Page 28 - CinemaRecord #86

by Richard Twentyman

The Regent Facade c 1980

he provincial City of Colac is located on the In 1874, a brick and freestone Methodist Church cinema industry, as he already controlled
TPrinces Highway, some 160 km south-west was built on the site. In 1924, it was sold for Geelong’s Regent and West Park Theatres as
of Melbourne, in the centre of an agricultural and £5500, the church was demolished, and building well as the Mordialloc Paramount Theatre, the
timber producing area, and has a current of the new, inter-war Free Classical style, latter being renovated and renamed the Regent
population of approximately 20,700. Paramount Theatre commenced. in 1938.

On Monday 23 March 1925, Rosina McDonald An announcement in the Sun News-Pictorial of The Colac Paramount was re-modelled in 1938
and J. McDonald, co-owners of 5 Chelsea St., 18 September 1924 reported that "Residents of to designs by a Geelong Architect, J. Gordon
Oakleigh, applied for permission to open a new Colac and District will be pleased to learn that a Williams, of the National Mutual Building,
theatre, the Paramount, at 23 Murray Street splendid, modern, up-to-the-last-minute Picture Malop Street, Geelong, and re-named the Regent.
Colac. (J. McDonald was also cited in RootsWeb Palace and Theatre will shortly be erected on the At a cost of £25,000, the interior and entrance
as being a Colac Estate Agent and Dealer.) old Methodist Church site in Murray Street. The lobby were re-decorated, new sound equipment
registered name of this Theatre will be THE installed, and an organ was provided for
PARAMOUNT, and patrons are assured that no entertainment. The main window on the street
possible expense will be spared by the Owner and façade was replaced with an old fashioned stained
Director of this structure to make it undoubtedly glass window, bearing the Regent Theatre “R”
the finest building that has ever been erected in motif. The original stage proscenium was
the thriving town of Colac. Every modern retained, but decorative plaster grilles were added
equipment that will tend to increase the to conceal sound equipment on each side of the
enjoyment and comfort of patrons will be opening. The Colac Traders’ Association
installed, and every mechanical device necessary organised frequent community sing-a-longs to
to produce pictures on the finest scale will be raise money for the poor. A further remodelling
added thereto." took place in 1939, when the seating capacity was
reduced to 1315.
The advertisement went on to announce that
"Only the finest films will be displayed - a On Wednesday 2 August 1944, well-known
contract already having been signed with Hoyts singer Marjorie Lawrence (who was born in the
of Melbourne, which secures a first release of all nearby township of Deans Marsh) gave a public
their celebrated productions. Consequently, concert in the Regent, supported by Raymond
patrons will be enabled to see the latest and best Lambert at the piano. Prior to her attending the
almost as soon as city folk. Other contracts with theatre for rehearsals, her husband (Dr. Thomas
leading film houses have also been completed.

The Department of Health approved the opening
of the theatre in March 1925, with a reported
seating capacity of 1786. Prices were 2/2d for
dress circle, and 11½d for stalls seating. The first
film, The Thief of Baghdad, played to a packed
house.
In 1931, ownership passed to Regent Theatre Pty.
Ltd. per T. J. Fowler, of Little Malop Street,
Geelong. This was his fourth venture into the

28 CINEMARECORD # 86