CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

Also known as the Regal, Blackburn. It is also listed in the Film Weekly: motion picture directory (1958/9-1961/2) that RH Toll ran another venue in Blackburn known as the Preview - seating capacity as 14.

"The Blackburn Hall was built in 1888 but wasn't opened as a picture theatre until 1929. As the then local newspaper, The Box Hill Reporter, reported in February of 1929: 'Blackburn is to make another step forward in her march of progress on Wednesday - as on that date motion pictures will be shown in the Blackburn Hall, and on every Wednesday and certain Saturdays hereafter. A special programme has been arranged for the opening night, featuring Jack Holt and Dorothy Revier in the Tigress and a Warner special A Race for Life...' " (Seccombe, p. 5)

Public Building File Notes (PB 1203A, Unit 228)

Inspections taken place on Sat May 28, 1949; Sept 15 1951, and Oct 8 1955 during public occupation and film screenings. Proprietor at the time noted as Mr R Toll, Fortuna Ave, Balwyn.
Inspections taken place Feb 6, 1963 and May 16, 1964 during public occupation and film screenings. Mr R Johnson noted as the proprietor. Known as the Regal Theatre.
Incident occured at the theatre May 15, 1964- gassing of children attending educational films. Police report included in PB file.

Newspaper article announces the demolition of the public hall to make way for a library. 'Council demolishes business', Truth April 24, 1965.

References
Cinema & Theatre Historical Society 1997, Cinema index : Melbourne cinemas, suburban cinemas, Victorian drive-ins. CATHS, Victoria.

Film Weekly. Film Weekly motion picture directory, Film Weekly, Sydney. 1946/47-1966/77

PROV, VPRS 7882/P1 Public Building Files, Unit 228, PB 1203A

Newspaper article announces the demolition of the public hall to make way for a library. 'Council demolishes business', Truth April 24, 1965

Seccombe, R. 1999 'Out in the sticks: early cinema in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs' CinemaRecord no. 24, pp. 4-10