Page 11 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

O’Halloran Theatres, it traded as The
Regent and then as The Civic after
the new Regent was constructed. It
seated 1080 and the projection room
was under the rake of the circle. This
building was reminiscent of a large
suburban Melbourne cinema of the
thirties. The Regents of Swan Hill will
also be the subjects of a future article.
In Wycheproof (population 960)
the Art Deco Town Hall was built in
1938. The architects were Leith and
Bartlett. An attractive feature was the
curved staircase to the upstairs foyer.
Films have not been shown on a
regular basis since 1977, when it
traded as the Broadway Theatre
The Rex theatre at Charlton
(population 1400) is run by two
CATHS-V members, Steve Walsh and
Dennis Davis. Built in 1938 this
attractive theatre was featured in
CinemaRecord No 14. The Rex
originally seated 616 on two levels.
Two staircases lead from the foyer
directly into the front row of the
balcony. The projection room was
enlarged to accommodate two Phillips
35/70 mm projectors installed by the
previous owners. These large
machines came from Hoyts Esquire
Bourke Street, via Hoyts Altona
Drive-In to Charlton. Our hosts Top down:
provided the tour party with a great Town Hall/Broadway Wycheproof.
night of film entertainment and
refreshments. The former Plaza, Wagga, Wagga.
A smaller scale replica of the
Day 5: theatre’s octagonal ticket box is in
Site work began on The the Rex Charlton (inset).
Paramount Theatre, at 50 Nolan
Street Maryborough (population 7800) the Wills family for many years and
in 1927 but due to construction later Maryborough Theatres Pty Ltd.
problems the opening was delayed The Maryborough Town Hall hand side of the former stalls area
until 1929. This brick building has a (seating 600) was operated in leads to a second cinema built at right
cement rendered façade painted in association with The Paramount until angles across the old stalls. Cinema 2,
buff with brown trims. The entrance the sixties. The theatre was later which seats 96 opened at Easter 1999.
lobby features attractive floor tiles. A purchased by the local High School The owner is exploring the option of
central staircase leads directly to the and used for concerts and as a opening a third auditorium in the
cross aisle of the circle. The theatre basketball arena. former front stalls. The old stage area
seated 1123 patrons. The original The current exhibitor, John Medlin would again contain a screen and
projection room was on the ground re-opened the theatre in 1996 as a facilities for small live shows.
floor and occupied a large space that single screen. A false wall between The tour included a visit to
extended into the auditorium and circle and ceiling became the space for Sharpe’s Movie Museum, Echuca and
included several ante rooms. The the new screen. The former circle, now ‘drive past’ views of Dunnolly Town
former Kalee 2 projectors with their Cinema 1 seats 166. The colour Hall (1892) and the Wedderburn Town
Westrex arc lamps are still in situ. The scheme is maroon wall curtains, black Hall (1913) both former film venues.
auditorium had a sloped floor and a ceiling and blue seats. The projection This report is necessarily brief. It
small stage area. The spartan décor of room is equipped with a Bauer U3 cannot convey the sense of fun that is
the auditorium was relieved by four, machine, a modified lamp house and a so much a part of a CATHS-V tour. ★
square plaster murals now in storage Smart Deluxe sound system.
Compiled by Gerry Kennedy.
for future use. An access corridor along the left
Reporting by Brian Miller and others.
The Paramount was operated by Photos by Jim Barrand.

CINEMARECORD 2002 11