Page 12 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

There was no further advertised
entertainment until Nov. 1924. No
doubt Mr. Small had inherited the
difficulties of the previous
management. On 21 November it was
announced that when the Soldiers’
Pictures started again, they would be
shown twice weekly, and on the next
Saturday, the star of the evening
would be Gloria Swanson.
Mr. Small battled on through 1925
with a plant that was becoming out of
date. Pictures were once a week in
winter then twice weekly from Show
Night. On 25 November the
Melbourne Cup was screened.
On 12 January 1926 an important
announcement: ‘The management of
the Soldiers' Pictures has just installed
a new cinematograph machine which
is much more modern than the one at
present with less flickering and a
clearer projection is obtained.’ In spite
of this, the shows reverted to once a
week from July 1926.
Another difficulty was overcome
in March 1927, ‘The management of
Country or city,
the Soldiers' Pictures announce that,
When you’re hot you’re hot!
despite restriction on the use of
electricity, pictures as usual will be
held on Saturday night. A new arc
lamp has been installed, and by
connection with the engine in J.H.
Bolden's establishment, the picture is
obtained. The star picture is to be The
Three Musketeers”.
Still, all was not plane sailing, for
on 18 Nov., ‘Mr. H. Small of the
Soldiers’ Pictures wishes to announce
that owing to some unforeseen hitch
in the forwarding arrangements in
regard to his films, the special feature,
The Sea Beast, which was to have The Premier Motor Garage became the Premier Pictures after the fire which destroyed
been shown on Wednesday, could not the Memorial Hall
be shown. Mr. Small was greatly
Mr. Small still worked in When the usual methods to
inconvenienced by the non-arrival of
association with Mr. Platt, and they extinguish the fire failed, the
this film, but was fortunately in
carried out their promise to improve occupants were forced out of the
possession of a splendid emergency
the accommodation with a limited cabin. They made their escape by
program which won the approval of a
number of cushioned seats, which ladder but, almost by the time they
large house.
could be reserved for a small fee. New reached the ground, the end of the
The Soldiers’ Pictures came under stars of the time included Gary wooden building was alight. In trying
new management again in Sept. 1929. Cooper and Joan Crawford. to extinguish the fire, Mr. Small
The company ‘hoped to improve the received burns to the arms and face.
class of pictures screened, starting Fire!!! The hall was completely burnt.
with a big double bill the following On Wednesday 19 March 1930 It was not long before a substitute
night. Strict punctuality will be patrons making their way to the pictures venue was found and on 22 July 1930,
observed. The new company hopes to were astonished to see the hall burst Premier Pictures had pleasure in
improve the way of seating into flames. The fire started in the bio- announcing that they had arranged for
accommodation and in other cabin, above the supper room, when the the screening of high -class picture
directions cater for greater comfort operators were testing a newly repaired programmes in the Premier Garage,
for patrons.’ machine by running a film through it, twice weekly, organised by Messrs
prior to the performance.
Blay and Tardrew. Additions to the

12 2002 CINEMARECORD