Blown Away
Hollywood Brought to Australian Small-Town Cinemas
When Dancing Lady screened in Australian cinemas in 1934, promotional fans were distributed featuring a portrait of the lead actress, Joan Crawford. Serving a similar purpose to the imagery on popcorn buckets today, these fans were intended to generate excitement for new releases.
This particular fan was produced and distributed by T. J. Dorgan’s North Coast Theatres, one of Australia’s first cinema chains, which operated across north-coast NSW. The chain was established by Thomas Joseph Dorgan between the 1920s and his death in 1944. He founded notable venues like the Star Court Theatre in Lismore and the Dorgan Cinema and Garden Theatre in Grafton.
As one of Australia’s leading theatre entrepreneurs, Dorgan also supported smaller cinemas along the coast, including the Iluka Picture Theatre. This small cinema, operated by film industry pioneer Frank Clancy, transformed entertainment for the isolated coastal town of Iluka. Frank took over the local hall, installed state-of-the-art film equipment, and screened the latest releases. No longer did residents need to endure the arduous trip across the Clarence River to catch a movie in the next town.
This era also marked an exciting moment in film history. In 1929, sound arrived in Australian cinemas, replacing silent films with synchronized music, dialogue, and sound effects. This simple fan isn’t just memorabilia; it’s a window into the early history of cinema in regional communities.
Imagine a local Iluka resident on a sweltering summer day, fanning themselves in the packed cinema, captivated by the glamour and excitement of Dancing Lady.
