Page 24 - CinemaRecord #86

Ground Floor

First Floor

However, the proscenium furnishings were 644 ‘tip-up’ seats mounted on skids in the stalls, Frank O’Halloran’s lease expired in early
impressive with wine-coloured crushed velour 96 gold ‘Moquette” chairs in the Lounge, and 1947, and Council advertised for public
side hangings and a main curtain of mirror 160 gold corduroy velvet ‘tip-up’ upholstered tender. The new lease was awarded to Mr.
velvet operated by an electric motor. The stage seats in the Dress Circle. Seats in the upstairs W. Rogers and Mr. Ron Horsburgh, who
is flanked by decorative grill vents which duct lounge had to be booked, and many residents advertised the venue as the Warrack
air from the plenum heating and cooling system had their permanent spots. Bookings could be Theatre. They also screened at Minyip and
for the comfort of patrons. made at various shops in the town over the Bealah halls on weekends. O’Halloran kept
years. the “Regent” name going by opening an
The auditorium walls contain simple, ‘open-air’ venue in Devereux Street on the
‘moderne’ flowing plaster features and another There was no smoking in the auditorium but it still vacant site of the former Melba Hall in
striking characteristic is that, although there are was a requirement that someone from the fire competition, but had to remove the
no windows, natural light emanates from a brigade attend every film screenings. They were prominent neon sign from the front of the
ceiling skylight. (This apparently presented not allocated seats – but frequently sat with the Town Hall with his loss of the lease. By this
problems in matinee sessions of the cinema, and ushers after the lights dimmed, and received time O’Halloran Theatres company, based
was covered by sacks on the roof, but has now remuneration, according to the ‘locals’. in Swan Hill, had grown to be a country
been painted over). exhibition ‘chain’, trading the Regent name
The Town Hall was also a popular venue for in the towns of Swan Hill, Nhill, Kerang,
The Warracknabeal Town Hall was completed the many weddings, balls and cabarets held by Ararat, Nyah West as well as
at the end of 1939, though not officially opened the district’s various organizations from the Warracknabeal, with two further cinemas at
until 23 April 1940.
1940s until the 1970s. The seats in the stalls Balranald and Deniliquin in NSW.
were moveable. The Shire implemented a ban
The Regent Theatre, operated by Frank By c. 1950 (and possibly earlier) it became
O’Halloran opened in early 1940. A large on cabaret balls being held in the hall until apparent that the town was unable to support
Regent neon sign was already attached 1966, with alcohol consumption being a
contentious issue in this rural community two large cinemas, with the resulting
vertically to the front of the Town Hall. The competition for ‘product’ instigating the
total seating capacity was up to 900, comprising during the 1950s and early 1960s.
operators of the Warrack to sell their

24 CINEMARECORD # 86