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question, he set the stars and planets in • Better quality films from the original, but ‘impossible’ was not a
their positions on opening night and studios that had traditionally word in the language of the people
thereby freeze-framed the event. supported the theatre. who first created it.
A variation of this story says that some Once the films of show-off director Optimism about its future is the least it
orbital movement was possible and Cecil B. DeMille were screening in the deserves. The building will stand for a
that every so often staff from the ‘look at me’ theatre, the potential of long time yet, and taste might change
Melbourne Observatory came in to re- the State edged towards realization. again. In the meantime the story of the
set the sky. The release of The Greatest Show On State and the people behind it is an
The banner headline of the opening Earth (1952) into Australia’s Greatest example of those lines by Browning,
night advertisement declared in part, Theatre (the tag had long been ‘A man’s dreams must exceed his
Never Was A Theatre So Beautiful Or discarded) was appropriate. The next grasp, else what’s a heaven for?’ ★
Its Glory So Dearly Bought… The few years consolidated these gains, re-
sentence did end on a positive note, establishing the theatre as an address REFERENCES:
but a truth was made public - the for solid entertainment. The studios 1 The Herald 23 February 1929
dream was straining resources. that had given long time support began 2 Table Talk 27 February 1929
The only time the State to tap into themes that connected with 3 Table Talk 21 March 1929
monopolized the attention of the film audiences – the Douglas Sirk 4 Quoted by Ben Hall in The Best
Remaining Seats,
public was in the three weeks before melodramas that began with All That Clarkson N. Potter Inc. NY.
the opening of the Regent. The big Heaven Allows, the Doris Day/Rock 5 C.R Coster. Melbourne State Kino
theatre on Collins Street became not Hudson comedies and dramas like The 19, 1987
just a rival, but a nemesis. The State Caine Mutiny. Ever reliable Paramount 6 Health Department file
publicity had promised ‘Paramount released both White Christmas and 7882P1/837/7109
Pictures come exclusively to the State,’ Rear Window in the same year (1954).
and ‘...Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Even so, a few good films don’t make ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
attractions will be seen only at the a profitable year. The record was still Jason Marriner, for kindly hosting a
State’ but neither statement proved to spotty. On opening week of The Robe CATHS inspection of the theatres this
be true. The best films from the major the State was showing The Great year.
studios went into the Regent/Plaza or Sioux Uprising. Melbourne Archives Centre/ Public
Records Office.
the Capitol. Union Theatres responded The decision to twin the State,
As well as the references (above), the
in the only way they could. They successful on its own terms and
article draws on information in
beefed up their stage presentations to sympathetic to the original vision, Cinemas of Australia via USA by Ross
cover the on-screen deficiencies. inevitably diminished that wonderful Thorne and The Dream Palaces, Part
As the Depression took its toll on spirit of excess. Two theatres of 944 One: The Atmospherics by Les Tod and
public spending, The State seats and 627 seats were not so Kevin Cork. The author is solely
simultaneously reduced prices and different to anything else. The best part responsible for the opinions expressed.
increased the total entertainment to three was that the change is reversible. It’s
and a half hours! As audiences impossible to imagine a Melbourne
continued to fall away the lavish stage mind-set and economic conditions that
productions were sacrificed. The organ would call for restoration of the
entertainment was sacrosanct and every
so often the theatre shared stage acts
with the Tivoli. Revivals were never
screened at the Regent, whereas they
were endemic at the State. It’s a
measure of the popularity of the
building, and the ‘show must go on’
approach of management, that it
survived. Average nightly attendance for
May, June and July of 1935 was 1702,
half the capacity of the building. (6)
Five influences turned the State
around:
• Stronger financial management
resulting from the re-organisation
to Greater Union Theatres.
• The public’s love affair with
Deanna Durban.
• An insatiable war-time appetite for
film entertainment.
• Paramount Pictures decision (from
1940) to release their prestige films If these walls could talk. The basement in 2003 still holds the original staff board. The
there. last update was when Arnold Coleman was organist.

30 2003 CINEMARECORD