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The first Hoyts suburban
CinemaScope screening began 15 April
1954 at the Regent South Yarra, 29
April at Padua Brunswick, and May 13
at the Broadway. The next in line were
the Regent Thornbury and the Barkly
Footscray. On 10 June 1954 these five
theatres initiated the new release policy.
The other 31 theatres in the chain had
months to wait.
Having hurdled over the stately
Regent Gardiner in the showmanship
stakes, the Broadway also brought
some real competition to the Rivoli.
The novelty of the same Cinemascope
show in the suburbs as at the Regent or
Plaza in Collins Street, meant that the
Broadway was drawing audiences from
further afield. Show-time was now
almost a repeat of the forties -
permanent seat bookings, the ‘Full
House’ sign on Friday and Saturday
night, front-row patrons seemingly
almost touching the screen, and better
attendances on the other nights too. At
interval, the packed foyer and over-flow
to the footpath, re-inforced that this was
the ‘in’ place. An unchanging part of the
scene was the sound of W2 Class trams
grinding their way up the hill, and on
the return journey, clattering over the
points near the front doors.
The Broadway continued in this
format for the rest of its days. As more
theatres closed and recycling became
an option, it was fitted out with better
seats in a centre aisle configuration. By
the seventies the bland interior was a
In the big league now. From 10 June 1954 the Broadway and four other theatres
perfect match for a public only
would show every CinemaScope film coming into the Regent and Plaza, and later, the
interested in image, sound, seating
Capitol. The Herald 9 June 1954.
comfort and cleanliness.
When the Rivoli re-opened as a
the port, which caused a stir among the the neon sign, which had been reading
twin on Boxing Day 1968, with a
kids in the theatre.” HOTS for some time. Even now, that
policy of screening the best
So what did finish off the forlorn sign comes to mind every time I
international films, it re-asserted its
Broadway? Video was about to boom, read, If Its Hot It’s Hoyts. I also learned
premier place in public affection. Even
and as an environment in which to why the balcony was full. Hoyts
so, Hoyts strength in Hollywood
watch films, the Rivoli held the aces. management had invited the Mayor of
product gave another 11 years to the
The new reason to stay home for Camberwell, the Councillors and their
Broadway.
entertainment meant that Camberwell guests for a last show and supper.
The times were a’changin’. Gordon
could not support three screens. When it was all over, those comfortable
Onans recalls one such moment. “It
Brian Miller and I were both seats went to the Prince of Wales,
was a Saturday afternoon matinee Hobart. ★
present on the last night. We didn’t
screening of The Blue Max in about
know each other at the time and I
1968, when cinemas had basically
hadn’t realized the significance of the
given up on selecting special children’s
event. There may have been other
programs, yet parents remembered their
future CATHS members there too. The
old Saturday habit and were happy to
balcony was full. The lounge seats in
let their youngsters go along. The film
the stalls were very comfortable, but
included a nude scene or a sex scene.
strangely, they weren’t attached to the
The projectionist thought that this was
floor! The truth dawned. Now I knew
offensive for a children’s matinee, so
why no maintenance had been done on
during that scene he put his hand over
26 2005 CINEMARECORD