Page 4 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

CINEMA AND
THEATRE expansion. Nothing stood out so he
C A T H S Letters settled for the local recognition of the

described the locality in 1954. The
HISTORICAL SOCIETY name Croydon Village that aptly
VICTORIA INC.
group of shops on Whitehorse Road
ABN 37 195 378 179 had uniformly adopted the name - The
Reg A0020747R
Village Baker, Village Hairdresser,
The aims of CATHS are: to record the Another Village Village Milk Bar etc. The subsequent
history of cinemas and theatres, and to The excellent article by Gerry
promote interest in theatre heritage and Kennedy on the Village Toorak use of Old English Script on the
architecture, and other related areas. company logo, stationery and signage
avoided the common mistake of linking
Patrons: the theatre to the Kirby family and the was also adopted from the style used on
Frank Van Straten OAM Peter Smith the Croydon shops. I have this
Elaine Marriner Philip Brady Village Theatres chain. Let me explanation in a handwritten letter sent
reinforce the lack of any connection
Committee: to me by Roc in 1999.
between the original Toorak theatre and
President: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 Later, Village theatres built the
the Kirby company.
Vice President: Peter Wolfenden 9744 2570 Trak on the site of the former Village
When Roc Kirby was building his
Secretary: Mike Trickett 5278 1986 Toorak and also took over the Plaza
first drive in with Bill Spencer and Ted
Treasurer: Barrie Wraith 9435 9785 Reservoir from Consolidated/Victoria
Alexander at Croydon, Roc was
★ Theatres and renamed it Cinema
looking for a name, something North. This was in partnership with
Archivist: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 impressive and one that suggested
Central Victoria Co-ordinator: Andrew Kelly who retired from Village
Fred Page 5444 0428 (Bendigo) two years ago.
Gippsland Co-ordinator: Hope this puts to rest the years of
Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 (Traralgon) guessing about a non-existent
Events Co-ordinator: connection.
Brian Miller 9557 7446
Film Buffs Group: David Kilderry, Reservoir
Mike Trickett 5278 1986
Publications Sales:
Garry Saunders 9812 7227
Membership Secretary: Peter O’Reilly
peteroreilly@iprimus.com.au
CinemaRecord Editor:
Ian Smith
ijsmith@impulse.net.au
CATHS website:
www.caths.org.au
Postal address:
PO Box 476, Bentleigh 3204.
★
Membership
Annual membership subscription is $35,
and members receive four copies of
CinemaRecord, notification of events,
and copies of the agenda and minutes
of all meetings. There is no joining fee.
Overseas subscribers: Please contact
CATHS Membership Secretary for rate.
Meetings
Meetings are held on the last Sunday of
February, April, June, August, October &
November. Sketch of the interior of the Theatre Royal Camperdown by the architect Warburton
Archive Pierre Knight. Image courtesy of Fed Page.
The Archive is located in the Prahran
Mechanics’ Institute, 140 High Street Theatre Royal Celebrations. films had a piano accompaniment.
Prahran, 9510 3393. The Archive will
The reference to the 75th Some of the most popular films were
be open between 9.30am and 1pm on
anniversary celebrations at the Theatre scenes of the town and its people in
the Saturday before each meeting (see
Royal Camperdown in the last issue the twenties, fifties and sixties.
above), and at other times by
prompted me to write. The town is proud of their theatre.
appointment with the archivist.
About 250 people enjoyed the re- The council has upgraded the balcony
Publications
enactment of opening night. The local seating and installed a new sound
Back issues of CinemaRecord, other
publications, CDs and videos are Theatre Group members took the parts system. The theatre screens on Fridays
available at meetings. Items are also of the mayor, architect and other with occasional charity shows on a
available by mail. Please contact Garry dignitaries and reprised the speeches Sunday.
Saunders on 9812 7227 for details. from 11 April 1928. The fire brigade Ray Watson, Camperdown.
band played stirringly and the silent
4 2002 CINEMARECORD