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and Hoyts’ plans for Regent theatres
did not initially stop with Brisbane, but
the Depression ended further grandiose
thinking.
The first time I set foot in this
cinema was well over three decades
ago; seeing even the most mundane
film was offset by an old-world
ambience impossible to forget, and
impossible to recreate in bricks and
mortar.
Brisbane attitudes also made this
Regent different. Liberal smoking
QUEENSLAND’S MONUMENT regulations permitted lighting up in the
TO MOVIES auditorium, actions outlawed in the
southern states. The pungent aroma of
nicotine permeated throughout the
By Ian Hanson
entire cinema, even when it was empty!
Planning, Construction and
Brisbane’s Regent was the last ‘Regent challenge’ held no attraction, a Fitting Out.
grand example of a commitment to a situation obvious to both men.
Land acquisitions for this theatre
specific style, built on a scale and with The directors of the joint venture,
an attention to detail guaranteed to win J.C. Williamson Ltd. and Hoyts Theatres were unusual. The address was 167
admiration. As such it qualifies as a Ltd., turned to another architect at the Queen Street, with the building to
subject for more than one history, but forefront of theatre architecture. Born in extend one block to Elizabeth Street.
apart from Ross Thorne’s entry in his 1899, Charles Neville Hollinshed was The frontage on Queen Street was
Cinemas In Australia Via USA, its articled in Brisbane in 1917, studied for narrow, about 12m.wide. This portion
merits have not been widely discussed, six months at the Architectural was purchased by Hoyts. Access to the
especially in the southern States. This Association, London and for four years larger site, the auditorium section, had
Regent is now unique; still a dedicated at Sydney University. On returning to to be negotiated with another owner,
cinema (albeit much changed), and still London, he worked for the firm Gibson James O’Neil Mayne. The result was a
run by Hoyts, the company that built it and Gordon and later for Charles Lamb 50-year lease on this land.
(also much changed.) It has a special in New York. The partnership deal saw several
fascination for me, and I claim some investors raise the 300,000 pounds
familiarity, after spending two years in ($600,000) to erect the building. Sir
it as an assistant projectionist. George Tallis, the Chairman of both
J.C.W. Ltd. and Hoyts, and F. W. Thring,
The Regent Brisbane is usually
viewed as a re-working of the Regent Joint Managing Director of Hoyts,
personally invested in the project.
in Melbourne, and this may be why it
The Architecture and Building
has received less attention. It was
Journal of Queensland shows plans of
however, more than a clone of its
the exterior in 1927. At this time the
southern cousin.
name carved in the stonework was
After studying cinema design in the
Capitol Theatre.
United States, Cedric Ballantyne
A.J. Dickinson of Brisbane was
applied his knowledge to the design of
awarded the building contract and
four Regents for Hoyts in Australia: C. N. Hollinshed. Image: Frank van Straten
South Yarra (a suburb of Melbourne), construction was announced in August
Hollinshed became an Associate of 1927. The project took nearly two years.
Ballarat (regional Victoria), Sydney and
the Royal Victorian Institute of
Adelaide, as well as some in New Although of mainly local materials,
Architects in 1923 and achieved
Zealand. this Regent was one of a group of
success with his first theatre
Hoyts’ Joint Managing Director, theatres beholden to the genre of the
commission, the Comedy in Melbourne
F. W. Thring was delighted with these American movie palace. Three
(1928) for J.C. W. Ltd. He followed
achievements and invited Ballantyne to engineers from the U.S.A. were
this with designs for three Regents:
accompany him on a world cinema tour brought out; two for construction and a
Fitzroy Melbourne (CR 43)
in 1927. It was on this trip that Thring third for the installation of a new
Palmerston North New Zealand and
visited the Capitol New York and technology - air conditioning. Hoyts
Brisbane.
decided that it would be the template for brought their electrical engineer Trevor
A project this size required
the Regent Melbourne. Ballantyne Hedberg from Melbourne, where he
collaborators, and Hollinshed turned to
worked hard to realize Thring’s dream, had worked on the complex lighting
Aaron E. Bolot (who would later
and it is possible that after the success of systems at the Regent, Capitol and the
design the Liberty in Bourke Street),
this commission, the prospect of another Palais St Kilda.
and Richard Gailey of Brisbane. JCW
12 2005 CINEMARECORD