ONE of Australia's best loved cinemas notches up a century at the end of this month.
If the walls or floorboards of Broome's historic Sun Picture Theatre could talk, imagine what they would say.
The famous old picture theatre where moviegoers lounge in deck chairs under the night sky has survived tidal floods, World War II, cyclones and the advent of television and video entertainment.
Sun Pictures opened in December 1916 with its marble soda fountain, confectionary bar, cane and deck chair seating.
It was the era of silent movies and the entertainment came complete with an accompanying pianist. The "picture garden", as it was known, quickly became the central place for entertainment and socialising.
In 1924, Sun Pictures changed hands but continued to run as a cinema until then owners William Henry Milner Harry and Rupert Leonard Knight were forcibly evacuated two days before Japanese Zeros bombed Broome in March 1942.
New owners in 1948 continued the tradition of screening films until they sold the theatre to master pearler Alfred Morgan and his wife Ruby in 1953.
Local identities Peter and Jean Haynes managed the theatre for them for 28 years.
In 1982, Lord Alistair McAlpine became the new owner. A succession of managers followed until 1988, when Tony Hutchinson and Marisa Ferraz bought the theatre.
In 1997 Maria Ferraz became the sole owner. In 2000, husband Ross de Wit joined her and continued the care of this Australian icon.
To mark the centenary, the Sun Pictures Walk of Fame will be unveiled in Carnarvon Street in front of the theatre on August 26.
A ticketed event will be held at the cinema in the evening.