Page 24 - CinemaRecord #79

The better the film, the better the stage show.
During the record 10-week run of The Best
Years of Our Lives in 1948, five grand pianos
rose from below stage on the orchestra platform.
Stan Bourne was now orchestra leader, and this
number included organ accompaniment by the
legendary Horace Weber. The organists now
best remembered at the Regent are Stanfield
Holliday (1952 -61), who transferred from the
Capitol, and Tony Fenelon (1964- 69), the last
Regent Orchestra.
in a great line of musicians.

On opening night at the Regent in 1929 an Three musicians made indelible impressions
orchestra of 35 and a ballet of 20 performers at the Capitol: Jan Rubini, Isador Goodman
were deployed. This was soon scaled back to and Horace Weber. Orchestra leader and
20 musicians – The Regent Concert Orchestra violinist Rubini was the Andre Rieu of his
- under the baton of Adelaide- born Will Cade, day, his musical skills matched by his gift for
who set the scene for a succession of popular showmanship.
Eddie Fitch. conductors, most notably Stan Porter, Daniel Prior to his first visit in 1929 Rubini made
Mas and, after the rebuild of 1945-47, Stan headlines in a Chicago medical experiment, in
Bourne, the last resident conductor. which the soothing notes of his violin substituted
These band and/or orchestra leaders gave for anaesthetic during an eye operation! In
Melburnians some of their best experiences of Australia he gave his services unstintingly to
popular and semi-classical music. charity functions, which only increased his
popularity.
Daniel Mas is rated by some as the stand-out
Regent orchestra leader. He was introduced to Jan Rubini made six visits to Australia, the
Melbourne in 1938 as the conductor previously last in 1946. In anticipation of his return to the
‘appearing with tango and rumba bands at Capitol in 1941, one report summarised his
fashionable night spots in London, Paris, the appeal - in a slightly catty tone - as, “A sense of
Tony Fenalon.
Riviera and Cairo’, (overseas talent was always theatre rare in musical conductors, introducing
given an exotic back-story). Melburnians read unexpected effects into his presentations – and
Geoff Robertson.
that he would be bringing ‘Spanish and Mexican at the appropriate moment lay down his baton,
gypsy music, light classical and popular step into the spotlight and tear out (sic) with
compositions to the Regent. Billed as ‘Daniel saccharine sweetness from the plaintive strings
Mas and the Regent Orpheans’ he made his first of his bow, Just a Little Love, Just a Little Kiss.
appearance in December 1938, in support of It says much for his way of ‘putting it over’ that
The Adventures of Robin Hood. instead of wearying of it, audiences clamoured
for more.”
Audiences at the Plaza beneath the Regent,
also enjoyed orchestral and organ interludes. Rubini made many interstate visits to play
Intervals were staggered to enable some in the top theatres. While he was away Bert
performers to do the double act. The smaller Howell and the Capitol Musicians provided the
venue required smaller ensembles, and Mas interludes. Bert Howell later transferred to the
performed as ‘Daniel Mas and the Plaza State.
Players’. The Plaza Wurlitzer was usually
played by the Regent’s current organist, but Isador Goodman came to Australia from South
some organists, such as Victor Riley, played Africa in 1929 with a king-size reputation as
only at the Plaza. a classical pianist. One English critic wrote
of his playing, “The best pianist in Australia
--- he plays the piano as most of the rest of us
breathe.” Another authority called him, “the
poet of the piano.” (5)

Ned Tyrell heading the Regent Orpheans. Isador Goodman.

24 2013 CINEM AREC ORD