Great news re the possibility of a ‘revived’ Unitd Artists Theatre! I saw it on a visit with a convention of the Theatre Historial Society a few years ago. The Gothic style foyer was the inspiration for a simlar style for the Regent Theatre Melbourne. (The auditorium of the Regent copied from Loew’s CapitolbTheatre New York.) I haave lived my life in close association with the theatre, firstly in front of house management in the fifties. After its closure in 1970, I was one of a handfull that formed the Save The Reent Theatre Committee and won the fight to prevent its demolition for a 650 feet office & hotel tower. The theatre re-opened in 1996 after being closed for 26 years 1 month and 14 days!
Pleae visit my web page www.regenttheatremelbourne.com.
It should come up first line, click for the main page ‘The Ghost That Won’t Lie Down’ AND sign my guest book! Email me @ .au or
Interesting comments from all above, but some corrections! Correct date of the fire in 1945, Apr. 29th; reopened on Dec 19th 1947, not 16th. The cause of the fire from a careless smoker was one of two theories about how the fire started. There was a solitary watchman on duty who discovered the blaze on his mandatory 1am round of the building. More likely cause, an electrical fuse above the circle ceiling as there was no apparent fire on the watchman’s 12am round!. The main campaign to save the theatre was initiated by the ‘Save The Regent Theatre Committee’ of which I was a founding member. I was also able to liase with the developers throughout the restoration; and was able to contribute info. to the book published for the theatres reopening in 1996. Whilst the main (original) foyer is described as Spanish Gothic, the auditorium was said to be in the ‘Empire Style’ – whatever that is! I was always led to believe that it was ‘Italian Renaiscence’. But the Plaza downstairs had the full Spanish treatment. Also, perhaps the seating capacity at the top could be shown as of now, 2100, in lieu of its former capacity as noted in the comments?
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.
Great news re the possibility of a ‘revived’ Unitd Artists Theatre! I saw it on a visit with a convention of the Theatre Historial Society a few years ago. The Gothic style foyer was the inspiration for a simlar style for the Regent Theatre Melbourne. (The auditorium of the Regent copied from Loew’s CapitolbTheatre New York.) I haave lived my life in close association with the theatre, firstly in front of house management in the fifties. After its closure in 1970, I was one of a handfull that formed the Save The Reent Theatre Committee and won the fight to prevent its demolition for a 650 feet office & hotel tower. The theatre re-opened in 1996 after being closed for 26 years 1 month and 14 days! Pleae visit my web page www.regenttheatremelbourne.com. It should come up first line, click for the main page ‘The Ghost That Won’t Lie Down’ AND sign my guest book! Email me @ .au or
Interesting comments from all above, but some corrections! Correct date of the fire in 1945, Apr. 29th; reopened on Dec 19th 1947, not 16th. The cause of the fire from a careless smoker was one of two theories about how the fire started. There was a solitary watchman on duty who discovered the blaze on his mandatory 1am round of the building. More likely cause, an electrical fuse above the circle ceiling as there was no apparent fire on the watchman’s 12am round!. The main campaign to save the theatre was initiated by the ‘Save The Regent Theatre Committee’ of which I was a founding member. I was also able to liase with the developers throughout the restoration; and was able to contribute info. to the book published for the theatres reopening in 1996. Whilst the main (original) foyer is described as Spanish Gothic, the auditorium was said to be in the ‘Empire Style’ – whatever that is! I was always led to believe that it was ‘Italian Renaiscence’. But the Plaza downstairs had the full Spanish treatment. Also, perhaps the seating capacity at the top could be shown as of now, 2100, in lieu of its former capacity as noted in the comments?
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.
I was in the Capitol during my first visit to NYC in 1962. Sadly it had been ‘Cineramarised’, and the original architecture covered up. I didn’t realize till years later that the auditorium of our Regent Theatre Melbourne was a copy of the Capitol! I have lived with the Regent for most of my life, helping to save it from demolition. When I can get a photo put up, you will see ‘the Capitol’! Only difference, after the 1945 fire, the proscenium was squared off. I am always happy to correspond with anybody re this theatre and more info or additional photos.