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A First For Victoria:

THE
R EGEN T

THEATRE

GEELONG
By Mike Trickett.

On the inner and safe side of the hotel. The theatre block was of
narrow entrance to Port Philip Bay, the somewhat elongated proportions. Having
port of Geelong, and the city which a relatively small frontage, it presented a
1
grew up around it were important to challenge to the architects.
the development of Melbourne and the However, whatever the
agriculture of Victoria.Geelong quickly topographical limitations of the site, the
became the second largest city in the exterior would command attention. Following the opening ceremonies,
State. Architects for the project were Mr. Jack Brownlee, a local baritone,
With its interests closely linked to Henry Eli White and Thomas Gurney. sang several songs to the
those of the capital, less than 50 miles White was a highly respected architect, accompaniment of an eight-piece
(83 km.) away, it was natural that responsible for a number of well-loved orchestra conducted by Mr. Peter Jones.
travelling picture showmen would be theatres in New Zealand. After interval came the first picture
quickly followed into town by those At this stage in his career White had program. The Geelong Advertiser
prepared to set up permanent facilities. completed alterations to the Princess reported, ‘The pictures shown were The
This pattern was widespread. Most Theatre Melbourne, and was working, Toreador, a colorful story featuring
communities had at least a hall to use more or less simultaneously, on major Clyde Cook and Fools Paradise, Cecil
and any significant town established renovations to the Athenaeum theatre, B. DeMille’s stupendous Paramount
outdoor and indoor permanent theatres. Melbourne and the Geelong production which held the audience in a
These buildings varied from the plain commission. remarkable manner.’
and utilitarian to the opulent; the latter His biggest theatre works in Sydney
in cities such as Geelong, Ballarat and (the St. James and State) and
Bendigo. The Regent, Geelong was an Melbourne (the Palais Pictures,St
excellent example of the second kind. Kilda) were still ahead. During this
The Geelong Regent had a special Melbourne (and Geelong) period, White
significance to theatre construction in maintained an office in the Auditorium
Victoria. It introduced the name Regent theatre building in Collins Street.
and its connotation as the king of The Regent was built for T.J. and
theatres, well before the first Melbourne A.E. Fowler, through a proprietary
example, the Regent, South Yarra. company - Regent Theatre Pty Ltd.
Construction of Geelong’s Regent Construction was by local builder
commenced in 1920. At this time, Thomas Quayle. Electrical installations
Geelong had a population of were by Oliver J. Nilsen and Co., a
approximately 30,000 and was serviced name later associated with a radio
by four theatres - the Geelong, the station in Melbourne.
Mechanics (later to become the Plaza), The project, originally costed at
the Strand (formerly the Sun), and the £30,000 ($60,000), came in at some
out-door West Park. £5,000 over budget. The design
The Geelong Theatre was the provided for 1,575 patrons.
premier venue of its day, built in a The Regent was opened on 11
commanding position on one of the December 1922. The Mayor, Alderman
highest and widest streets. It was about J.C. King, performed the opening
three years old when the Regent began ceremony in the presence of local Geelong Advertiser, 11 Dec. 1922
to rise. dignitaries and representatives of the
The Regent was built one block various Melbourne film exchanges. The Before there was a Regent theatre,
lower than the Geelong, in a line with Geelong Advertiser of the following day Regent Theatre Pty. Ltd. operated the
it, at 118 Little Malop Street, on the reported Mr. Vaughan C. Marshall, Mechanics and Geelong West’s West
corner of Union Street, facing what was president of the Victorian Cinematograph Park open-air theatre. The West Park
then the Market Square. The site was Exhibitors’Association as saying; continued to operate until after World
closer to the largest and most popular “Geelong is today the proud possessor of War II, sharing programs with the
shops, and next door to a prominent the finest picture theatre in Australasia.” 2 Regent. The management’s stated

20 2006 CINEMARECORD