Cinema And Theatre Historical Society: CinemaRecord

The Amazing Brenograph. Ever wondered how the clouds and stars moved across the upper surfaces of theatres such as the State, Regent Capitol and Palais? 'Projects Everything but the Motion Picture' was the company slogan. The US made BRENKERT EFFECTS MACHINE is explained here. A Les Tod photo adds a nice touch to this article.
Gerry Kennedy's article on the The Roxy Theatre and the Cinema War in Bingara will have you searching for the atlas. A small town of 1,236 people between Inverell and Narrabri, it had its share of highs and lows, with entrepreneurs going broke etc. The Roxy remains '.... an excellent example of Australian "angular" Art Decco with the interior being profusely decorated...' .
Cinerama at the HOYTS PLAZA, Collins Street. The brief life of this theatre's Cinerama system, from 1958 to 1970 is contrasted with some of its contemporary competitors, in this Eric White article. An eight month run with 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' brought the Plaza CINERAMA period to an end.
The REGENT Fitzroy. 'From Nitrate to Television to Rocky Horror' is the subtitle of this Ian Hanson article. Theatre Patrons using the wall of the neighbouring Moran and Cato general store, which backed on to the theatre, as a urinal, triggered some improvements in existing Health Department rules regarding lavatory space. A photo of a serious looking Edwin Bryer, manager of the Solway, later Joint Managing Director for Northern Theatres and Griffiths and Wests joins internal and external architectural photos from the Ian Hanson Collection.
The Article you have all been waiting for - The CATHS ADELAIDE TOUR. This extensive (it runs to eight pages including the excellent photos) article by Gerry Kennedy and Brian Millar, with special thanks to Colin Flint for the Adelaide end of the organising, describes the many venues visited, with the available history and technical data. The Theatre Organ Society of Australia ( SA ) Nostalgia Night was followed by a special CAPRI THEATRE access visit hosted by Ross Lang, Brian Pearson and Paul Fitzgerald. SA is a great place to visit. The welcome extended by the various hosts at each of the venues visited, was well received, in Victoria as well as South Australia.

Oral History Helps CATHS. Jim White presents a well rounded approach to capturing the history that exists in the memories of some of our older members. Using as example, his boyhood friend Brian Quigley, Jim shows how the fifty-five years of memories, incidents and experience can be passed on to future generations.
Bernie Halperin brings the Fuller Influence in Australia into focus in his article commencing with the aquisition of Brennans Ampitheatre at the top of Bourke Street. Detailing venues such as The Princess in Spring Street, The Bijou and Gaiety/Roxy in Bourke Street, The Imperial and Lyceum and the Palace/Apollo, this article is supported by several images of posters relevant to the day.
Cinerama at the Plaza is the title of this Ian Williams article. Ian has described some of his personal experiences at the Plaza as a followup to Eric White's Cinerama at the Plaza in our last issue. A listing of features films, nine in three projector configuration, and twelve using a single 70mm Projector accompanies this article together with their commencement dates and season lengths. It took 49 weeks to show Melburnians 'How the West was Won', but it took 59 weeks to show them that 'Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'.
The Eclipse, Port Melbourne. 'The People's Favourite' is the subtitle to this Noel Kerr piece. 25th October 1924 at 7.30pm and Noel's grandparents go to the movies. The new Eclipse had opened in Crockford Street with a six piece orchestra to 'fit and follow each picture with beautiful music symbolic to the action on the screen' Originally planned to seat 1555 persons, ventilation still proved a problem. An extensive article with a number of line drawings in support.
Through the Porthole. Peter Ricketts commences a series of articles by tracing his earliest childhood memories. The strong family association with the Fairfield Theatre, Fairfield, otherwise known as the 'tin shed' led to a very long association with the industry for Peter. What an amazing opening act, supported by his grandfather dressed in dinner suit, and black bow tie. Truly impressive. And more next issue.
The history of John Thiele's Balmoral Regent Theatre is a fine follow-up to the CATHS visit in 2003. It commenced with the salvage of some plasterwork from the renovated Regent Theatre in Rundle Street Adelaide during the major renovation into 38 shops and two theatres of the mid sixties. In 1980 an opportunity to recreate a 'Regent' came with the purchase of a house with carport and shed. Aquiring more original material in the way of marble slabs from the Adelaide Regent and a previously salvaged leadlight window from The Regent, South Yarra the project stayed true to the style of the marque. Ornate in every way, the Balmoral Regent now allows original bits and pieces from many Regent Theatres to live on, providing enjoyment for theatre buffs and organists. A number of John's fine photos enhance this article. A truly remarkale effort, in leafy Dernancourt.
*Cameron Hall details the 30-string CATHS visits to the Kino-Dendy and the Hoyts Cinema Centre in March 2004. This building history article is supported by Kevin Adams Photos, providing a current look the Collins Place and Bourke Street venues. Changing needs have seen the removal of such icons as the curtains in some screens and rejuvenation caused some signature colours to disappear. This Brian Miller organised tour was well received by CATHS members.
Postcards from Tasmania is a Ross King/Fred Page roundup of theatres following their independent tours of the island. Photos show some of the degradation of buildings following disuse. Others retain healthy facades, but still face developers renovation. Thanks for support from local CATHS member Ray Peck in Launceston, and Museum Development Officer, Sharon Verhulst.