The Rex Cinema started in 1924 in a Bundanoon that had around 520 people and no mains electricity. Silent movies were screened using carbon arc projectors and a portable generator at Tylers Hall adjacent to the Hotel.
After the construction of the Soldiers Memorial Hall in 1934, the Rex Cinema made the Memorial Hall its new home. However, the advent of television in the 1960s brought about the demise of many cinemas around Australia, including The Rex.
In 1994 a group of volunteers massaged the old projectors back into life, and the Rex Cinema was reborn. For 20 years we used the carbon arc projectors, and while scratchy picture quality and unpredictable breakdowns added to the nostalgia of the nights, the range of titles available on celluloid film was diminishing. The convenience and performance of modern technology led our committee to favour the DVD technology we currently use.
The above history of the Rex Cinema is credited to the Bundanoon Community Association - see LINK
The story plot sees Penny returns to her childhood home for the Appleton Show and its 'world famous' potato race, she is outraged that the men's first prize pays out $2,000 and the winning woman's prize is only $200. She is determined to correct this but must prove to the locals that she is more than a blow-in.
A review of the film and details of the cast and production can be found on Wikipedia HERE
Some images of the event (October 20 2023) shown below.
Images by Peter Kneen