Page 20 - CR-96

A close-up of the ticket seller’s window at the Padua Brunswick showing prices c. 1940

The Regal in Hartwell and the Astor in St Kilda round central ticket box in the foyer. Architects
had central boxes on their tiled foyer floors. The for both theatres were H. Vivian Taylor &
Astor's box sat on a large star in the terrazzo Soilleux, which may explain the
floor. The box was removed in 1961 but the star similarities. Pages from the
is still very much part of the decor. opening programs for each
theatre contained similar
When the Padua in Brunswick opened in 1937 sketches of the foyers, with
it had a ticket box which was often described ladies attired in long evening
as a futuristic speed boat. It was put to good use dresses and the Camberwell contain
as a whale in a foyer display for Moby Dick. It men in dinner jackets. (I'm not ing the stubs
was eventually replaced by a candy bar. The sure that a retrospective glimpse of two tickets to Gone
Rivoli in Camberwell from 1940 also had a of these foyers would have With The Wind at the
actually shown them to look like St. James Theatre in Sydney.
An engagement souvenir 1940. that though.) Written in ink on the back of the tickets is
the notation "8/6/40. Engagement celebrated at
The Regent in Melbourne opened in 1929, and Theatre."
in keeping with its prestigious status had a small
ticket box at the foot of the stairs at street level Several others also have the names of movies
and a larger box office at the top of the stairs, pencilled on the backs, indicating memorable
where the seating plan could be consulted and nights, and date from the early 1940s, judging
seats booked for later screenings. Both of these by the movie titles.
are still in use at this magnificently restored
theatre.

The CATHS archive
has quite a number of
cinema tickets,
thanks to the
generosity of
members and the
public. My favourite
is a small envelope
from 1940, in well
worn condition,

20 CINEMARECORD # 96