Paul Weston: Revealing the final act for the Old Burleigh picture palace

It’s been used as an air raid shelter, a theatre and even for prayer services. Now the fight to determine whether the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade can be heritage-listed starts.

The State Government’s heritage branch has advertised for public submissions on the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade. Should it be replaced with a 14-storey luxury accommodation tower?

Council officers considered eight nationally recognised criteria under the Queensland Heritage Act. Their recommendation was that the council fight to save it.

The De-Luxe Theatre at Burleigh Heads. It became the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

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The arcade’s historic significance was a “rare example of its type” and the building had a “special association with families who created the film industry”.

The original timber and iron theatre built by William Fradgley included a supper room under a stage and four shops with a cantilevered awning at the front. You could dance in the hall.

The Deluxe Theatre was used for prayer for catholic services, an air raid shelter during the second World War, but its main role was as our Cinema Paradiso.

OLD BURLEIGH THEATRE TO BE DEMOLISHED

The De-Luxe Theatre at Burleigh Heads. It became the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

An Australian Army convalescent camp had been created at Tallebudgera and an American camp at west Burleigh. Separate film nights stopped the brawls between the troops.

In 1954, the theatre had its roof and sides torn off by a cyclone. Rebuilt in brick and timber, six flats were added to the top storey and shops below.

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The Fradgleys sold to the Thams Brothers company in 1950. They had numerous film investments including the Sundale theatre and Southport drive-in.

The movies continued at Burleigh until 1966. The last was Circus World, starring John Wayne and Rita Hayworth — the Duke ironically playing a showman on his last tour.

WHY THIS COUNCILLOR WILL NOT VOTE ON PROTECTING OLD BURLEIGH ARCADE

The De-Luxe Theatre at Burleigh Heads which became the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

When does a hero fade into the distance? Stroll inside the Regent Theatre in Brisbane, try to find your regular seat, for the matinee which began with Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid and continued with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman in Papillion.

Memories remain but there is no trace of place. Is Burleigh any different?

LEADING ARCHITECT CALLS TO SAVE OLD BURLEIGH ARCADE

Back in the day — the Regent Theatre in Brisbane. Picture by Karol Gawlick. The Courier-Mail Photo Archive.

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“It’s not as if it’s the original building,” former Burleigh MP Christine Smith says.

“I’m all for holding on to original heritage — but it’s been redesigned. The building has no redeeming features, full stop. It has lost its soul.”

Others agree with Ms Smith but want to at least save the facade.

“The arcade no longer resembles a 1930s art deco picture palace but it’s as much a part of Burleigh as the headland and Norfolk pines,” a community leader says.

Surfrider Foundation had an office there, surfers would eat a beef nachos washed down with a San Miguel downstairs at Montezumas, the city’s oldest Mexican restaurant.

COUNCIL UP ITS BID TO PROTECT OLD BURLEIGH BUILDING

Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade as it is today.

“In the crevices of the bricks, you will find surfing history,” an older Miami resident says.

Whatever happens in the final act for the Old Burleigh Theatre, like Butch and Sundance, this brick building will be front and centre the hero of the piece.

Support for it forced council officers to review the City Plan, and they found the provisions are not strong enough to protect heritage buildings. They must be strengthened.

Burleigh fired the last shot. Other much more solid surviving relics of the city’s post-war beachside culture might live to see another day.