pomona

The Majestic Theatre, Pomona.

The Majestic Theatre has stood proudly in the Queensland hinterland village of Pomona, since 1921. The theatre was originally built as a social hall by the Osborne Family. Silent movies were screened on a semi-regular basis by travelling showmen during the 1920s. The building was leased to Ernie Bazzo in 1933 and a balcony and a bio box were added, and the name was changed to the Majestic Theatre.

The theatre was purchased by Ron and Mandy West in 1973 and, in 1987, they commenced screening silent movies with Ron providing organ accompaniment. In 2006 the theatre was sold to Pomona Arts Inc., a not-for-profit community group, which refurbished the theatre over the next couple of years. It is now run entirely by volunteers. The theatre was Heritage Listed in 2009. The Majestic claims to be the only theatre in the world screening silent films on a regular basis. It is also the longest running picture theatre in Queensland.

The Majestic celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2021, with a series of special events, among which was a special screening of the 1926 film, Son of the Sheik, the first silent film screened by Ron West in 1987. Ron provided accompaniment to the movie on the theatre’s 1937 Compton organ.

Text adapted from Majestic publicity brochure.

Picture credits: Bob Cunningham, Tony Tibballs.

Ron West at the Compton organ.