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Hoyts’ confusion tactics. This is how the ads ran in
The Border Morning Mail, Saturday 1 May 1937, the
day the Regent reopened under new management

Sometime after taking control, Bordering the falls on either side are On 20-21August 1954, the Regent
Charles Smith and his son Geoffrey masses of rock formations lighted proudly presented the world renowned
decided to build a waterfall on the through crevices and floodlit on the Vienna Boys Choir. There was a special
outside first floor promenade. In 1953 a façade, with water trickling down in matinee for school children.
visit to the Regent was featured in a mild contrast to the powerful falling Preferential bookings by mail were
trade journal: A surprise came at mass in the centrepiece. Towering opened for what was expected to be a
(24)
interval when I was escorted through a above in one corner is a mediaeval sell-out season.
spacious and inviting refreshment bar castle complete with moat and bridge. In February 1955 the remodelled
area on the mezzanine level and out to The Smiths, father and son, shaped the milk bar was claimed to be the largest
the Roof Garden. Here are fountains entire structure with their own in the southern hemisphere. The
(19)
and gargoyles, gold fish (fat and frisky) hands… Even the stone frogs gushed existing milk bar, adjacent to the foyer
(20)
by the dozens in several pools, lamplit water. in Dean Street, was extended 80 feet
with coloured globes and floodlit to In 1949 Albury Police reported that around the corner into David Street
add an atmosphere of romance which they had… interviewed Mr Osbourne, through premises formerly occupied by
attracts young couples, wide-eyed manager of the Regent Theatre, and he a grocery store. (25)
children and appreciative patrons of all stated he made a mistake when he In August 1954 Hoyts Albury was
ages. Rustic benches are placed about quoted the number of seats in the equipped with CinemaScope, but the
the area, and on summer evenings the Theatre, the correct figures are stalls independent Regent had to wait longer.
terrace is a pleasant place to sip a cool 796 and gallery 578. (21) The Regent must have found it difficult
drink or smoke a cigarette. The real The 1951 inspection report gave a to combat the rival line-up of Fox
surprise comes when one turns the different seating capacity again, with CinemaScope attractions, but its turn
corner…and discovers the piece de 738 in the stalls and 547 in the finally came in March 1955. New
resistance. Here the Smiths really went gallery. (22) equipment worth £10,000 was
to town.
The 1952 report reverted to George announced as making it one of the most
At the far end they have erected a Osbourne’s 1949 capacity, but up-to-date cinemas in Albury, capable
waterfall, 42 feet high… it roars with mentioned that a new Brakell screen of showing VistaVision and
torrents of rushing water. People stare had been installed on 15 February CinemaScope. (26)
in wonderment at the exciting novelty. 1951. (23)

19 The Film Weekly, 23 July 1953 p28 20 Writer's observation, 1983 21 State Records NSW, Op Cit. CS, Albury Police, 16 January 1949
22 Ibid. Inspection Report, 3 Jan 1951 23 Ibid. Inspection Report, 1 Jan 1952 24 Border Morning Mail, Sat 31 July 1954 25 Ibid. Frid 25 Feb 1955
26 Ibid. Thurs 24 March 1955

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