Page 30 - CR31R.pdf

Years later this plant was acquired machines to see if they would be
Marvellous Memories
by Hadfield High School where I suitable for the Alexander.
CONTINUED installed it in their school theatre for The Mitcham Memorial Hall was
running 35mm- it traded as the in Whitehorse Rd. The small bio box
Hadfield Cinema, and was then run by was entered by a steep staircase inside
Ken Parfray as the “South Street the hall proper and the screen was
Cinema” for some years. lowered on a roller. The equipment:
An electronics teacher from RMIT, Precision Engineering projectors and
Ted Snell, got the job of setting up and soundheads with A.C arcs, was
running the A/V stuff at the newly considered satisfactory and were
established Alexander Theatre at removed from Mitcham to The
Monash University. They needed to Alexander shortly after. I remember the
equip the theatre with 35mm on a very bio box being absolutely tiny! During
limited budget and had got onto a plant WW2 l understand the projectionist
at Mitcham. I was asked to go out there was female – very unusual for the time.
Mitcham Memorial
one night to run film through the - Ross King. Essendon
★ From Terry McCulloch, Rosanna: ★ From Ron Lowe, Cheltenham: Eat Here 1/3; Take-Away 1/-.
Just one of life’s embarrassing It was about 1954 and I used to go The staff were going flat stick and
moments for this mild-mannered to the Mayfair Theatre, Gardenvale – at one stage a lady behind the counter
projectionist… which if was still in the same spot put a hamburger in a bag and flicked it
It was 1982 and the first screening today, would be deadset in the middle around to close it. Unfortunately, the
of “The Man From Snowy River” at of the Nepean Highway! From memory, bottom of the bag came unstuck and
the old Greensborough Twin the Tom Piper factory was opposite. the hamburger (with the lot) flew
Cinema (Vic). The floor staff reported Next door to the theatre was a through the air and plonked itself on
that the films director and entourage hamburger bar and after the show, a lot the counter directly in front of a man
were in attendance. of people would go to it. On this who, without even thinking about it,
Being the ever-diligent worker that particular evening there was a big said “No- mine’s to take-away”.
I am, I decided to get some chores crowd in there after “the pictures” and The whole crowd broke up with
done, one of which was changing some they were three and four deep along laughter. How l wish l had the repartee
advertising slides. The Greensborough the counter. There was a sign on the skills of that man!
Twin was unusual in that it was a joint back wall which said “Hamburgers: - Ron Lowe. Cheltenham
venture between Village and Hoyts
Theatres - with one auditorium each.
They shared a common bio-box and the RIDDLE of the REGAL
projectors were Bauer U4’s and a
Many thanks to those members who wrote in to confirm the
moveable U4C on castors, but l closing date of the Essendon Regal (CinemaRecord # 34).
digress… Now the slide units were
mounted on the back of the U4’s and ★ In regard to ★ Re: the confusion over the closing date
used the big old glass slides. the discussion on of the Essendon Regal, I believe it closed
the closing date on 26 November 1958. I have checked this
When you needed to change the of the Regal, with a former member of the Essendon
slide program, it was important to Essendon: Ron Historical Society and he was there that
switch off the sensor so that the Lambert wrote to night. It was also reported in The Herald
automation would not be set off. This I me today with the on 16/1/59 that it was being demolished
forgot – until I happened to look out of absolute, final, complete details- as he was and had closed three months ago.
the projection port and saw the curtains there on the last night, and it was his Les Tod. Sydney.NSW.
favourite cinema!
fully closed and the lights just coming He writes as follows:- In my ★ November 1958 for the closure of the
up – halfway through the feature! possession are the following documents- Essendon Regal would be correct. The
Quicker than you can lick your A. Copy of “Film Weekly” 16/10/58: fellow of whom Les Tod speaks is Ron
Lambert, with whom I have recently
lips, I hit the “curtain open” and Regal Theatre, Essendon, sold to an oil renewed contact. Ron lived two doors from
“lights down” buttons etc. -also company and will cease screening late us when I was growing up. He being some
dimming the bio lights, retreating well November. 20 years my senior. As a juvenile I had no
B. “Essendon Gazette”, 20/11/58: Details idea of Ron's interest in theatres and it was
back from the ports and definitely “Farewell Week” program.
shrinking in stature! only through meeting up with him at the
C. “Gazette” 27/11/58: Describes final Essendon Historical Society in the late 60's
- Terry McCulloch, Rosanna.
showing on the previous night. that I became aware of his interest. I gave
him a handbill from the Regal and in
D. “Melbourne Herald” 16/1/59: States
Regal is being demolished. return he gave me a seating plan. His
favourite theatre was the Regal and he did
E. Final show was “The Bolshoi Ballet”,
THEA TRE attend the last night although as he was on
a RANK-BEF release - and Ron obtained nightshift at the Post Office he could not
Rathdowne St, Carlton the theatre’s posters. stay till the end of the program. Ron's
F. The Regal closed on its birthday, details would be correct.
CATHS thanks Melbourne having opened as the “Southern Cross” on In the Film Weekly yearbooks both
26th November 1925. Essendon Plaza and Regal entries appear
IMAX for their generous
Kind Regards and Cheers, in 1958-9 issue but not the 59-60 issue.
support and assistance. Brian Miller. E. Brighton. Ross King. Essendon
30 2002 CINEMARECORD