West's Theatre

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Uploaded on: October 16, 2021

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It seems West made some improvements to his open-air Crown over time – possibly even adding some roofing. However he recognized a need for more attractive facilities, and indeed submitted plans to council for a new cinema on ‘West’s Corner’ in 1916. West’s ‘New Cinema House’, the Crown Theatre on the corner of Junction and Berry Streets, was licensed for 674 on 28th March 1919. (It had actually opened in late 1918). West was heavily involved in sports of all kinds, and the story goes that he was so keen for young people of the town to be involved in outdoor activities that he was reluctant to screen Saturday matinees. (It could also be the case that he himself didn’t want to miss those events!) In 1929 West spoke of rebuilding the Crown to hold an audience of 1200, however it seems likely that his plans were dampened by contemplating the cost of an imminent conversion to ‘Talkies’ which were launched 19th November 1930 with Pathe’s “Officer O’Brien” released in Australia by local distributor Celebrity Pictures.