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Regent Theatre 101-107 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA

Regent Theatre: ‘most glamorous picture palace in Australia’ by Bob Byrne on August 20, 2015 in Uncategorized (Adelaide Remember When)

When the new Regent Theatre opened in Rundle Street Adelaide on the night of the 29th of June 1928 it was hailed as “the most glamorous and beautiful picture palace in Australia”.

Writing in The Advertiser that day, journalist Valmai Stephens described it as “far more than a mere place of amusement, for there is an air of dignity and nobility and sense of space about it.

“There is magnificence here, but nothing garish, and the pictures and statuary are such as might well be secured for the nation. In the lobby downstairs, with its marble pavement, the huge mural paintings of the centaurs give a hint of the charm and beauty of the rest of the place, but they would hardly prepare anyone for the rare beauty of the foyers; Louis Quinze furniture, gilded and elaborate, gives the right touch of opulence”.

Over a four page spread in the newspaper, the Regent is described in an advertisement as “Rearing aloft into the skyline, a Temple – dedicated to the People as a lasting tribute of the greatness of the motion picture – youngest, yet most progressive of the arts of the world”. Such was the excitement generated by the opening of the grand new theatre that 5CL, the local ABC radio station at that time, broadcast a live description on the wireless of the theatre and the crowds attending the opening.

The following day the paper reported that “Half of Adelaide appeared to be at the opening of the Regent Theatre last night to see and to be seen”.

The inaugural program included two full-length feature films, MGM’s Flesh and the Devil and 20th Century Fox’s The Gay Retreat. There was a 16-piece orchestra playing that night as the Wurlitzer organ, purchased for the theatre, wasn’t ready and was installed about three months later. The magnificent auditorium also boasted it was one of the first public buildings in the city to be airconditioned - Bob Byrne

Pamela Cossich (Adelaide Remember When) - What a fabulous feeling when one would get all dressed up to go to The Regent. Remember those beautiful usherettes, with their teased hair, they would be standing at the top of the beautiful staircase to take your tickets and the another usherette would gracefully escort you to your seats. It was a grand place.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -