Page 16 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

The main foyer at this point was almost identical to the same area as the Regent in Melbourne except for two
very noticeable differences. A large marble staircase was located in the centre of the hall, and the foyer space
was slightly larger than its southern cousin. The actual cinema itself was very elaborate indeed. There was not
a surface in the whole theatre that had not been embellished by the architects. The proscenium opening was
very large, being 52 feet wide and 38 feet high. The seating appeared to be a type of Rattan, unique to this
theatre. Smoking was permitted here throughout the whole life of the Regent and the pungent aroma of nico-
tine never left the auditorium. Smoke from cigarettes effected the screen, and this required much higher
maintenance than usual.

Gold, ivory, and coffee brown, with burnished copper tones formed the colour scheme. The original actdrop
curtain in 1929 had been in gold brocade, and was replaced in 1954 with a very rich deep red velvet curtain. A
second set of stage curtians in a pale gold colour were also installed as well.

The bio-box contained three projectors. Two were G.Kalee model21 with B.T.H. carbon arc lamps with Westrex
sound heads. The third machine was a Cummins & Wilson model J, with a Peerless arc as its light source. D.C.
supply for the carbon arcs originated from motor generator sets in a room behind the box. There was also a
slide projector and two very powerful arc spots, which in the past had been used for the organ and orchestra
presentations, the latter having ceased in 1943 due to wartime conditions. The author also was at this theatre
as an assistant to the Chief projectionist, Eric Morris. Sadly it was closed down on August 27, 1978, and rebuilt
as a four-plex, but some vestiges of the original foyers still remain.

Before I was at the Regent I spent a year or so at the Paris theatre, which was located around the comer in
Albert Street. Starting out as a vaudeville house in 1914, the Paris was then known as the Empire and was a
member of the Fuller's chain, subsequently rebuilt as the St. James theatre in the 1930's. The reader will note
from the illustration that the auditorium was in the style of art deco. Most of its architecture was picked out in
different colours. In this guise the seating was 1256, later reduced to about 950.

Empire/St. James/Paris Theatre - Albert Street Brisbane

Refurbished and renamed the Paris theatre in 1963, this Hoyts controlled location was equipped tc, screen
70mm film. The bio box here used a pair of Philips "Norelco" DP70 projectors with Mole-Richardson arclamps.
Because of the extreme tempratures generated by these high powered lamp houses, water cooling had to be
installed. The D.C. power came from two Lincoln generators situated backstage.