Redcliffe Picture Palace 1918-28

The original open air Picture Palace was built by two WW1 returned servicemen, Mr Eckard and Mr Davies, for the summer season of 1918. It was located on Redcliffe Parade opposite the Jetty between J. M. Phillps' Oyster Kiosk and Pikett's fruit shop. (Where the subway shop is currently located on Redcliffe Parade)

The photo above of the open air Picture Palace taken in 1923.

In 1921 the owners of the Redcliffe Picture palace put their theatre up for auction. The Brisbane Courier newspaper advertised the theatre as the Redcliffe Picture Pavilion.

Harold Slight (Jack) Beedham and Eleanor Elizabeth Beedham (nee Corscadden) were the successful bidders. They became local identities know as Ma and Pa Beedham.

The original open air theatre was roofed in 1921-22 .

In 1928 , Ma and Pa Beedham built a new Picture Pavilion two allotments away from the original theatre and a Mr A Robson directed the works. It was located next to the Moreton Vista Guest House.

The old theatre closed down on Saturday 27th October 1928, Final screenings were "The Tempest" set during the 1914 Bolshevik uprising starring John Barrymore and Camilia Horn, and Wyoming starring Tim McCoy. The Tempest was screened with synchronised music and sound effects.

On 3rd November 1928, a week after closing down the first Picture Palace , the new Picture Pavilion opened without any formalities. See our page on the history of the Pier Theatre 1928-

Ma and Pa Beedham family history can be found at the following LINK

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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