GNOWANGERUP DRIVE-IN CINEMA

Les and Judy Kanzler from Katanning operated a movie film circuit that
included Katanning and Gnowangerup. For many years they showed
their films in the Gnowangerup Memorial Hall with Mr. Firth operating
the projectors. Gordon Freegard assisted in the projction room for a 
couple of years. Henry Frantom worked in the ticket box. They had
billboards outside the hall and others down near the butchers shop
where they pasted posters advertising coming features.The show
consisted of a cartoon followed by a feature movie, a break for
interval folllowed by a movietone newsreel then a second feature
movie. Cartoons featured Tom & Jerry, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse,
Heckle & Jeckle, Goofie and the Roadrunner. At interval time it was a
race across the road to Dudley Thorntons shop to grab and ice-cream
and some nibbles, then to race back before the bell sounded for the
end of interval and the start of the second movie.

As circumstances changed they build the drive-in cinerma about a
mile north of the town on the corner of the Gnowangerup-Broomehill
road and what was commonly caller "Lovers" Lane. It opened on the
29th February 1964. George Tacey, Ron Jorgenson and Michael Noonan alternated 
as Marshalls. Unfortunately the popularity of tellevision saw the
demise of the drive-in and it was eventually closed.

I believe it has been sold and is now used as a private residence.

GNOWANGERUP DRIVE-IN CINEMA OPENING LEAFLET 1964s             #1
 

GNOWANGERUP DRIVE-IN CINEMA  1977             #2
 

GNOWANGERUP DRIVE-IN CINEMA  1980             #3
 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      Research by Gordon Freegard

                                  Image:     3   Max Bell

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2023