Silent success for movie theatre
Sun 01 January 2006
Nellie McKellor, Communication
Hidden in a small country town in Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland is the Majestic Theatre, a humble old building with pigeons nesting in the ceiling.
Built in 1921, it is the last original operating silent theatre in the world. Residing in the middle of the sleepy town of Pomona, the theatre is the pride of the town.
In recent times the theatre has been entertaining busloads of tourists and cinema buffs eager for an authentic silent movie experience.
The theatre was originally built as a multi-purpose hall for social events, and for travelling vaudeville performers and silent picture-show men.
This was the usual Saturday night's entertainment for people in small rural towns.
When sound was introduced to film the Majestic ran the sound film, or 'talkies' from 1939 until 1987.
A one-off silent film screening to a group of tour operators changed all that. Their enthusiasm helped the Majestic's owner Ron West identify a gap in the tourism and film industry.
Since then, the Majestic hasn't looked back. The 'talkies' were scrapped and the program reverted to silent films.
Walking into the Majestic theatre is like stepping back in time. The theatre has authentic décor, with old leather theatre chairs, Grecian draping curtains and a mural above the stage.
Live music from a pipe organ accompanies each film. Every Thursday night the Majestic plays Son of Sheik, starring Rudolf Valentino, to tour groups and movie buffs. The movie has been running for more than 18 years and shows no sign of slowing.
Other popular silent films that are regularly screened are Phantom of the Opera and the Australian film On Our Selection.
The Majestic also has an annual silent movie festival that attracts big crowds from all around Australia and beyond.
It has been running for over 10 years now and also plays the sound films.
There is even a rumour of a ghost that walks a hallway backstage late at night. The hallway is carpeted, yet people have heard boots walking on a wooden floor late at night after the visitors have left.
Despite its quirks the Majestic theatre endures in popularity - as a place that time forgot - where applauding, cheering or booing are encouraged when the film is rolling.
Such a warm atmosphere is refreshing in such uncertain times and it is comforting to know the Majestic is there with old favourites such as the Charlie Chaplin classics, and the epic love story of The Son of Sheik.
Image(s) designed by Nellie McKellor
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Submitted Comments
I found the information on the history of the cinema extremely interesting. I can now understand why silent films have become so successful in this little town.
Lauren
Fantastic to see forgotten elements of history being retained, particularly in the film industry. The Majestic Theatre engenders community spirit and allows the broader population to be part of a bygone era. Too often this particular part of film history is relegated to books and talk fests with no real opportunity to view the media in its original form.
Tricia Bell