Page 19 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

My wife Heather and myself wanted for several years to build a theatrette but didn't really know how to go about
it - finally we put the bit between our teeth and decided to build on to the house and build a "proper" theatrette
based on a typical 1950's picture house and in 1979 "Cinema Newton" had its first screening. The projector
selected was a Bell and Howell Filmosound 16mm SPECIALIST model 8399 which remains reliable to the
present day; also an 8 mm and super 8, plus a 35 mm which could quickly be set up (Raycophone). The
lounge seating is from the long defunct "Electra" Theatre, Boronia, while the carpeting is from the original
"Cinema Capri", Shepparton, - they had a round foyer.

The Newton Bio-Box

Our Auditorium is squarish, the ports and exit sign are from the 'demolished "Astor", Shepparton. The front row
stall seats are from the "Star", the theatre where Tait Bros. first showed movies in Shepparton. The whole room
is also a theatrical museum with lamp houses and projectors from defunct theatres, in addition many "bits and
pieces" of theatrical history in paper and glass and many other mediums. The theatrette measures 27ft by 17ft,
so there is adequate room, and as for the colours, the walls are a subdued green, ceiling a subdued gold,
curtains are gold coloured, and the carpet a red.

Why the "Cinema Newton"? "Well" it was named by a friend who at the time had his own theatrette at Dandenong
and donated the lounge seats!

VALE -A Lovable Genius by Denzil Howson

In the last issue of "CINEMARECORD" there was an entertaining and informative account of Fred's "Crest"
Theatrette. Fred revealed that his exhibiting skills were greatly enhanced when he acquired a "SON" 9.5 Sound
Projector. The Pathescope "SON" was a modified Pathescope "GEM" - simple but effective 9.5mm silent
projector. But Fred could have upgraded to Sound Status if he had a relatively in-expensive "GEM" and a
"KLEESOUND".

The "KLEESOUND" was a metal chassis as a base containing an amplifier, and mounted on the top a rotary
stabiliser, and the usual scanning "train" - a photoelectric cell, an exciter lamp and an optical system. The
"GEM" owner had merely to place his projector on the "KLEESOUND", thread the film around the rotary
stabiliser, then on to the take-up spool, and Bingo!, he could project "talkies" in his own lounge room. The
quality of sound from a 9.5mm optical sound-track was not exactly digital "state of the art", but it was under-
standable, and you had an added bonus with the "GEM-KLEESOUND" combination. Because THE "GEM"
driving force was a simple series-wound motor with the speed controlled by a rheostat, you could run the thing