Page 9 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

Cinema in

DONALD

Rural towns kept up with their city cousins when it came to access to films.
When the Donald History and Natural History Group checked the files of the
local paper to research the story of films in their town, they tapped a silver lode.
The story would be typical of towns everywhere as a generation grows up
with the first moving pictures and their popularity seems unstoppable until….

otion pictures came to was a viewer, not a projector. The (Thomas Alva Edison’s Projectoscope
Donald in May 1897 when Cinematographe was the name used - stereopticon views with the
M the following advertisement by the Lumiere Brothers for their Micophonograph) merited a much
appeared in the Donald Times: combination camera/printer/ projector. better house than was the case. The
The device brought to Donald was majority of the animated pictures
probably a Lumiere Cinematagraphe, shown were much admired, and
St George’s Hall, Donald but who could blame an enterprising evoked hearty applause’.
showman for cashing in on the The nineties were a time of
TONIGHT TONIGHT
Edison name!) depression and drought; a time when
THE CINEMATOGRAPHE
Every Movement As In Real Life banks closed and many settlers in
Edison’s Greatest Invention In 1899 the paper announced: country areas were unable to make a
living from their small blocks. Moving
“The Wrestlers” ‘Kinematograph pictures are always
popular, and Donald people will be pictures were not a priority.
Miss Lizzie Watton plays a piano solo, pleased to learn that a panoramic In 1907 Tait's Bioscope showed a
plus other entertainers. display will be given in St. George’s story of the Kelly Gang and gave a
Hall on Saturday by Mr. J.T.K. White, return screening in 1908. By 1914,
23 different views tonight
assisted by Professor Westbrook, sensationalized events and fiction were
physiognomist. Moving actually as in the staples - White Slave Traffic shown
Prices 2/- and 1/-
life -- Edison’s Living theatre! – The in St. George's Hall, was an example.
W. Bartlett
1898 Melbourne Cup, the Hon. W.E. In the same venue the Donald Fire
Organiser Gladstone's funeral; the Morning Brigade, in conjunction with the
Alarm (a splendid scene); Trick Independent Picture Co., showed
Elephants; A Street Scene in Paris pictures, organised by Mr. W. Willey.
In June another showman came to (thousands of people moving on the In 1915 the Melba Picture Co.
town with Edison’s theatre, presented stage); the Umbrella Dance; The advertised fortnightly films for St.
by the American Cinematographic Derby (hundreds of people rush across George's Hall -- the first regular
Company. The program was: the course). Every movement as in showings in town. However, there
The Paris Lightning Express real life….’ were difficulties. Owing to rain on 22
The Return of the Fire Engine The assessment was,“The Jan. 1915 the Melba Picture Co.
The Savages Dance Kinematograph and the gramophone vehicle was unable to reach Donald.
The Streets of New York possessed by these gentlemen are The exhausted horses and men got as
exceptionally good instruments, of the far as Cope Cope after twelve hours on
Sackville Street, Dublin
latest patterns, and show scenes as in the road from St. Arnaud. (they had
The Boulevardes of Paris
real life and talk in a distinct manner travelled about 20 km.)
Admittance was 2/- (20c) for front
... Should these gentlemen again visit In December Donald reverted to
seats and 1/- (10c) back seats. The
Donald they will no doubt have a the Wednesday half-holiday. Pictures
doors opened at 8 o’clock.
much larger attendance.” on Saturdays commenced at 8.30 pm.
(Actually Edison’s device was the to allow workers time to arrive.
Later, praise for another show;
Kinetoscope, and until about 1897 it
‘The entertainment on Friday evening
CINEMARECORD 2002 9