When Sunday screenings sparked a stir

There were three theatres showing silent films, The Lyric, The Star and The Paramount, with two of them showing films outdoors.

Cinema quickly gained popularity among the local community.

However, a deputation led by the Minister of the Methodist Church complained to council, condemning the ‘evil’ of permitting commercial entertainment on the Sabbath.

Ironically, for a man of the cloth, he said the citizens had been shocked by the screening of The Ten Commandments at The Paramount Theatre, on a Sunday.