Page 35 - CinemaRecord #76C

As National Theatres fell into financial
difficulties, the Regal was later taken over
by several independent exhibitors, who
included a Mr. Lee Jones, who then sold it
to the Waterman Brothers. In Mr. Jones' day
the theatre screened Wednesday nights as well
as a Saturday matinee and night. The usherette
uniform was a red skirt, red waistcoat with
chinese-style collar and gold buttons, teamed
with a blue jacket.

Some of the front of house staff at this time
included Muriel Sneesby (from Wasleys, a
cashier), Clarrie Causby and his wife Edie
Causby, and Jean Donaldson (nee Collins an
usherette). It is said that a Shirley Temple film Regal Theatre proscenium with “crown” motifs at top left and right.
was so popular that patrons were turned away.

When Waterman’s took over the Regal they The screening policy was increased to six
re-decorated and put rough plaster-cast on the nights and a Saturday children's matinee.
interior foyer walls, but no major alterations Hoyts employed a full time manager, as well
were done to the existing building through its as a projectionist, cashier and cleaner. In the
life as a cinema. They did however rename mid 1950s they installed CinemaScope and
it the Ozone as part of their Waterman’s such titles as The Robe, River of No Return,
Ozone circuit. Later on Hoyts bought the Ben Hur were screened.
Watermans' circuit and the theatre was then
promoted as Hoyts Ozone Theatre. It is felt that this was the heyday of the
cinema with a seating capacity of 619
patrons on its single floor as well as ticket
prices at 4 shillings and 6 pence for the
Dress-Circle. Tickets had to be obtained
no later than Thursday for Saturday night
as the theatre was filled almost every
Saturday night.

The screening policy was nightly at 7.30
p.m., with a Monday and Tuesday double
feature program and a Ranch Night on
Wednesdays. On Thursday to Saturday
there was a double feature program with a
matinee for children at 1.30 p.m., with the
ever popular Tom & Jerry cartoon and the
daring adventures of Tom Mix or Batman
and Robin or such in serial form.

Gawler Regal as the “Ozone” in the 1960s.

CINEM AREC ORD 2012 35