Page 15 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

It was also a dance studio and venue
for wedding receptions, including
Edweena’s and mine (RC), which we
celebrated there in 1974. By then Hoyts
had sold both the Regent Thornbury
and the Circle to the same investment
company.
The Regent building survives as a
reception centre, but the Circle was
demolished in 1976 and replaced with
an arcade of shops called Circle
Arcade. It’s a poor substitute for what
was something special. In 1984 Hoyts
closed their Preston Drive-in, but the
Hoyts’ name lives on in the district at
the Northlands multiplex.
Acknowledgments:
Fred Page provided comments about
growing up in Preston and the district’s
theatres. Maurice Scott knew the
running of the theatre first-hand.

The Lounge foyer. The simple décor was also the current furnishing style for new References:
homes. Public Records Office:
7882P1 PB File 8659 Unit 1017
Building, June 24 1939
The Circle ran initially as a week “You know unauthorized persons are
Ross Thorne. Cinemas Of Australia via
four theatre, (later week three) so its not permitted in the bio cabin.” “I
USA. Pages 121-123
appeal was for those locals content to know, but she came up for a feed.”
wait rather than bus or walk down to When asked to show his registration
the Regent. In his time Maurice Scott card the assistant replied that it had run
At A Glance:
had the feeling that it wasn’t a big out.
HOYTS CIRCLE PRESTON
earner for Hoyts; it had a loyal From 20 October 1960 screenings at 499 High Street, corner Clinch Avenue.
following, but Maurice didn’t see it as a the Circle (and at the Park, Albert
theatre of special interest to the Park, one of H.V. Taylor’s fine designs) Built for: W.H. Braithwaite Pty. Ltd.,
company. In the early 1950s Ranch were restricted to Thursday, Friday and Tanners
Night on a Wednesday was used to Saturday, and a Saturday matinee. This Built by: F. L. Walton
boost attendances. The opening of was better than the fate of the Rialto Architects: Cowper, Murphy and
Hoyts Preston Drive-In in 1954 Kew (CR 56), which from the same Appleford
(actually in the neighbouring suburb of date, was scaled back to Saturday only.
Reservoir), less than four km away, Economies were now such that on a Lessee: Hoyts Theatres Ltd.
must have put a crimp in business. routine evening inspection in February (Hoyts ownership from
1951)
During the boom years of the 1940s 1961 the Health Department inspector
the size of the Circle sometimes led to reported that he ‘could not find a Opened: Sat. 26 November 1938
over-selling of tickets. One manager’s responsible person in charge’.
Seating: 925 Stadium style
written response to a ‘please explain’ The last show was on Monday 1
was a model of the concise: ‘My January 1962. At least the Circle went First program: Gold Is Where You Find
assistant allowed his discretion to out with a strong one: Spencer Tracy in It. George Brent Claude
Rains, Olivia de Havilland
overcome his judgement.’ Inherit The Wind. Hoyts then offered Little Miss Thoroughbred
By the 1960s the once solid sense the building for lease. It did have a life Ann Sheridan
of professionalism and discipline as an entertainment venue, albeit a
CinemaScope: Thurs.16 December, 1954
instilled in all cinema staff was short one. Dance Promotions Ltd., the
The Robe
beginning to fray. An example from the company that now controlled the
Circle is indicative of an industry-wide former Maling Canterbury, installed a Reduced From Saturday 20
malaise. On a spot-check visit to the flat floor, painted the ceiling black and screenings: October 1960
projection room, a Health Department re-opened it as the Circle Ballroom. Last program: Monday 1 Jan. 1962
inspector found three people there, one They included 16mm films as part of Inherit The Wind
of them the girlfriend of the assistant the night’s entertainment for occupants Spencer Tracy
operator. A parcel of fish and chips was of the rear seats. These were not the
Status Now: Demolished 1976.
on top of the rectifier. original lounge seats.
Replaced by Circle
Arcade

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