Page 26 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

We have under consideration
transferring our motion picture theatre
activities to other premises in this
(31)
town. Just what this meant was not
explained - perhaps a new, smaller
cinema to replace the Regent?
At some stage the Smiths had
purchased the freehold of the Regent,
with 400 shares each to Charles Smith
and his wife, and one share held by
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George Osbourne.
In 1972 Hoyts Albury closed,
leaving the Regent as Albury’s only
operating hardtop.
In 1975 Melbourne architect, Ron
Monsborough, lodged an application to
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add a new cinema to the Regent.
Around this time the Smith family had
sold a half interest in the theatre to
Village Theatres Ltd. This gave the
Top: First CinemaScope film at the Regent. The Border Morning Mail, Wed. 13 April
Regent access to first release product
1955
and also the finance to add a new
Above: Installing widescreen. The fringe on the Act Drop and the parted silvers can be (34)
screen and keep the theatre viable.
seen.
The NSW Fire Brigade advised in
November 1976 that alterations were
VistaVision opened at the Regent In August 1961 the Regent screened underway to convert the Regent into
(30)
with White Christmas on Monday, 28 Ben-Hur to capacity audiences. two cinemas.. (35) This was not quite
(27)
March 1955. The first CinemaScope (See CR 56) correct. An adjacent building in Dean
film, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, The Regent went onto restricted Street had been acquired, and Cinema 2
(28)
opened on April 14. screenings during the 1960s, once was constructed on the first floor of
The 1957 inspection report stated television had been introduced. The two that building. The Regent’s lounge
that the theatre was in excellent rival cinemas now struggled to fill foyer was extended through the wall as
condition, that the Brakell screen had their auditoriums. In 1968 George a common foyer for both screens. The
been installed in May 1955 (which was Osbourne, on behalf of Albury new cinema seated 280.
slightly incorrect, it was March) and Amusements, wrote to the Chief
(29)
that the theatre seated 1,374. Secretary:

27 Ibid. Mon 28 March 1955 28 Ibid. Wed 13 April 1955 29 State Records NSW, Op Cit. CS File, Inspection Report, 10 December 1957
30 The Film Weekly, 31 Aug 1961 31 State Records NSW, Op Cit. Osbourne to CS, 9 March 1968 32 Ibid. File note, undated
33 Ibid. Monsborough, 1975 34 Information from Mr Tony Smith, 1983 35 State Records NSW, Op Cit. NSWFB, 10 November 1976

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