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Palais Royal Theatre 297 Moorabool Street, Geelong, VIC – 1940’s

Photo – Geelong Advertiser

Peter Begg, of the Geelong Advertiser writes – The Palais Royal opened its doors in 1926 and some of the materials used in its construction came from the former Joy Ark dance hall which was built out over Corio Bay at Eastern Beach. The parquetry dance floor was said to have been one of the biggest in Australia.

The Palais was also used as a cinema, but its boom years were from the 1940s to the 1970s.

During World War II it attracted many Australian and American servicemen stationed here and dances were held four nights a week.

The late ’40s was the era of the big bands, and the Palais was the place to go in Geelong to hear bands playing covers of the big names such as Glenn Miller.

The Max Taylor Big Band played at the Palais in the early 1960s, as did the Levis, who formed in 1962. Later came Grasshopper with Greg Bee on guitar and vocals.

Contributed by Greg Lynch –