In the mid 1970s, Hoyts Cinema Centre in Bourke Street Melbourne (the first multi-screened cinema in Victoria) was my go-to place for new release movies.
In addition to three different screens, there was McClure’s Restaurant where on each table sat a black telephone with a direct line through to some “off-screen” waiter who took your order. The height of sophistication.
I would also pick up the latest copy of the Hoyts movie magazine filled with full page movie posters. A whole wall of my bedroom was devoted to these miniature movie-daybills, one of which featured an image of the Frankenstein castle flanked by Gene Wilder, his wild-eyed, wild-haired face all hysterical madness and Peter Boyle, his comic-horror, reanimated-corpse-face sublimely tipping his top hat.
