Pier Picture Theatre Redcliffe 1928-69

The theatre, in its present location was first built in 1928, a few blocks up from the original Picture Palace opposite the jetty, that ran from 1917 to 1927.

It was owned by Mr and Mrs Jack Beedham and on 3rd November 1928, a week after closing down the first Picture Palace , the new Picture Pavilion opened without any formalities.

The theatre was used during the second world war for dances and concerts by the many different troops stationed in the area.

2 years later on March 14th 1943, Ma Beedham generously turned the Pier Theatre over the entertainers free of charge to hold a concert for the troops stationed in the area. In the early hours of the morning on March 15th 1943 a huge fire destroyed the theatre. The newly formed Auxiliary Fire Brigade was called out at 4.35 in the morning and it was their first structural fire, however it could not be saved. The fire erupted quickly, destroying the theatre, the detached Beedham house and a truck at the rear of the theatre.

Ironically the last film screened before the fire featured Gracie Fields singing "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye"

After World War two ended, Ma and Pa Beedham's son George returned from the RAAF and helped out as a projectionist. Over the next few years, many local identities worked at the Pier Theatre including James Houghton (The Redcliffe Mayor and Speaker of The House at Queensland Parliament) sold tickets. Shirley Houghton worked as an usherette. Bob Sutherland was the man on the door and Bill Clayfield was the projectionist.In 1950 the Beedham family sold the theatre to Messrs Kallos and Londy and it was a popular movie theatre for over 19 years.

The Pier Theatre closed in 1969, and the internal theatre was then demolished to make way for a retail store.

A page from the Pictorial History Of Redcliffe and Moreton Bay region book 1950s-80s

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Early Picture Shows Of Humpybong

72 page softcover book, detailing biographies of the earliest Picture Pavilions and theatres in Humpybong (Redcliffe) With original movie posters and movie details from advertisements and historical newspaper articles, including :

Lorneleigh Pictures Woody Point 1915 -1931

Redcliffe Picture Palace 1918 - 1928

Woody Point Memorial School of Arts Pictures 1928 -1937

Scarborough Picture Pavilion 1928 - 1935

Pier Picture Theatre Redcliffe 1928 - 1969

Margate Renown Theatre 1940 - 1962

The Bay Theatre Scarborough 1954 - 1976

Redcliffe Drive-In Theatre, Kippa Ring 1965 - 86

The book can be ordered at the following LINK

(With free store pickup and free delivery in the Moreton Bay region)

The book is also available as a downloadable pdf book at the following LINK