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Amusu Theatre 17 Derowie Street, Manildra, NSW

The Travelling Picture Show - The history of the Amusu.

In 1923 a young man named Allan Tom realised his dream when he ‘took to the road’ with a ‘Travelling Picture Show’.

Screening in marques and halls in all kinds of weather, bringing entertainment to people in remote outback areas. Firstly Allan screened ‘silent movies’, then with the advent of ‘talkies’ the ‘AMUSU Touring Talkies’ was born. A few years later Allan established Theatres in Manildra, Cudal, Millthorpe, Tullamore and Peak Hill. For 72 years through drought, flood, depression, the advent of clubs, television and video, Mr Tom screened films for the small towns. He showed his last film in 1995 just a week before his death at age 93.

He was one of the pioneers of the Australian Motion Picture Industry and his efforts were rewarded in 1993 when he was awarded the ‘Order of Australia’ Medal for his contribution to the entertainment industry. Allan Tom was on the road in the Goldfields and Western NSW until the 1940’s with silent movies.

The AMUSU Theatre was built in Manildra in 1936 alongside his garage. With its purpose built building, continuous use and heritage collection, the AMUSU is unique in NSW. Its significance to the state was recognised in October 1996 when it was listed on the State Heritage Register of NSW. The AMUSU in Manildra was the 18th theatre to be built in NSW. It has been operating continuously since the 1930s and now attracts people from all over the country and the world to Manildra to visit the theatre.

The AMUSU Theatre is very evocative and visitors can appreciate the architecture and experience what it was like to go to the movies in a bygone era.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -