CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

"The first purpose-built cinema in Boulder was the Palace Gardens, erected by Mr J. P. Butler, in Burt St, on the north-west corner of Brookman St. It was leased by Electra Pictures, and opened on Wednesday 2 November 1910. The Kalgoorlie Miner (3 November 1910) explained that it was ´built along the same lines as the Stadium Kalgoorlie with the exception that, for the time being, there is a gravel floor, but otherwise the place is well fitted up'. On opening day, they described the premises:

The gardens are most complete and up-to-date. Seating accommodation is provided for 2000 persons, in the shape of garden seats, built up seats, and a large gallery. At one end of the grounds is a fine stage, having an opening of 24 feet. The operating box is constructed of asbestos, and is fireproof. Everything has been provided for the safety and comfort of visitors. (Kalgoorlie Miner 2 November 1910)
In winter, Electra Pictures screened in either the Theatre Royal or (diagonally opposite the gardens) in the Town Hall. Palace Gardens Skating Rink operated on this corner site 1912-1918, and King's Pictures screened there from 1912-14. In 1915 the premises were taken over by Butler's Palace Pictures, and in 1916 by Powell's Palace Pictures.

The story of the hardtop Palace Theatre, which later operated in conjunction with the gardens is more cloudy, with sources providing contradictory information.

In May 1916, a New Palace Theatre was reported to be nearing completion, beside the gardens in Brookman St:

Although not quite completed, the theatre furnished enough comfort to permit of it being thrown open to the public. The theatre is built on modern lines, having a sloping floor and special theatre chairs, and when totally finished will present an elaborate appearance. (Kalgoorlie Miner 17 May 1916)
´Appropriate music' was provided by the Palace orchestra.

From 1918-1920, the gardens on the corner facing onto Brookman St was known as the Lyric Theatre, perhaps while it was managed by Harrie Delavale. From 1920, now operated by R.Millbank, the name reverted to Palace Gardens, but Palace Theatre & Gardens continues to be advertised right through the period. In 1922-3 Watts was manager, and in 1924-5 he was joined by Smith.

Mrs Nelson played piano for film screenings here, and when the exhibitors (presumably Watts and Smith) could not pay her she took over the show, initiating the Nelson chain of cinemas that expanded into Kalgoorlie and beyond.

A second explanation of the construction of the Palace Theatre is that, when the hotel next door to the gardens in Burt St became vacant, it was converted into a theatre, and opened in 1927, with the gardens still operating on the corner next door. This places the building where it now stands in Burt St, but still does not explain why the Heritage Inventory lists it as being built in 1937: the present building also does not look like a converted hotel.

Descriptions of the theatre in the thirties are clear: the rear seating was ramped, and the biobox was located in the corner, where it could be swung around to project through the wall out into the gardens: the theatre was used in winter and the gardens in summer. In October 1929, a Raycophone sound system was installed. In 1933 Goldfields Pictures bought the Palace Theatre and Gardens from R.M.B.Nelson. In 1942 the theatre and the gardens had 1100 seats each, and the premises were screening six nights each week. In the sixties, it was operated by Selby Ford of Beverley, but reverted to Goldfields, who sold the theatre in 1975. In the nineties the building was still standing, in use as a skating rink." (Bertrand 2001)

References
Cinemaweb: http://www.ammpt.asn.au/CinemaWEB/SITE/view.php?rec_id=0000000288