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34. REGAL THEATRE • HARTWELL by Rod How

The most significant event for countries of the British Empire in 1937 was the coronation of King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) on 12 May, 1937.

In honour of this event Hoyts Theatres Ltd and Junction Theatre Co. Pty. Ltd. named the new theatre they had
built at Hartwell, The Regal. The Regal was a two level theatre seating 1174 in the auditorium with accommo-
dation for up to another 17 in the nursery (crying room). It was officially opened the Saturday before the
coronation on 8 May, 1937.
The opening program reflected the film sourcing of the parent companies with "Ramona" (20th Century Fox-
Hoyts) and "Everybody Dance" (Garment British-Mcleish). The joint owners of the theatre were Hoyts Thea-
tres Pty. Ltd. and Junction Theatres Pty. Ltd. Mr. Robert Mcleish was managing director of Hartwell Theatres
Pty. Ltd. and Junction Theatres Pty. Ltd.

Initial advertising of programs was in the Hoyts Suburban directory but this was very short lived. The advertis-
ing generally appeared in the Independent or Regional columns, although Hoyts programs continued to be
screened for many years.

The style of the building was pure art deco and was built on a triangular site at the corner of Toorak Road and
Camberwell Road. The architects were H. Vivian Taylor, Soilleux and Overend and was one of three designed
by them featuring unusual ticket boxes. The Regal's was along the lines of an American Indian wig-wam; the
others being the Padua's (Brunswick) speed boat and the Windsor's baiL

The builders were T.R & L. Cockram, who constructed of nine of H. Vivian Taylors theatre buildings. These
were The Windsor, Hoyts Albury, The Park, The Padua, Ozone Mildura, The Essendon, Hoyts Deluxe and The
Rivoli.

Externally the design resembled an ocean liner with the theatre's name set in large letters intersecting five
horizontal parallel lines. A vertical neon sign in the Hoyts style dominated the front. Upon entering the building
the striking feature was the spacious foyer with circular patterns in both floor and ceiling, the latter being tiered
and concealing the indirect lighting. The circle foyer ceiling was similar to the entrance foyers but the floor was
carpeted and several settees furnished the space.
Within the auditorium, the horizontal lines of the exterior were replicated and the space each side of the
proscenium featured emphasised horizontal treatment above the exit doors. Further similar design occurred as
huge "steps" which formed the stage front wall. Adorning the proscenium were velour velvet curtains of
textured design imported from Vienna, selected to enhance light patterns played upon them.

At the other end of the auditorium, at stalls levels, was the commodious crying room, and an unusual feature
was an indoor bicycle park which complimented the adjacent car park. The theatre was centrally heated and
ventilated and an added attraction, which was later repeated in Mcleish's new Rivoli Theatre, was the roof
garden.

The Attorney-General Mr. Menzies was present, and referred to the remarkable development of the district and
the modern features of the theatre. On behalf of the management he handed to Sister Pilkington, of the
Childrens Hospital, a cheque for £21 ($42), being a donation to the hospital funds. He said "the management
decided to forego the dispensing of liquid refreshments after the opening ceremony and donate the sum to the
hoispital".

Mr. Menzies also presented Sister Pilkington with six tickets which were given by the actor Tyrone Power, who
sent a cable message asking that the first tickets were to be purchased by him and should be given to nurses
of the Childrens Hospital. Strangely, the new Regal Theatre was built on the site occupied for the previous 90
years by the Tyrone Hotel.

The mayor of Camberwell, declaring the theatre open, contrasted the ultra-modern structure and its equipment
with the old draughty halls and flickering pictures of a few years ago.

References: Regal opening program souvenir and various Melbourne newspapers.

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