Page 28 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

Above: Side elevation showing the scale
of the roof garden, before construction of
the waterfall. Ross Thorne
Right: The derelict waterfall. J.Stevens

Happily, I was given the green light -
and took as many pictures as time
allowed while all the lights were on,
using a camera loaned for the purpose
by John Dallinger, manager of a local
photographic shop.
I was grateful for the opportunity;
to my knowledge there had never been
a truly extensive photo record of the
Regent. I viewed it as an important
project; if this theatre was about to be
transformed, at least my photo
chronicle would serve as the historic
reference.
Fortunately the idea for a split
auditorium never eventuated. In 1977 a
second theatre with 280 seats was built
next door on the east side, which
became Cinema 2. The original upstairs
became Cinema 1. With these changes
the theatre became The Cinema
Centre.
I was working at the Regent the
year all this happened. Fortunately I
had started there when it was still a
unified cinema with stalls and balcony.
I saw the old and new come together
for a different age of movie
entertainment - new policies for new
patrons. It was a big thing at the time to
have two cinemas together. Albury was
growing up, or at least it was changing.
During my 18 years at the Regent I
was able to meet many people
connected with the building and its
past. By questioning these people, by
seeking earlier articles and pictures, I
was able to assemble a portfolio of
reference material on a building worthy
of a proud city.

28 2009 CINEMARECORD