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This brings up to that fateful day, Wednesday, 26th November, 1958 - the final: screening at the Regal.

Handbills adve1tising the theatre's closure and giving details of the last programmes were widely circulated.
The British Empire Films distributing exchange had the doubtful honour of providing programmes for the
theatre's final week - aJI films were from the Rank Organisation. "Windom's Way" with Peter Finch and Mary
Ure was the main feature on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 20th, 21st, 22nd, with "Jumping for
Joy", starring Frankie Howerd and Stanley Holloway, supporting it. On Monday; Tuesday and Wednesday,
November 24th, 25th and 26th, "The Bolshoi Ballet" featuring Galina Ulanova occupied the entire programme.
This was "Exclusive to the Regal at enormous expense."

"Say farewell to the Regal" exhorted the handbill. I did just that and put in an appearance on both Saturday and
Wednesday nights - the latter being the fateful November 26th.

In his valedictoty address from the stage, Mr. Howard, to my surprise, blamed not the advent of television for
the Regal's demise but the retention of entertainment tax by the State government. I will not elaborate here as
the subject is dealt with in the Essendon Gazette's account of the closure of the theatre which will appear later.
The Bolshoi Ballet was a wonderful film and, although I am not exactly a ballet fan I do enjoy ballet music and
the music which accompanied the film was superb. Result ~ more nostalgic record purchases but they were
L.P.'s by this time.

I had gone to the Regal on Wednesday, November 26th, 1958, with one ambition- to be the last patron to leave
the theatre. Unfortunately, I didn't have much going for me.
As the film ended, the red velvet curtains closed for the last time (At the Regal anyway - they were later
installed in a theatre in the R.M.I.T.), the audience rose to depart and the exit music started. I sat fast.
But not for long. Seconds later I heard the lady in the seat behind say to her daughter "We're going to be the
fast ones to leave the theatre." I don't usually give in easily but on this occasion I capitulated at once. I was due
at work at 11.45 p.m. that night and had to walk up to Essendon station and catch a train.
Simply stated, I was not in a position to participate in a sit in. Sadly, I had to be content with being one of the
stragglers amongst the audience on that last night. At least I had been one of the last to pay my respects to our
beloved Southern Cross or the Regal - Essendon's theatre of distinction.

Commenting on the closure of the Regal. the Essendon Gazette of November 27th, 1958, reported:-
"Localland mark closes. This Thursday evening will be very different in Essendon. Some of the brightness that
goes to make up the city will have vanished. The place where so many since 1939 found their entertainment
will stand dark and the doors will be closed.

The Regal Theatre, Buckley Street, wlll be no more. The venue of many a young couple, children. parents.
indeed one of the strongholds of family entertainment in the area has given up the battle against the entertain-
ment tax.

The theatre opened in August, 1939, featuring a much younger Mickey Rooney in 'Boy's Town'. Final feature
shown this week was 'The Bolshoi Ballet:'.

Some might say that the closing of a theatre is of little importance, but the part it plays in the life of the
community has been demonstrated by the amazing number of letters received by the managing director, Mr.
W.J. Howard, of the company which operated the Regal. They come from all parts of the district and even
further afield, from youngsters who have just commenced cinema going and from people who have made a
weekly visit to the theatre ever since it opened.

Letters were received too from the many charitable organisations which have benefited to the extent of thou-
sands of pounds raised in the theatre. These included the Red Cross, school bodies, churches, tennis clubs,
etc. Letter'S expressing regret were also received from local councillors, past and present.
In an inteNiew this week, Mr. Howard said he would like to thank all the people who had written so kindly and
expressed their regrets that the theatre was closing. He would also like to thank, through the 'Gazette', all those
who had patronised the theatre down the years. Personally, he felt that he was losing many friends.
Continual drain.

"The reason why the theatre is closing", said Mr. Howard, "is principally because of the entertainment tax. TV
and higher costs have had some effect, but these difficulties could have been weathered had it not been for the
continual drain of a tax which takes roughly 20 percent of the nett prtce of each seat."

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