Regent Theatre, Sydney: In Old Chicago Premiere

A Movietone News newsreel story about the premiere of the Oscar-winning In Old Chicago (Henry King, USA, 1937) at the Regent Theatre in Sydney on 21 May 1938.

Guests at the premiere include the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Mr Norman Nock and Mrs Nock, and NSW Premier Mr BSB Stevens.

In Old Chicago was nominated for six Oscars, includng Best Picture. Robert D Webb won the prize for Assistant Director and Alice Brady was named Best Supporting Actress.

Brady had appeared in five other films in 1937. She played the mother of three sons (actors Tyrone Power, Don Ameche and Tom Brown) and the owner of the cow that accidentally started the great Chicago fire of 1871.

The Regent Theatre in George St, Sydney was the premier movie palace for Hoyts in Sydney. It opened in 1928 and hosted many blockbuster films and notable premieres into the 1970s. During the 1970s and '80s, it became predominantly a site for live entertainment.

When owners in the 1980s looked to redevelop the site, the government placed a heritage order on it. Despite considerable protests, the theatre was later approved for demolition and demolished in 1990. 

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen