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CA THS

Adelaide

Tour

9 – 15 October 2003
By Brian Miller & Gerry Kennedy

Twenty-eight members filled two
mini –coaches for CATHS first tour to
Adelaide. The trip was also an
opportunity to revisit some cinemas in
western Victoria. the maple-toned wood panelling of the
outer foyer.
The Adelaide experience was one of
pleasant surprises and contrasts in the The inner foyer is augmented with
way our western neighbours treat their hand-carved woodwork, appropriate
cinema history. Adelaide has been furniture and a grandfather clock dating
prepared to allow more of its older from 1941. Curved stairs lead direct to
suburban hardtops to survive as the circle seating. Originally a theatre
specialist single, or triple screens, thus of 1200 seats, it is now 580 plus six in
retaining most of their original features. the crying-room. The front stalls area
At the same time, this city of only 1.2 has been cleared for use as a function
million people has the largest multiplex area. Red velvet wall drapes, red draw
in the world! A third aspect of cinema curtains and vertical recessed wall light
history not seen in Melbourne, was the panels give a cosy feel. The building
purpose-built ‘Town Hall as Cinema.’ has been air-conditioned since 1984,
replacing foot warmers and wall
This is a selective account of a volunteers. For CATHS second visit,
shutters.
wonderful week that ignores all Organist Paul Fitzgerald played
chronology, and a few inspections, to Trumpet Voluntary and The More I See The projection room is fitted with
explore these issues. Some of the You, followed by a spirited solo from one Cinemeccanica -Strong x-60d
inspections and visits deserve a full our own organist, Barrie Wraith (above) Xenon with a water-cooled gate and a
article. These will appear in later Those foolish enough to walk into the Zeiss Ikon -strong-60c xenon. The
editions. ‘lungs’ of the organ while it was in full sound system is GUVT Dolby digital.
flight found the experience a test of the The platters are a converted Christie
GREAT SURVIVORS
ear-drums. auto-wind with 5 discs. The glass-slide
Capri Goodwood. Single screen projector is an automatic
This memorable visit was hosted by
On the first visit CATHS members Cinemeccanica ‘Gatling-gun,’ so called
TOSA (SA) Vice-President Ross Lang,
were part of the throng who came along for its revolving magazine and rat-a-tat-
assisted by Brian Pearson. The Society
for a ‘Nostalgia Night,’ an organ recital tat sound.
is to be congratulated on their
and Laurel and Hardy in Our Relations.
enterprise and hard work in maintaining The inspection was hosted by
Days later it was a top to bottom
a cinema deserving of its tag, 'the CATHS member Colin Flint and Bob
inspection, quizzing management and
show-case of the south'. Parr, who is both the theatre manager
organist on all aspects of running and
and Program Manager for Wallis
maintaining this unique venture. Chelsea (Lessee: Wallis Theatres)
Theatres.
Owned and operated by the Theatre Kensington Rd, Marryatville. Single
Organ Society of South Australia. screen.
The Capri is the only theatre in the Opened as the Princess in 1925, it
world with a view of the organ’s was re-modelled by architect F. A.
workings. installation. The console was Milne in Art Deco style for the
originally the 'slave’ from Melbourne’s Waterman Bros.* and re-opened as the
State Theatre, totally rebuilt and now Ozone in May 1941. The Chelsea is
controlling a ‘slave’ piano. The Adelaide's oldest operating cinema, and
assemblage of parts from various is now owned by the Burnside City
theatres is a story in itself. Council.
The Capri has a commendation The vertical neon on the rendered
from the Heritage Council but no facade complements vertically fluted
financial rewards came with it. Only panels. A double set of doors between
the manager and projectionist/s are the street and inner foyer immediately
paid, all front of house staff are suggests quality, which is confirmed by

CINEMARECORD 2004 25