Page 5 - untitled

for sale. No heritage classification applies although the rear wall still contains a directly painted-on silent screen.
complete with encircling murals. (National Trust ·'Trust News•· - June, 2000)

Burnley Theatre: The Burnley Theatre. 365 Swan Street, Richmond. has been classified by the Trust as of "signifi-
cant local interest". Used as a builders' hardware outlet for forty years, the Burnley is basically intact and worth an
inspection, despite the ravages of time. (National Trust "Trust News"- June, 2000)

Drive-Ins & Cinema Nostalgia on 3RRR: Film Buffs Forecast on 3RRR on Saturday 6th May presented a special on
Drive-Ins & Cinema Nostalgia. Presenter Paul Harris hosted guests David Kilderry and Denzil Howson who remi-
nisced about going to the movies in yesteryear (and today). Both CATHS members, David and Denzil each have
contributed significantly to Australia"s entertainment industry and recording of its heritage.
Denzil: Denzil has been a radio broadcaster, broadcast engineer, director, producer. writer and actor. His love of the
performing arts is shown by his work with the Cinema And Theatre Historical Society, the Theatre Organ So
ciety of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive. and he is a dedicated volunteer at the Performing Arts
Museum. Denzil sta1ted in country radio in the late 1940's, and worked with the Australian Broadcasting Com
mission. Crawford Productions, and was a pioneer of Australian television. He joined GTV Channel 9 in 1956
as Assistant Program Manager and was part of the team which produced their first transmission of television. ln
1999 The Green Room Awards Association for the Performing Arts Museum presented an Award to Denzil in
acknowledgement of his lifetime commitment to the performing arts and preservation of its traditions and
history. Denzil played some archival recordings of radio, and talked about the early days of television, and going
to the pictures.

David: Jn his 19 year career. David has worked for Greater Union, Hoyts and Village in their many city, suburban and
country cinemas, multiplexes and drive-ins. David is now National Technical Manager for Village Cinemas
Australia. David has a special passion for drive-in theatres and has recently launched his Drive-Ins Downunder
Website, which he spoke about on Film Buffs Forecast. David is a founding member of the Cinema And Theatre
Historical Society and has written many articles on cinema history. You can visit David's website at:
http://www.drive-insdownunder.corn.au

VETERAN THEATRE CONTINUES By Brian Miller

Having a few minutes to spare before joining CATHS-V members for a highly successful night at the Princess and the
"Sound of Music'·. 1 walked past a dimJy-lit Metro. Bourke Street where several staff work preparing for the nightly
disco.

Asking if 1 could see inside this survivor of an earlier age, I was ushered in downstairs by an employee wbo assured me
he really appreciated this old building. Now. mostly repainted in basic black. the stalls floor flattened and the stage and
proscenium gutted right to the back wall. a number of presentation platforms. intricate sound and lighting equipment
and massive steel conslrUctions make up the Metro of today.

Turning around. the two balconies, dress and upper circles. are still intact along with much of Henry White's Adam-style
plaster decorations. similar to the Princess and painted in a contrasting pale pink. The dress circle balcony has been
glassed-in to allow presentation of more intimate music in a cocktail-lounge setring.

Built by Fullers Theatres, and variously known since 1912 as the Amphitheatre. Palace, Apollo, St. James and Metro,
this landmark continues to entertain despite many remodel lings and policy changes. My own memories start with a 1939
pantomime. (Apollo), Judy Garland as ··Little Nellie Kelly"' (early Forties St. James). ··or. Zhivago'' (Sixties Metro) and
the then daring musical on Stage, ·'Hair"" (Seventies). The show still goes on.
r--------------.,

I Membership Drive I
I I
I ''200 M embers in 2000'' I
.. ______________ ..
I
I
Join up a friend now
I I

5