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auditorium. Residential flats are included behind and above the shops.
The promoters must have run into financial problems as the rear theatre portion was constructed of inexpensive
galvanised iron. The back stalls were on a raked floor and again stage facilities existed. Ventilation consisted
of opening the windows on the side walls on hot nights. Black-out drapes were used for the occasional matinee
e.g. "The Three Little Pigs", "Dames", "The Three Little Pigs". Yes, a repeat showing after the feature. The
ceiling consisted of fancy twenties-style plaster fitted with coloured light bulbs to dress up a fairly utility hall.

Many famous films appeared at this theatre in Hollywood's Golden Age, including "Lioyds of London", "Rose
Marie", "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm", "Too Hot to Handle", "Fire Over England" and "The Firefly". Around
1938, The Dal Monte arranged a live appearance of Charlie Vaude, the 3DB/3LK radio star then at the height
of his popularity, for one Saturday night only, plus a feature film. The theatre was quickly booked out and in a
rare spirit of co-operation , the show was also booked into the opposition Melba, on a switch basis. Although The
Oat Monte had no opposition after the destrucion of The Melba, it's hey-day only remained for another eighteen
months. Mr. Gange, the manager supervised the transfer to the brand new Town Hall in late 1939. As the war
progressed, the vacant Oat Monte auditorium was demolished from the main building, to reclaim the galvanised
iron for scrap-metal, which was in short supply.

Warracknabeal Town Haii/Regent/Warrack/Civic (Scott Street) - The council demolished the existing
shire offices around 1938/1939 amidst considerable opposition from the rate payers who were already financing
the town sewerage scheme commenced in 1938. A proviso of the new hall was that O"Halloran Theatres would
vacate The Oat Monte and undertake a seven year lease to assist with the council's financial arrangements. The
building was by the same architects as the Heidelberg Civic Centre, but in an economy design suitable for a
country town. Late in 1939, the building opened at the then large cost of 17,500 pounds. Fifty-five years later,
$35,000 would barely purchase an old cottage. Many of the locals did not like the thirties mode me appearance
and referred to it as "the shirt factory". Indeed, the property would have looked a little softer if it had been set
back in gardens on a larger block of land. Stage facilities were cramped and poorly planned, two dressing rooms
that protruded onto the stage area had to be demolished to enlarge the space.

Thus, The Regent Cinema, Warracknabeal opened as the war clouds gathered. As a ten year old, my impression
was "how up-to-date". A proper balcony with lounge and dress circle (we only ever had the cost of admission
downstairs, plus a penny ice-block- Dal Monte front stalls 6d, Regent now 9d) and a blower fan system to induce
some fresh air in warm weather. Downstairs back-stalls tip-up seats were on battens, to be moved to the walls
for dancing on the flat floor.

Best of all, the film industry was at its peak and the opening show was "Sweethearts" and "The Jones Family
in Hollywood", for all the family "The Great Waltz". "Jesse James"."The Mikado", "The Wizard of Oz" and "The
Little Princess" followed in the next year. Many films of this era remain television staples to this day. The
O'Halloran lease eventually ran out and was advertised for public tender. It was awarded to Mr. W. Rogers and
Mr. R. Horsburgh who formed Warrack Theatres, around 1946/4 7. New projection equipment was installed and
screenings continued with a limited supply of product from British Empire films. Eventually, MGM and Warner
Bros. also offered certain lesser attractions, unscreened by the previous tenant. The partners also undertook
weekend showings at the Minyip and Beulah halls and I received my first bio-box training on this circuit.
O'Halloran theatres fought back with the Regent open-air. After several years, it was apparent the town was not
big enough for two shows and Warrack Theatres sold out to O'Halloran who continued until television arrived.
During the early eighties another company leased the town hall and operated as The Civic Cinema. Perhaps
one of our readers can supply these details.

Regent Open-air (Devereux Street)- To counteract the loss of the town hall, O'Halloran theatres fenced the
vacant Melba land with galvanised iron and moved in a mobile bio-box built on the back of a chevrolet or dodge
truck. The equipment was reputed to have come from a similar show somewhere along the Murray River. Long
canvas deck chairs completed the arrangements. Suddenly Warracknabeal was deluged with three pro-
grammes a week at the new set-up, including such four star attractions as "Mrs. Mtniver", "Random Harvest"
and "Gone with the Wind". On a sharp, cold night it required at least two rugs and a hot water bottle to last out
the four hours. Max Steiner's great musical score could clearly be heard blocks away in the night air and as the
upper portion of the screen was visible from the street, hardy school children occasionally climbed the gum trees
outside for a free show. I returned to Melbourne in 1948 and a year or two tater, Mr. Rogers offered me a position
as assistant at The Mayfair, Gardenvale. I was happily employed at the much superior Camden, Caulfield and
decided not to move.

I would be pleased to hear from anyone who may remember or can add to these notes.