Introduction

From 1930 to September 1932, Les Engel, a prominent businessman in Port Stephens, operated a cinema on Saturday nights in Australia Hall at Tea Gardens.

The films which were screened during the early years of the Great Depression, would have provided a much needed lift to the Tea Gardens community in that difficult period.

The late 1920’s and early 1930’s saw the beginning of the transformation in the American film industry from silent films to talkies [with sound).

The movies screened at Tea Gardens ranged from silent movies to ‘talkie pictures.’ The movies also featured many screen legends of the time.

The Dungog Chronicle of 10 July 1931, page 4, reported that Les Engel provided one of several free film nights in July 1931:

‘Mr. Les. Engel, Australia Hall, Tea Gardens, gave a free show on Thursday night last. This is not the first occasion that Mr. Engel has provided gratuitous pictures and many who are feeling the effects of the depression appreciate his generosity, and no doubt look forward to the time when they will show their appreciation. Mr. Percy, travelling picture showman presented “All Quiet on the Western Front” on Saturday night last, and had a good house. This silent picture is not a true reflex of the novel itself. Those who have read the book consider it is just as well.’

Most of the films shown at the Australia Hall, Tea Gardens, were newly released American productions. These films spanned the range of western, drama, comedy, war time adventures, and cartoons.

This paper reproduces the advertisements for the films placed each week by Les Engel in the Dungog Chronicle. A film poster for most of the movies featured is also set out below each advertisement to illustrate the adventures that awaited audiences.

Film Advertisements and Promotional Posters

14 February 1930

An American silent drama film released in 1927

A 1927 American silent film drama film

4 April 1930

Generic style of advertisement published for upcoming films

17 April 1930

An American sound drama film that premiered on 22 January 1928.

A 1926 sound comedy drama war film released in January 1927

16 May 1930

Generic advertisement published

3 October 1930

An American silent comedy film released in 1928.

An American silent Western film, released in 1929

24 October 1930

Generic advertisement

30 October 1931

Generic advertisement

21 November 1930

A 1930 American anti-war film – screened again at Tea Gardens in May 1932.

A 1929 German silent mountain film

16 January 1931

An American ‘All Talking’ comedy-drama musical film released in 1929

An American 1928 semi-biographical film, with synchronised music and sound effects, with some talking sequences.

An American 1928 synchronised sound drama film, without audible dialogue

A 1927 American silent drama film

13 February 1931

  A 1928 American part-talkie drama film

27 February 1931

An American full sound dramatic film.

A 1929 American drama film

27 March 1931

Generic advertisement

2 April 1931

‘Taking a Chance’ was a 1928 American silent Western film. Buck Jones was an American actor known for his role in many Western movies. A promotional poster for the film is unavailable.

A 1928 American sound comedy film

24 March 1932

Generic advertisement

1 April 1932

A 1930 American Western film.

A 1930 American crime film

    April 1932

A 1930 American film.

Mickey Mouse Sound Cartoons were a series of American animated short films that started in 1928 and were screened at Tea Gardens on numerous occasions.

            20 May 1932

A 1930 American Western film featuring John Wayne in his first leading role.

27 May 1932

A 1930 American anti-war film. [Previously screened at Tea Gardens in November 1930]

11 June 1932

A 1931 American film about the secret mission of a United States submarine.

17 June 1932

Constance Bennett. A promotional poster for the film is unavailable.

15 July 1932

Generic advertisement

22 July 1932

A 1931 American film

29 July 1932

A 1931 American film

19 August 1932

A 1931 American romantic comedy drama film

16 September 1932

A 1925 American silent war drama film.

A 1930 American comedy film

Concluding Comments

The Tea Gardens cinema at the former Australia Hall, although operational for just for two years, was the only one to serve the local area, until a cinema was opened in 2002 at Nelson Bay.

That cinema closed on 31 January 2024 due to financial issues. Fortunately it opened again on 13 June 2024 under new ownership.

Information on Australia Hall at Tea Gardens is found at this link on the website.

A venture into movie making at Port Stephens was undertaken in 1992 with the shooting of several scenes of the movie Reckless Kelly on Tomaree Head. Information on this movie is available at the above link on the website.

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

July 2025