Building the Ritz Theatre in Bell Street, Ipswich, 1940 (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
In 1939 Queensland Theatres Pty Ltd decided to build a new Theatre in Ipswich. The architects chosen to design the building were Messrs. Guy Crick and Bruce Furse, Sydney; the building constructed by Messrs. J Hutchinson and Sons, Brisbane. Based on an art deco style in colours of green and cream the building was to be the latest up-to-date style with the latest ideas incorporated in the construction of the building. The building was to be air-cooled in summer and warmed in winter, a first for Queensland.
A competition to name the new luxury Theatre being built in Bell Street (next to Cribb and Foote) was run by the Directors of Queensland Theatres Limited. It had been decided to let the people of Ipswich name the new Theatre. Thousands of people entered the competition with the winning entry, ‘The Ritz’ being sent in by Mrs W. Thomson of Dinmore.
Ritz Theatre on Bell Street, Ipswich, early 1940s (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
The Ritz Theatre opened on April 26, 1940 with a gala premier. The Minister for Mines, D A Gledson attended, representing the Premier. Crowds filled Bell Street and a guard of honour formed by the Navy Sea Cadet Corps greeted guests. The film program for the evening consisted of a newsreel along with two films; Gene Autrey in South of the Border and Gracie Fields in Shipyard Sallie. Guests enjoyed seating luxury with chairs made from Dunopillo cushioned foam latex. The lighting effects were amazing. Varied coloured Fluron flourscent tubes controlled by a dimming apparatus blended so as to produce a wide variety of fascinating colour harmonies. The air conditioning circulated artificially produced healthful mountain air throughout the Theatre. The Ritz had a large candy store in the foyer. It also boasted a “crying room” for mothers with babies. The Manger was a Mr Frank Knox.
Beside the theatre in a separate older building was ‘The Ritz Café decorated in the same art deco style as The Ritz. The café was two storeys and housed a billiard saloon upstairs.
The theatre and cafe closed in April 1966 after having been sold to Cribb and Foote. Both buildings were demolished later in the year to make way for a car park.
Demolishing the Ritz Theatre in Bell Street, Ipswich, 1966 (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
Information taken from Picture Ipswich; ‘The Ritz. New Theatre name’, The Queensland Times, 8 December, 1939; ‘Personal’, The Queensland Times, 17 April, 1940; The Queensland Times 27 April, 1940; ‘Ritz Theatre sold to Cribb & Foote’s, The Queensland Times 24 March, 1966; Old Theatre put on the ritz’, The Queensland Times 2 May, 1986; Theatres once thrived in Ipswich, The Queensland Times.