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Sketch of view from the Crying Room

Midnight shows were a different
calibre of film altogether, but certainly
vivid: It Came From Outer Space,
Seventh Voyage of Sinbad and Phantom
of the Rue Morgue (nightmares for a
week after that!)
...the few horizontal Cinemas in large regional cities
often ran a daily matinee of the night
program. This meant that at Hoyts
panels of the auditorium Albury the only time for a children’s
matinee was Saturday morning. These
were all the more matinees were just like those in a city
suburban theatre - competitions, prizes,
striking and their lots of comics to swap, plus the serials
cartoons and feature.
curvature towards the My longest film queue was for a
Saturday afternoon matinee. My
stage suggested an grandmother took us to see South
Pacific and we stood in a line that
intimate embrace. stretched out of the theatre the length of
the block, and around the corner into
Dean Street, Albury’s main street. I
think everyone in town wanted to see
that film that afternoon.
The upstairs foyer was a smart My earliest recollections of films at
space, as might be expected, with an Hoyts were two CinemaScope releases The theatre staff repeated a trick
exit to a balcony on the side of the - The Robe and Three Coins In The that had proved popular at the Esquire
building where many patrons enjoyed a Fountain. Although only five or six I in Melbourne. Prior to the Bali Hai
smoke at Interval. still remember being intensely moved sequence a staff member released scent
The milk bar at street level was by the drama of The Robe, as though I into the air-conditioning system
always packed at Interval. It sold the was actually in the story. It is one of creating a total sensory experience - the
best milk shakes in Albury, as well as my all time favourites. That’s the power sight and sounds of paradise and the
Fantales, Minties, Jaffas and Smiths of films, if they hook you early they aroma of tropical plants and flowers.
Chips, but not popcorn. My father hold you forever. From the outset Hoyts had installed
always bought my sister and me Eta I have never seen anything more a floating screen in anticipation of stage
peanuts in a distinctive grease-proof majestic and powerful on the screen presentations. Artists of the calibre of
paper packet - delicious. than the 20th Century-Fox logo, Winifred Atwell performed there. My
We would walk home after a night CinemaScope version, coupled with High School Merit awards were given
at the pictures; it was only three blocks Alfred Newman’s soaring score. When there. The Albury City band gave
away. A mobile hot-dog stand always I think of Hoyts I always see this concerts there. It was a versatile
parked opposite the theatre to catch the image and hear the music. entertainment venue.
crowd coming out. It did good Other films I associate Hoyts opened a drive-in in
business, especially in winter. If we affectionately with Hoyts include The Wodonga in 1956, but it was the
didn't get hot dogs it would be fish and Big Country, The Diary of Anne Frank coming of television that slowly killed
chips from a Greek shop a bit further and On the Beach (given a special the theatre. Even I was no longer a
up the street. I still recall that delicious promotion in Albury). faithful patron, preferring to spend my
smell of the fish and spuds in the money on occasional visits to the
fryers. Having fish and chips so late at Regent.
night was a treat.

CINEMARECORD 2008 19