Page 17 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Opposite was once the Metro theatre, now in use as the Albert Cinemas. The Metro was built in 1937 in art
deco style. As part of Greater Union's major rebuilding program in the 1970's the old Metro became a totally
rebuilt structure in the form of a three-plex. It was opened in 1973.

A curious cinema was the old Wintergarden theatre, which was situated a few doors down from the Regent.
The Wintergarden was also large with seating for 2,136 patrons. A rather unique structure, which had a narrow
foyer leading in from the street. Like the Regent and Her Majesty's, the auditorium was set some distance back
from its entrance. Smoking was permitted here as well, but took its toll on the interior of the cinema. The
Wintergarden was among an early group of "picture palace" cinemas built in 1924. This was the same year that
Sydney's Prince Edward and Melbourne's Capitol theatres were built.

Razed in 1965 and situated directly opposite Brisbane City Hall, the Tivoli and Roofgarden theatres should
probably be noted as being Australia's first twin cinema complex. Both were originally legitimate theatres and
became cinemas in the twenties. The Roofgarden was built above the Tivoli. For most of their time both
cinemas shared the same prints, but from 1960 the Roofgarden began to receive seperate programing. Access
was via an elevator to the Roofgarden, which was a one level cinema. The auditorium could be best described
as being a "convertable". The spartan interior consisited of a lattice ceiling with both side walls being almost
entirely covered by wooden slatted roller shutters running nearly the full length of the cinema. Perhaps a
summer night here may have been a delight, an added bonus was the distraction of the city skyline lit up at
night.
The nvoli was rebuilt in in the 1930's to the art deco pattern and was totally opposite to the Roofgarden above
it. A comfortable showplace with a fully plastered interior, the Tivoli also contained a stage and flytower.

During the sixties Greater Union embarked on a program of new construction of its chain, this being caused by
the demise of the Tivoli and Roofgarden. The new theatres were the Cinema George, built inside the old
ramshackle Lyceum and the Forum in Albert Street. A departure here from contemporary practice was the
decision to include a balcony in the design and use of "revivalist" neo-picture palace architecture. The end
result was a handsome building with interesting features, designed in 1966, this era perhaps normally noted for
featureless buildings which made the Forum unique. Both houses were equipped for 70mm. Cinema George
had the luxury of three projectors, two of which were the Cinemeccanica Victoria 8's and a siimilar setup was
also found in the Forum bio-box .

Finally, it is perhaps worth a mention in these pages of the somewhat versatile Her Majesty's theatre. Erected
in 1888 as Her Imperial Majesty's Opera House and later simply His Majesty's. This theatre doubled as both a
fully equipped legitimate theatre and, from the early years of this century, also a cinema. When films were
screened the programs were organised by the Hoyts company. This arrangement continued until the late
1970's. The bio-box was up to date in the 1960's. A pair of Philips DP70 projectors were used here with
matching lamp houses. "My Fair Lady" was presented here in both the live production by J.C. Williamson and
the film version screened in 70mm. Her Majesty's was demolished in 1984, joining a long line of lost heritage
in this city.

I was fortunate enough to obtain a transfer to Sydney in 1975, where I continued in the ·p rejection room for a
few more years. Time permitting, I may write about some of the theatres that I worked in that city as well.

Author's note: The figure of 14 city theatres in Brisbane also includes those theatres located fn Fortitude Valley, an inner city shopping
district. Ross Thorne advises me that smoking has been banned in all theatres for some years now.
References: Author's own notes and files. The Mallon Picture Directory. KINO June 1992 P.9,"Saturday Night at the Movies "by
Karen Cox. The Diaphone Vol.7.No.2. "Brisbane's Regent Theatre" by the late Gordon Berry.
Opening Program RegentTheatre Brisbane, 1929 .

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• ERRATA: The editor wishes to aplolgise for the error in the last line of the article •
• "From Mechanics Institute To Multiplex" in Cinema Record #1 0. The last •
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• line should read as "Miklos Rozsa Film Music Society", not "Miklos Plaza". •
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