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and a diesel generator installed to If a screen to rival the one at the
replace the petrol driven generator in Corio was to be fitted, it would have to
the basement. The architects for this be forward of the original proscenium,
work were the Geelong firm of Buchan, but the extreme length of the balcony
Laird and Buchan. would obscure the top of the screen for
Power failures in the 1950s were many rows of back stalls. This was
common and the auxillary diesel going to be an expensive conversion.
generator was often in use. The first ‘Scope screen at the
By the time Ian Patterson had the Regent was placed within the
job of starting it for test runs, it was proscenium with very little side
worn and cranky. Ian was a masking.
projectionist at the rival Corio, but the This situation was remedied after
two technical teams did alternating three months of work in 1957. The
stints at both theatres as a way to keep Regent recommenced twice-daily
tabs on maintenance issues. screenings in August 1957, with the
The first time Ian started the motor, announcement of 'magnificent
billowing black smoke from the exhaust alterations for the comfort and
pipe just above the verandah so alarmed convenience of patrons.’
passers-by that someone called the fire The alterations included a new
brigade. After that false alarm, Ian screen forward of the proscenium and
alerted the brigade by phone before pale blue drapes generously draping
5
every test run. portion of the side walls, with a gold
Starting the theatre heating system version of the same material across the
was even more scary. A gas boiler was screen. The theatre was also repainted
6
enclosed in a round tank behind the and the effect was sumptuous.
stage. An opening in the tank was the Ominously however, by this time
entry point to a huge gas ring around there were more advertisements for
the circumference. Ian would turn on television sets than film ads.
the gas, close his eyes and say a prayer The Regent presented its last
as he threw a lighted match into the regular program on Wednesday, 27 May
5
opening and waited for the 'BOOM.' 1964. It closed after 42 years with a
When the Corio theatre opened in forgettable double feature, The Secret
1937 the mantle of Geelong’s premier Mark of D’Artagnan and The Little
film venue passed to the newcomer. Prince and the Eight Headed Dragon.
Any economic effect wasn't At the time of closure three other
immediately obvious, war-time crowds hardtops and two drive-ins served
filled all the theatres. By the mid- Geelong. The entertainment pages of
1950s, when the Corio installed the Geelong Advertiser show that the
Cinemascope 16 months before the Regent was opened for short and
Regent, the mind-set of the rival irregular periods during the school
managements was obvious. Even the holidays, mainly operating as a matinee
down-market Plaza had Cinemascope overflow house. It was permanently
before the Regent, and the Geelong closed by 25 January 1965.
Theatre was well into VistaVision. Only one of the original hardtops
While the Geelong Theatre was survives; the former Geelong Theatre.
traditionally more of a Paramount This theatre was converted and
house, all of the theatres utilised the extended to form the Village Multiplex
main exchanges, with the Corio and (11 screens).
Regent sharing the A-list product. The Regent building still stands,
When the Corio was running the albeit in considerably modified form. In
‘Scope films from Fox, Warner Bros. 1965, the stairways were removed and
and MGM, the Regent utilised the an escalator installed. Externally, the
many standard-ratio films of the time, cornices were removed and the arch
including revivals, and British releases. window and façade covered with
Once it had wide-screen, new releases cement brick to give the building a
were more equally shared amongst the Top: Geelong Advertiser, Thurs. 17 Sept. ‘modern’ appearance. The skillion
theatres. 1956. roofline was always an unusual feature
The Regent opened to Cinemascope Below: Notice the crude appropriation of and can be clearly seen from the
in September 1956 and their ads the logo from the Regent, Collins Street. laneway along the side of the building.
boasted that it was ‘Cinemascope at its Possibly Hoyts threatened legal action Hardware retailer McEwans became
very best.’ It wasn’t, but to be fair, an because it was only used for three weeks. the occupier for a number of years. The
effective installation was to be a Geelong Advertiser 22 Aug. 1957. building is still a retail outlet. ★
complicated business.
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