District mourns loss of a cinematic gem

The man responsible for bringing movies to Wagin and surrounding districts has played his last picture, dying at the age of 88. Since the 1980s, Frank Terry had owned and operated the Little Gem Theatre in Wagin, known as the Betty Terry Community Cinema in honour of his wife Elizabeth, who died in 2014. Known for his love of cinema, Mr Terry ran the drive-in theatres in the area in 1967 in partnership with the “Picture Show Man” Paddy Baker. Mr Terry bought the old powerhouse in Wagin and worked hard to convert it into a cinema, starting with 16mm films, then progressing to one 35mm projector and eventually two newer projectors. Pia Lambert first met Mr Terry in November 2011 when she joined the cinema’s volunteer group. “Frank amazed me with his quiet and knowing demeanour and he always listened more than he spoke,” she said. “He was instrumental to the cinema getting contracts with big studios, and thus the ability to bring big-screen movies to Wagin and the surrounding communities. “Frank had the knowledge of what movies would be a hit, and the first movie shown was Red Dog — a wise choice.” Ms Lambert said one of her favourite memories of Mr Terry involved his delight with children. “Frank loved to hear the laughter during a kids’ movie,” she said. “His whole face would light up at the sound of people enjoying themselves.” Mr Terry’s favourite movies were black-and-white films that featured an organ and an orchestra, but he was also a lover of modern feel-good movies that would please adults and children. “I don’t think the community realised just how much of an impact and contribution Frank made to bringing movies to Wagin,” Ms Lambert said. According to Ms Lambert, the current BTCT volunteer not-for-profit organisation was highly supported by Mr Terry. “He enjoyed teaching new people the ropes of the cinema, never imposing his immense knowledge, just giving you enough know-how to feel tentatively confident, because the show must go on,” she said. “There are no words to express the loss, the sadness and grief we feel of having lost Frank. “I express my condolences and respect to his family during this time of grieving.”