Mayfair Cinema and Gardens

From 1927 the Empire Hall was owned and operated by Mr. Herbert Locke under the name of Empire Pictures. In 1929 the Great Depression began and takings fell away to nothing. In 1932 James McKercher leased the hall which had been dark for many months. He renovated and renamed the venue calling it Swan Suburban Pictures. At the same time installing talking pictures sound equipment supplied by the XL Tone Sound Equipment Company under the supervision of Mr. R. Yelland. The Hon. J. Scaddan, M.L.A. performed the opening ceremony at a private screening on April 20, 1932. The policy was to play two performances each week on Friday and Saturday. The management boasted “that depression and gloom has been successfully banished from the portals of this popular theatre”.

Stage two was to purchase the land next door and build picture gardens, naming them the Swan Suburban Summer Gardens, opening on December 11, 1933. The Fremantle Advocate wrote - “Two good quality pictures have been chosen for the initial programme, "Trouble in Paradise” starring Miriam Hopkins and Herbert Marshall, supported by “2000 Years in Sing Sing” with Spencer Tracy. The accommodation is ample and there is no risk of overcrowding. The system of reserving seats which operated in the Swan Suburban Theatre will continue in the gardens, and deck chairs can be secured over the phone by ringing Miss Martins, F.M:2198. Built of cement blocks the picture gardens have accommodation for 1,000 persons. The entrance is essentially modern and is fronted with cool looking lawns. The bio box is over the entrance. Creepers and ornamental shrubs add attraction to the building. We commend the opening function to picture lovers and confidently predict a happy gathering to offer the management".

In 1936 James McKerchar moved into the Beacon Theatre at East Fremantle after selling the Swan Suburban Summer Gardens to Herbert Locke, who then operated both the theatre and the gardens through his family company Richmond Theatre and Gardens Co.

In 1936, the Richmond Theatre and Gardens Co. built the Mayfair Cinema, with shops facing onto the road. This opened on 18th July 1938 with Charlie Ruggles in “Turn Off the Moon” and “Danger! Love at Work” with Ann Southern. The theatre and the gardens now each holding 800. The programmes screened were identical to those in the company’s other cinema, the Richmond Cinema located further down the highway toward Fremantle. Each theatre ran a double feature and during intermission Reg Franklin (Herbert Locke’s son-in-law, who ran both theatres) would switch the films. The opening ceremony was performed by the Chief Secretary (Mr. W.H. Kitson M.L.C.). The proceeds of the opening night went to the building fund of the Melville Infant Health Clinic. The lighting of the theatre was a special feature. No lamps are visible, but brilliant effects are obtained with indirect lighting reflected from mirrors. The walls and ceilings of the interior are in flesh colours, with tea green lines forming an appropriate contrast. Woodwork is painted cream and sage green and exterior effects are obtained with cream and leather coloured shadings.

The Mayfair Cinema and Gardens closed in 1961. The dress circle was converted into a mezzanine floor which became a supermarket, while the upstairs was used for bingo. Later still, the premises were converted into a furniture shop operated by Percy Dunning and the gardens became a car park. In 1983 the premises were sold. By 2020 the building carries signage for “Life Ready” Physio and Pilates.

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