Page 31 - RD_2015_12

Which Theatre

Was On Thin Ice?

The Boxing Day attraction is a measure of a theatre’s
standing with exhibitors. Here is a snapshot from 1931 to
1943 of how the rivals positioned themselves for the
holidays. The Regent usually has the edge, and its films
are always first releases.

STATE REGENT

Night Nurse Huckleberry Finn
Barbara Stanwyck Jackie Coogan

Welcome Home Call Of the Wild
James Dunn Clark Gable,
When’s Your Birthday? Thin Ice
Joe E. Brown Sonja Henie

Mutiny On The Bounty ® Stanley and Livingstone
Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy

Dark Command The Sea Hawk
John Wayne Errol Flynn

Arabian Nights Hello Frisco, Hello
Maria Montez Alice Faye
® Signifies a revival.

Made for each other. The Herald 12 December 1952.

State Summary

Built For: Union Theatres (Vic.) Ltd AS FORUM AS RAPALLO
Supervising Architects: Bohringer, Taylor and Johnson Architect: Gordon Murphy and Associates
Builder: James Porter and Sons Builder: Ken Scott
Opened: 23 February 1929 on a two picture, weekly Opened: Easter Saturday 20 December 1963
change policy 21 April 1962
Flower Drum Song Charade
The Fleets In Clara Bow, The Cameraman Buster Keaton
Nancy Kwong Audrey Hepburn
First sound film: 6 April 1929 The Doctor’s Secret
Projectors: Cinemeccanica Ten Kalee 21
Ruth Chatterton
(1975, ex Chelsea)
Seating: 1929 - Stalls 1999 Balcony 1372 Total 3271
Seating: 944 627
1930 - Stalls 2043 Balcony 1377 Total 3420
JULY 1981:
Capacity from forties to close 3427
FORUM 1 FORUM 2
Projectors: Three matched Simplex, Type S Deluxe,
Upgrades: Dolby sound (both theatres) and 70mm
upgraded for Western Electric sound-on-disc and sound-on-
for Forum 1
film. Upgrade for W.E. Mirrorphonic Sound (1938)
Purchased by:
Gaumont Kalee 21’s installed in 1954. Revival Centres Australia 26 September 1986.
First CinemaScope Film: 1954. Sign of the Pagan Resold: 1995 to Staged Developments Australia Pty Ltd
(Universal) Jeff Chandler (Marriner Theatres)
First VistaVision Film: 1954. White Christmas Current Uses:
(Paramount) Danny Kaye Alternative Theatre Cinema/convention hire
Closed: 8 March 1962 Homicidal Glen Corbett. Twist
Around The Clock

CINEMARECORD 2003 31