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Gentleman Lou – another reminiscence.

By Ian Willams. (Hoyts 1949 – 1964)

rom December’s CinemaRecord, Ross King’s was packed with Garland fans! Lou did, however, get me into
memories of Lou Somprou prompt me to add some some minor strife on one occasion. In the Regent’s dying
Fadditional recollections from my own experiences. days with its lower grade product, a first release movie had to
Ross writes of a personal memory of Lou Somprou whom he be taken off after one week and two of the great Fox
knew from 1960. My memories of Lou go back to soon after musicals shared a split week to follow. THE KING AND I
I started my career as the office junior in the city publicity was the Fri/Sat/Mon movie and was booking quite well. I
department on May 16th, 1949. We were on the first floor, was talking to Lou and said off-handedly that the lounge was
left side in the Melbourne Regent Theatre building, and Lou almost booked out on the Saturday night. Back in my office
was located on the third floor in the booking department soon after, I was summoned by the city supervisor and asked
where he was the head booker for the entire suburban circuit what I had been saying to Lou. Turned out that he had been
of approx. 35 theatres plus country locations. If you can talking to GG after I left him and said that the THEATRE
name the year that Hoyts was formed, then Lou was already had almost been booked out! What - GG must have thought,
in the industry when that came about! Whilst George Griffith all 3253 seats, no way!...
Snr. was one of the founders of Hoyts, his son, George I was also present at Lou’s 90th birthday held at the
Griffith Jnr. was the one that I knew and was a dynamic Musicians Club in Queens Road. When the need for a full
executive and showman. GG Jnr launched drive-ins in booking department lessened and release dates were often
Australia despite MD Earnest Turnbull’s lack of interest. He simultaneous with screenings in the city – he relieved as
also was responsible for inaugurating their Australia wide fan theatre Manager, mainly at the Bentleigh Theatre. From
magazine Screen News AND the man who got the Regent memory, his passing was partly as a result of being knocked
back on its feet after the disastrous fire in 1945. Lou could over whilst walking on the footpath - from which he never
even claim to have nursed baby George in the latter’s fully recovered. Without
infancy! Since GG passed away in 1974 in his early sixties this tragic accident he
this must have been about1910. would probably have
One cannot speak of Lou Somprou without describing reached the magic 100
him as one of nature’s gentlemen. (there aren’t many of us years which he so richly
left - chuckle!). I don’t think that I ever heard him lose his deserved. If only he had
temper. He was probably the only person in Hoyts to whom put his memories down
GG could hardly say no. When GG started the Friday night on paper, what a feast of
supper shows at the Regent South Yarra, NO stories there would be to
COMPLIMENTARY’S was the order of the day. One week absorb! ★
they screened Judy Garland’s A STAR IS BORN. I wanted
to go and had asked Lou if he thought that I could get in. He
got back to me at the Regent and said that it was OK. That Lou Somprou. Photo courtesy
was the best audience that the movie ever had, the theatre of: Ross King Collection.

The Cinema And Theatre Historical Society Victoria is proud to have
The Sun Theatre Yarraville as our major sponsor. Many thanks to member
Mr Michael Smith, the owner of the Sun Theatre, for providing the venue
for CATHS meetings and events.

The Sun Theatre is the home of The Sun Film Society and MGS Infa Set.This unique cinema
offers comforts for all to enjoy in delightful art deco surroundings and is available for hire.
In conjunction with the Sun Film Society, the Sun Theatre offers you a wide selection of films.
For program and venue hire inquiries, contact Theatre Manager Ms PinaVirtuoso
◆
on Tel: 9362 0999 ◆ Fax: 9362 0338 Website: www.suntheatre.com.au
Email: sun@mgsgroup.com

8 Ballarat Street, Yarraville 3013

CINEMARECORD 2002 29