Page 29 - RD_2015_12

Around the World in 80 Days began
the era of major technical
improvements at the theatre. It was also
re-painted and lounge seats from closed
suburban theatres replaced the tip-ups
in the back stalls.
The Hard Ticket policy introduced
for Around the World involved restricted
‘performances,’ not sessions. The idea
was to ‘elevate’ the films by using
phrases usually associated with live
theatre. There were no slides or film
ads. All seats were reserved and could
be booked up to three months ahead and
there were new uniforms for the staff.
For these big films the distributor
took 90 percent of the takings but in
return they paid all expenses: staff, rent
and advertising. This meant that when
business dropped the theatre would not
lose.
For South Pacific the focal point of
Check those shoes. All images these pages: Gil Whelan Collection.
the revamped auditorium was the white
satin curtains adorned with large red In photos of the upstairs foyer the allowed to take them. The Bathers and
hibiscus flowers. The lobby was grand piano which sets it off is the piano were taken to Sydney by
decorated with artificial palms and assumed to have been part of the Hoyts Managing Director John
bamboo and hibiscus were draped original décor (see cover photo). I am Moysten, who had the piano placed in
around the ticket box. The new staff proud to say that I was responsible for Hoyts theatrette there.
uniforms were called the Bali Hai rescuing that Weifbrod grand from the I felt privileged to be the longest
dresses, as worn by France Nuyen, Plaza in 1959, in the hurly-burly of serving manager at a fine old theatre,
‘Bloody Mary's’ daughter. Over the conversion to Cinerama, and having it particularly during those renaissance
course of the long run, the outfits were placed in the Esquire. years of long run films. For a while the
changed to a Mu-Mu style in different Some of the paintings in that foyer Esquire was Melbourne’s number one
colours. The female staff in other city were acknowledged to have merit. The cinema. Greater Union tried to emulate
theatres were a bit jealous. For them largest and most valuable was The the Esquire when they installed 70 mm
there was no change from the standard Bathers by Fred Reynolds, and another at their Chelsea for Porgy & Bess,
burgundy skirts and white blouses. five were by C. H. Waugh. Near the Lawrence of Arabia and some other top
At the Esquire all the female staff end of the theatre’s life, a lady came to films, but my theatre did it first. ★
wore exactly the same shoes. I had an see Jack Neylan, then Hoyts Manager
arrangement with a shoe manufacturer for Victoria and told him that her
to supply shoes suitable for the current grandfather (Waugh) had only loaned
uniform without charge, in return for them to the De Luxe. Jack
free advertising. acknowledged her claim and she was

CINEMARECORD 2005 29