Page 23 - CR31R.pdf

and the following year changed the
name to the Star Theatre. To mark
the occasion, 2 new post-war Western
Electric (Centrex) projectors and a
Westrex sound system were installed.
The carbon arc lamps were
Raycophone and there was also a
Hamilton & Baker slide machine. The
changeover system was supplied by
A.K.Pyers.
The projectionist was Harold
Thorpe who had first been part of
Quinn’s Travelling Show, then
projectionist for Doug Burns at the
Soldiers Hall. Doug Burns was born in
the Mansfield district at Kevington
and was a true pioneer in the film
world. His many talents included
mechanical engineering and early Star Cinema Auditorium. Photo by: Eddie Revell.
electrics. He contrived a device to add
sound to the old silent gear and Winslow being a favourite) and when you
became qualified as a projectionist in purchased your ticket, you also received a
1931. cricket badge with a different Australian
cricketer on each one!
ENTER EDWIN REVELL One night in 1951, I was out front
Joshua Revell, one of the original of the Star Theatre when I was
syndicate, was my Grandfather. I approached by Mr. Eric Wilby (the
recall at a very early age, going to The ticket seller) who offered me a
Regent (before the screening) with my position as a ticket collector for the
uncle to light the kerosene lamps that front stalls -for the night or
were used to illuminate the exit signs. permanently. …..I took the job
My earliest memories of going to the permanently! At this time, patrons
“pictures” in the mid 1940’s, was purchasing “front stalls” tickets had to
attending the Returned Soldiers Pictures go down the side lane to a door near
on Saturday nights (in preference to The the stage to enter the auditorium.
Regent). This was because they always In February 1952 I commenced as
screened a chapter of a serial (Don a trainee projectionist, travelling to

Redrawn by
Martin Powell.

CINEMARECORD 2002 23