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Letters

Australia
ABN 37 195 378 179 The story of the Regent Brisbane At the time I thought the Regent
Reg A0020747R (CR 49) generated more letters than was the best cinema in Brisbane, if not
any other subject. They have been Australia. It would have been great to
The aims of CATHS are: to record the edited to avoid repetition. see a large stage show in such grand
history of cinemas and theatres, and to surroundings. What a pity going to the
promote interest in theatre heritage and pictures is not the same these days.
architecture, and other related areas. REGENT BRISBANE
Patrons: Congratulations to Ian Hanson for Barry Freeman, Morphett Vale (SA)
Frank Van Straten OAM Peter Smith OAM the excellent article on the Regent. As a The article on the Regent Brisbane
Elaine Marriner Philip Brady Brisbane-born and bred film buff, the
was a knockout. When I was a tertiary
Committee: Regent will always be my favourite student in Brisbane in the early 1960s I
President: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 picture palace. It was a true palace of used to go to the pictures now and then.
Vice President: Peter Wolfenden 9744 2570 dreams, and any film (good or bad) was Coming from the country I found the
Secretary: Mike Trickett 5278 1986 an event when viewed there. Ian's Regent a bit overpowering, only
Treasurer: Barrie Wraith 9435 9785 article demonstrated this with the knowing plain, small interiors.
★ wonderful photos. I am thankful that I As I understand it, the Regent
can count myself as one of the last
Archivist: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 organ has been brought back to
Central Victoria Co-ordinator: generation to really appreciate the Queensland to go into the Museum of
Fred Page 5444 0428 (Bendigo) original Regent.
Gippsland Co-ordinator: Your readers may not be aware of Modern Art at South Bank.
Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 (Traralgon) According to the website of Theatre
Events Co-ordinator: an off-screen drama which occurred in Organs of Australia, the opening of the
Brian Miller 9557 7446 the Regent’s grand foyer in 1962. Regent had to be postponed for a few
Film Buffs Group: Five gunshots were fired as a jail days. When the organ was being put
Mike Trickett 5278 1986 escapee was spotted and chased by
Publications Sales: plain-clothes detectives. About half- through its paces, it was noticed that
Garry Saunders 9812 7227 plaster started to flake from the ceiling.
Membership Secretary: Peter O’Reilly way along, on the southern side of the Powerful instrument!
See postal address grand foyer a bullet hole is still clearly Kevin Walters, Toowoomba (Qld.)
CinemaRecord Editor: visible.
Ian Smith On the day I received my copy it The Regent Brisbane was always
iansmith8@bigpond.com my favourite, even after getting to
CATHS website: was reported in The Courier-Mail that
www.caths.org.au Hoyts was to relinquish its Brisbane know them all. I lived in Toowoomba,
Postal address: cinema connections after 76 years, a and when I joined the Army I
PO Box 476, Bentleigh 3204. connection which began with the remember going to the Regent for the
★ construction of the Regent. The films and sing-along for the troops,
Membership ‘Greater Union Regent’ just doesn't with an hour long show with the
Annual membership subscription is $40, sound right to those of us who have wonderful WurliTzer rising out of the
(overseas subscribers $50) and loving memories of this once mighty pit playing show tunes, and then the
members receive four copies of cinema. fabulous orchestra coming up later on.
CinemaRecord, notification of events, Jim White, Alderley (Qld). These were wonderful times.
and copies of the agenda and minutes The entrance and main foyer still
Congratulations to Ian Hansen for
of all meetings. There is no joining fee. exist, still with impressive mirrors,
Meetings his splendid article on Brisbane’s drapery and chandeliers and of course
Meetings are held on the last Sunday of Regent Theatre and the many the two-level marble staircase. Only
February, April, June, August, October & photographs which accompanied it. problem is, the top of the stairs now
November. I lived in Brisbane during the late brings you to the ‘plastic-box’ style
Archive 1950s and went to the Regent many cinemas.
The Archive is located in the Prahran times to see the latest films and puff on The downstairs Cinema One is
Mechanics’ Institute, 140 High Street a cigarette whilst doing so. A special supposed to be a replica of the old
Prahran, 9510 3393. The Archive will treat was to see and hear the organ
be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm being played before the session started Regent, but you need a vivid
on the Saturday before each meeting and at interval. imagination to see this.
(see above), and at other times by I was at the Farewell to the Regent
During the school holidays the
appointment with the archivist. white baby grand piano was also used. concert. Before this occurred, the stage
Publications had been renovated and new dressing
It would rise up from the orchestra pit
Back issues of CinemaRecord, other rooms built in a bid to keep the theatre
publications, CDs and videos are and the keys would be move as if by for live performance.
magic, under the control of the organist
available at meetings. Items are also That last night concert was a sell-
available by mail. Please contact Garry on the organ console. out, the first time the theatre had been
Saunders on 9812 7227 for details. packed to the ceiling for years.
Gavin Drummond, Brisbane (Qld.)
4 2006 CINEMARECORD