if hall is still there(or even used?). Moved to Hendon Receation Hall in Cotterill Avenue(opening date of Hall unknown?). Bridie Cinema(2) opened in december 1964(used before as a skating rink) Closed in 1974 and became a charity shop(name unknown?). The charity shop ran for 20 years and then purchased by a church(baptist), which is still is running as a church.
Opened on 21/3/1974 as Village Twin(2 screens – 400 sears for each screen), at 4/17 Patrick Street, Blacktown. Renamed Village 4 on 15/12/1994. Taken over by Hoyts in 1996 and renamed Hoyts 4. Closed on 1/12/2004 and demolished to make way for the new Hoyts multiplex(10 screens),(2600 seats) in Westpoint Shopping Centre(level 4), Cinema 5 had the biggest screen in Australia at the time(28m by 12.5m). The address now is 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown. Digital projection installed(date unknown?)
The building (gutted inside) has been heritage listed by the local council(Strathfield Council). There some photos of the inside and outside of the building on the website www.pastlivesofthepresent.com
Squatters moved inside in february 2002, and renamed it the Midnight Star Social Centre, using it for raves,gigs, pirate cinema screenings, internet workspace and various artivist meetings. The police moved the squatters out in december 2002.
Opened in december 1985 with 2 screens(735 seats). The exhibitor was Devon Michin. 3rd screen added in(1991?) by purchasing a former restaurant(on the ground floor?). 2 extra screens added on the upper level, opening in circa 1996. Cinema 1 – 299 seats, cinema 2 – 302 seats, cinema 3 – 107 seats, cinema 4 – 188 seats, cinema 5 – 108 seats. Exhibitor changed to AMC(date unknown?). AMC sold freehold to Kirby’s in circa 2010. Now run by Event Cinemas and BCC.
Opened on 23/11/1983 as Cinema Maroochydore(run by BCC – Birch Carroll & Coyle) with 1 screen(598 seats). Expanded to 6 screens(1500 seats) in(1996?). Expanded to 12 screens at Sunshine Plaza Shopping Centre on 15/8/2002 with 2557 seats(operated by Event Cinemas and BBC(Birch Carroll & Coyle).
A balcony was installed in the late 1930’s, along with proper theatre seats from the Princess Theatre in South Brisbane, Queensland. A Wurlizter organ was purchased from the Strand Theatre in Hobart, Tasmania.
There was also theatre called My Fair Lady Theatre in Adelaide, when the movie was screened there(first movie screened there). After that movies run finished, the name was shortened to Fair Lady Theatre.
Opened in october or november or december 1975 with “1941”. Located near the Marrangaroo Army Depot, 5 kilometres north of Lithgow. The drive-in was originally planned to be built on land behind the Lithgow RSL(Returned and Services League).
The site is now Gayline Drive and an extension of Morshead Road and Scobie Place. The is also a park called Gayline Reserve(between the end’s of Morshead Road and Scobie Place),(where the screen might have been?). There is a building at the end of Gayline Drive, behind a fence, that might be the old snack bar(and bio box), and some of the remaining ramps,(and one speaker post with two speakers hanging on it and one light pole too?).
The Empire Theatre opened on 16/1/1915 with 1000 seats. Renamed(after a remodel of the theatre building) as the Embassy Theatre on 17/12/1937 with 843 seats.
Known as Neale’s Hall when first opened in 1915. Name changed to Arcadia Picture Palace in 1921(with 999 seats) when movie screenings started. After closure in 1960, it was used for ice skating, receptions, meetings, socials, a peg factory, and then a seatbelt factory, and leased as a junkyard in 1977, and after being restored opened(date unknown?) as an antique store, cafe and art gallery.
250 seats
Opened in 1996. 200 seats.
The first Bribie cineme opened in a Church of England Hall in Banya Street in 1948(200 seats(1948 to 1953), 192 seats(1953 to 1956), 225 seats(1956 to 1964). Closed in december 1964. Unknown if hall is still there(or even used?). Moved to Hendon Receation Hall in Cotterill Avenue(opening date of Hall unknown?). Bridie Cinema(2) opened in december 1964(used before as a skating rink) Closed in 1974 and became a charity shop(name unknown?). The charity shop ran for 20 years and then purchased by a church(baptist), which is still is running as a church.
Opened on 21/3/1974 as Village Twin(2 screens – 400 sears for each screen), at 4/17 Patrick Street, Blacktown. Renamed Village 4 on 15/12/1994. Taken over by Hoyts in 1996 and renamed Hoyts 4. Closed on 1/12/2004 and demolished to make way for the new Hoyts multiplex(10 screens),(2600 seats) in Westpoint Shopping Centre(level 4), Cinema 5 had the biggest screen in Australia at the time(28m by 12.5m). The address now is 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown. Digital projection installed(date unknown?)
500 cars.
650 seats.
Closed in(circa july 1990?).
The building (gutted inside) has been heritage listed by the local council(Strathfield Council). There some photos of the inside and outside of the building on the website www.pastlivesofthepresent.com
Squatters moved inside in february 2002, and renamed it the Midnight Star Social Centre, using it for raves,gigs, pirate cinema screenings, internet workspace and various artivist meetings. The police moved the squatters out in december 2002.
Opened in december 1985 with 2 screens(735 seats). The exhibitor was Devon Michin. 3rd screen added in(1991?) by purchasing a former restaurant(on the ground floor?). 2 extra screens added on the upper level, opening in circa 1996. Cinema 1 – 299 seats, cinema 2 – 302 seats, cinema 3 – 107 seats, cinema 4 – 188 seats, cinema 5 – 108 seats. Exhibitor changed to AMC(date unknown?). AMC sold freehold to Kirby’s in circa 2010. Now run by Event Cinemas and BCC.
Opened on 23/11/1983 as Cinema Maroochydore(run by BCC – Birch Carroll & Coyle) with 1 screen(598 seats). Expanded to 6 screens(1500 seats) in(1996?). Expanded to 12 screens at Sunshine Plaza Shopping Centre on 15/8/2002 with 2557 seats(operated by Event Cinemas and BBC(Birch Carroll & Coyle).
A balcony was installed in the late 1930’s, along with proper theatre seats from the Princess Theatre in South Brisbane, Queensland. A Wurlizter organ was purchased from the Strand Theatre in Hobart, Tasmania.
There was also theatre called My Fair Lady Theatre in Adelaide, when the movie was screened there(first movie screened there). After that movies run finished, the name was shortened to Fair Lady Theatre.
Opened in october or november or december 1975 with “1941”. Located near the Marrangaroo Army Depot, 5 kilometres north of Lithgow. The drive-in was originally planned to be built on land behind the Lithgow RSL(Returned and Services League).
The site is now Gayline Drive and an extension of Morshead Road and Scobie Place. The is also a park called Gayline Reserve(between the end’s of Morshead Road and Scobie Place),(where the screen might have been?). There is a building at the end of Gayline Drive, behind a fence, that might be the old snack bar(and bio box), and some of the remaining ramps,(and one speaker post with two speakers hanging on it and one light pole too?).
Had church services ar easter time for a few years in the early 1970’s. The site is now a housing estate.
The Empire Theatre opened on 16/1/1915 with 1000 seats. Renamed(after a remodel of the theatre building) as the Embassy Theatre on 17/12/1937 with 843 seats.
Converted to digital projection in(2014 or 2015?).
Digital projectiom installed and first used on 21/9/2013. First time i have heard of a candy bar being next to the screen!!
Does Mt Vernon look purple?
Opened with “Sing neighbour sing” and “Girls in the big house”.
Opened with “The big wheel” and “Stampede”. Closed in 1982. The site is now townhouses.
60 seats inside the snack bar.
Also called Blackheath Theatre.
Known as Neale’s Hall when first opened in 1915. Name changed to Arcadia Picture Palace in 1921(with 999 seats) when movie screenings started. After closure in 1960, it was used for ice skating, receptions, meetings, socials, a peg factory, and then a seatbelt factory, and leased as a junkyard in 1977, and after being restored opened(date unknown?) as an antique store, cafe and art gallery.