Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Ticket Theatre, Circa 1950
... public movie theatre... entertainment public movie theatre mount beauty cinema On each side ...
This ticket was used in the 1950's to gain entry into the Mount Beauty Cinema, located in the community Hall. This ticket was donated by the person who attended one film shown in this theatre. This was in an era where before the start of screening, the "British" anthem was played and all patrons were required to be up-stand. Sometimes if somebody was not standing the usher would advise the patron of their patriotic duties to the "Queen" required them to stand unless they were physically incapacitated. This act demonstrated the strong bond to "mother England". From the late 1960's onward this strong show of loyalty "faded away" into history.This theatre ticket is very significant to Mount Beauty because it was the access by the Kiewa Valley residents to "big city" movies. This was in a time frame when television was just beginning to be a popular household entertainment appliance. The Kiewa valley was for a very long time "out of range" for television reception and the only form of screen images were attending the Mount beauty Theatre (just like the big cities but on a more intimate level). Just like the city movie Theatres, the Mount Beauty Theatre, was the centre of the "after five o'clock" entertainment hub. This was a time when going to the theatre was a big event and townsfolk "got dressed up" for this special occasion.It was the gathering place for young and old.This thick cardboard Cinema ticket to the Mount Beauty Theatre (cinema) has two distinctive sections separated by a single perforation. One section for the doorkeeper and one section to "kindly retain". The colour is light green with black print. The ticket was printed by RENWICK PRIDE.On each side of the perforation is printed, "Mt. BEAUTY" underneath in smaller print "THEATRE" underneath a dividing line "RES. SEAT" and stamped underneath "F" "13". Below these on the left side "DOORKEEPER" and on the right side "KINDLY KEEP"ticket, small theatre, local entertainment, public movie theatre, mount beauty cinema