St. James Theatre

Photo Info

Uploaded on: October 31, 2026

Size: 1.6 MB

Views: 31

License:

In November 1941 stories were rife in the film trade that MGM had purchased the St James Building and theater from John Fuller. Several newspapers reported the rumor on 28 November along with seemingly strenuous denials by Fuller and MGM managing director Bernie Freeman. One might be excused for being convinced by their defensive waffle that the transfer speculation was all nonsense, except for the fact that the very next day the Sydney Morning Herald reported that a sale actually had already taken place through the offices of real estate agents Richardson and Wrench. John Fuller reportedly accepted £600,000 for the property – perhaps £100-150,000 less than it had cost to build 15 years earlier. His desire to keep the sale secret may well have stemmed from the bereavement felt by brother Ben when he learned of the transaction. Creating the theater had been perhaps their most impressive achievement together.