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HAPPENINGS by Fred Page

Since the last report in issue 4, we have had severe! interesting actiVities. The annual swapmeet in August was
well supported; so much so that the 1995 event will be held as a sepa111te activity instead of being squeezed in
between a business meeting and 'Spysmasher".

The Show and Tell Picture Show in September was popular as members took their treasures from their trunks
to provide the nucleus of our Centenary of Cinema exhibition next April. The residing memory of this event is
of a row of people on their knees soaking up the nostalgia of the print and photo exhibits. An enjoyable day was
capped off with Greham's Movie Medley which was well receiVed and much appreciated. Thanks Graham for
the trouble you took in assembling the program complete with CATH5-V title.

The entertainment at the October meeting was supplied by Stan Gunn and consisted of nostalgic films opening
with a grand colour version of 'God Save The King' which set the period of the show.
We then enjoyed vintage newsreels and coming attraction shorts followed by a 1931 travelogue of Melbourne,
advertising films of C.E.MIIIer, Removalists and the songs from the Wizard of oz. A great show Stan I This in
addition to "Spysmasher".

Then came the sixth of November. What a dayl The longest and most violent windstorms in Melbourne for
years. No trems in SWanston Street, the opening of the ABC South bank Centre and the huge Collins Street
Music Festival. Against all of this CATH5-V celebrated the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Capitol
Theatre with an Open Day. The numbers were small (compared to the Regent) but the visitors were just as
enthusiastic. The tour guides were enthusiastic and so was the ticket sellers. This all added up to a great day
for us and as a bonus we got three new members.

That wasn, the only bonus. One of our visitors showed us her photo album which featured her mother In stage
presentations at the Capitol in 1929. One of the pictures was of the Broadway Melody show presented as a
prelude to the film which, Incidently was advertised In our Capitol ClnemaRecord. Uke the 'Demtel' man says
'it gets better"; our visitor has lent us the album to have the pictures rephotogrephed What a bonus for the
ArchiVes! Other old photos of the Capitol under construction also tumed up as did old employees dying to tell
their stories.

After all that you ask "was It a financial success?'. Yesl Not a fortune but a comfortable profit. Thanks to all
those who participated and others who were there just for support. We had marvellous publicity for the Open
Day, especially from the ABC whose presenter Ranald McDonald interviewed Rod Cook around 9.30 the
Friday before while Fred Page was being interviewed at the same time on 3RPP·FM. The first announcement
was by Frenk Van St111ten in his 3LO Nostalgia progrem -thanks Frank, followed by severe! spot announce..
ments in the 3LO 'What's On' segment. 3UZ's Ron Cedee visited the Capitol and gave the Open Day gener-
ous publicity in his Golden Memories progrem. Several announcements were mede on 3AW and notices
appeared in the Herald-Sun and Age entertainment pages.

One week later (13 Nov '94) we were In full stride again starting with inspections of Brighton Bay cinemas 1 &
2. The Inspections were preceded by welcome cups of coffee and plenty of chatter prior to a visit to the joint
blo box. The auditoriums were then visited. Cinema 1 Is comfortable but stark; no drapes anywhere just
Irregular brickwork and a naked screen. Cinema 2 Is more conventional in the modem way with dreped walls
and travelling curtains of the same design. Behind the drapery can be seen the stencilled decoration of the
original 1925theatre. There even remains a remnant of the old silent screen on the back wall.
After more coffee and talk the group moved on to Harvey & Pamella Hutchisons for a barbecue lunch where we
were joined by st.ill more members and friends.

It was then to Harvey's theatrette • we must giVe it a name (what about the Elwood Wlntergarten?) - for Tom
and Jerry, Our Gang etc. followed by a most enjoyable aflemoon tea. While enjoying our lunch Peter O'Reilly
detoured to his home to produce presentation plaques for the Brighton Bay and the Capitol. The former was
presented to Stan Gunn and the latter will be given to the Capitol at the same time as arrangements will
hopefully put in place to run a second Open Day on the Moomba Monday. Many thanks to Stan, Harvey &
Pamella and to Peter for his swift work.