CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

The Palace Hall was built around 1910 originally as a store room beneath a shop and residence. Films are known to have been exhibited from 1913 to crowds reportedly in excess of 300. For most of its lifespan the cinema appears to have been in a state of disrepair. (Parkinson 1995, pp 46-47) Exhibition ceased in April 1931 according to “on account of the depression” although other communal activities continued (police report quoted in Parkinson 1995, p.47). The building was razed by fire in 1933.

In 1934 a new general purpose hall was erected on the site. A bio-box was added in 1936 and the exhibition of film commenced forthwith. According to Parkinson by 1953 audience numbers were in decline and despite CinemaScope being introduced in 1956 the cinema was forced to close in June 1960 (Parkinson 1995, 48).

On 28 March 1966 after extensive repair work the cinema reopened under the name of Gala Cinema. Films were exhibited on a weekly basis only with two screenings each Saturday. The Gala closed in August 1967 after the Chief Secretary refused to reissue a licence until the amenities were rebuilt (Parkinson 1995, pp 48).

References:
Parkinson, R 1995, Gauffered Velour: a history of motion picture exhibition and picture theatres in the Illawarra district of New South Wales, 1897-1994, Australian Theatre Historical Society, Campbelltown, NSW.

Thorne, R, Tod, L & Cork, K 1996, Movie Theatre Heritage Register for New South Wales 1896 – 1996, Department of Architecture, University of Sydney, Sydney.