Merrylands Hoyts Kinema

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Uploaded on: January 31, 2024

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Henry Alfred (Harry) Mainsbridge had able support in running the Parramatta Butterfly theater from his wife Harriett Ann Hatherden (Hattie) and their five children. (The family even had time to appear as extras in several local films directed by production pioneer John Francis (Jack) Gavin [1874-1938]). Their exhibition business boomed, and they soon opened Butterfly cinemas at other Sydney locations – Lewisham, Burwood, Fairfield, Merrylands and finally Liverpool. However, shortly before his death in 1924 the decision was made to off-load most of these venues. Harry’s widow moved to Liverpool where she retained the Butterfly there until 1937 (when new management renamed it the Regal). By then the family were established hoteliers in the district.