Page 26 - CinemaRecord #79

Embassy Theatre auditorium.

Features enjoyed on the night included a The picture-theatre industry was enjoying a
cartoon The Lost Chick and Switzerland the boom, even in a small town like Gladstone, so
Beautiful followed by Caravan, a full-length in 1939 Clapham and Upton decided to form
movie starring Charles Boyer and Loretta a partnership to build a new theatre on Tank
Opening night of the new Embassy Theatre Young. Street in an area on the edge of the central
on 2 November 1935 was a grand affair, with business district of town called The Valley.
invited guests partaking of a full program of After Intermission, patrons enjoyed a They named the new theatre the Regent, a
entertainment on a scale not seen before in performance of “Vene Vidi Vici” by the two-level venue of 600 seats including a small
Gladstone. Embassy Orchestra, which was followed by balcony of 70.
The Spectacle Maker dubbed a musical fantasy
The evening commenced with the overture film in glorious technicolour. It closed shortly after due to a lack of patronage,
New Colonial by the Embassy Orchestra, The main feature of the evening was the film as Upton continued to show pictures at the
consisting of Conductor, Mr Lionel Johnston, Bright Lights starring Joe E. Brown and Ann Town Hall, and Clapham at the Embassy,
Pianist, Miss Dell Mellefont, Saxophones, Dvorak. but re-opened in 1942 when the Embassy was
Messrs J. J. Honan and Mr L. Sweeney, damaged by fire.
Trumpet, Mr L. Mylne, Violins, Messrs Jack The opening was described lavishly in the
Busteed and V. Royston, and Drums, Mr J. local newspaper of the time, the Gladstone Until the Embassy was rebuilt, Stan Clapman
Urry. Observer: “Brilliant lighting of modern design, moved his show to the Regent. When
God Save the King was then played, followed glorious furnishings, and delicately beautiful Clapham’s Embassy was re-built, Upton
by Hearst Metrotone News. After a fanfare colourings, all combined to delight the eye purchased Clapham’s interest in the Regent,
of trumpets, the Mayor, Mr Edward Breslin, in the lounge entrance, whilst the luxuriously surrendered his lease of the Town Hall show
conducted the official opening address. appointed dress-circle and wonderful stage and moved his business permanently to the
effects completed what is probably the best Regent Theatre.
theatre north of Brisbane.”
Regent Theatre with original central entrance.

26 2013 CINEM AREC ORD