Page 4 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Happenings by Graham Smythe

Jeff's motto 'Victoria on the Move' is one that certainly could be ascribed to CATHS-V, because the last few
weeks have been moving with two significantly important events.

Australian Cinematographe Centenary Celebration - I'm sure Carl Hertz would have turned in his grave if he
knew how we upstaged him on the 22/8/96, just 100 years to the day of his show at the old Melbourne Opera
House. The night might have been wet and drizzly, but the PROGRESS THEATRE really came alive with the
usual CATHS-V excitement and I detected a House "Full" sign on the ticket box.
Special nights don't just happen but are the result of special people doing special things. Various local
papers carried publicity, it was in the Age EG and the Progress Program leaflet, and Fred Page was even
interviewed on 3LO. Then there were the workers. Edwina and her band of helpers preparing the nibbles,
sandwiches, and supper with chicken and champagne, all in a miniature kitchen. Also the Souvenir Program
and tickets by Martin Powell . And thanks to the Bow Tie Brigade and to the Usherettes.
Contributing much to the evening were what we may class as 'The Entertainers" who carried the show
along. Bruce Ardley with his Organ set the tone and played tirelessly for the whole evening. Rod How as
Manager opened the night and welcomed all to the Progress. But what can we say about Denzil Howson -even
if he did lose his papers. A great compere and thanks again. A surprise was the great voice of Zak Brown
accompanied by Bruce, thanks for your beautiful renditions. Then came the Trivia Quiz with prizes given and
the two Lolly Girls at Intermission.
The Program really befitted the occasion, first with vintage material via video projection, then the film
projectors took over. An early Popeye had everybody (and I mean everybody) singing the Popeye Song, then
the excitement of a Saturday Serial. An occasional upside down frame flash or a waltzing frameline deterred
nobody and we revelled in glimpses of everything from Mickey, Chaplin, Newsreels, Commercials up to some
Dolby Surround and including the Centenary of Cinema Trailer.
The main feature after Interval, 'Two Seats in the Circle", produced by our members Roger and Barbara
Seccombe, was received with great acclaim and capped off a most unusual and interesting program. At this
conclusion, the audience were invited to the foyer for a chicken and champagne supper, thus bringing to an end
a memorable night to celebrate 100 years of the moving picture not only for Melbourne, but for Australia.
The only sad thing was that we missed our 'Mr. Theatres', Alan Wind~ey, laid aside due to heart surgery
-so many asked about you Alan, now fully recovered and are joining in our activities again. Pity this was a one-
off night, it was such a success and a great event- sorry I won't be around for the next one in 2096.

The Charlton - St. Arnaud Weekend Convention - The afternoon of Saturday 7th September saw some 26 of
our group progressively arrive at the Charlton Motel, having left the Melbourne rain far behind. After settling in
to our comfortable units, some even had spas, all gathered at the "Cinema Charlton" at 4.15pm to meet our
owner-host Geoff Edwards and Joan. Needless to say, as usual we took over the theatre which had originally
opened in October 1938 as the Rex Theatre seating 600 but now 480. Geoff is the projectionist and kindly
outlined the history of the theatre. Great interest was shown in the two Phillips Dual 70-35mm Carbon Arc
Projectors and the 16mm Zenon Bauer. For our afternoon session we were treated to some 35 and 16mm short
selections, following which a CATHS-V Certificate was presented.
Dinner in the motel restaurant was at a specially set long table with adjacent bar service - the Charlton
did us very well- as evidenced by the happy group so characteristic of CATHS-V.
Down again to the Cinema to get into the ticket queue for the evening show which started at 8.15pm. We
shared the Circle with other adult patrons whilst the noisy peanut/jaffas younger set took over the stalls. We
were treated to viewing Robert Redford and Michelle Pfieffer in 'Up Close and Personal', and our CATHS-V
Presentation Certificate was already displayed in the entrance foyer.

Next morning Sunday 8th we made our own way down the 43km to St. Arnaud where at 1 Oam we were met by
Keith McDonald at the Town Hall. Here we were joined by Ella Ebery, Historian and Editor of the local paper;
who both conducted our party through the Town Hall, firstly to the original hall of 1869, and then through to the
1930's-newer section which served as the Town Hall Pictures. After interviews and photos a presentation was
made of a CATHS-V framed certificate. Ella then took us to the Mechanics lnstitl!te built 1882, one of the oldest
in Victoria. All of the St. Arnaud venues are in use by various film or theatre groups.

After making our own arrangements for a picnic lunch it was 15km down the Sunraysia to 'Sylverley', the home
of Keith and Norma McDonald. So much to see on the McDonald farm and interests were variously divided
between the Doll Museum and the Treasures in the Equipment Sheds - where ever you turned there was
something to grab your interest.
Norma kindly provided afternoon tea in the sunshine and then it was into Keith's Theatrette to admire the
equipment and take in the show. His 35mm 'We Must Have Music' from MGM had everyone in and was