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Letters

ABN 37 195 378 179
Reg A0020747R Lady Projectionist at the
Paragon.
The aims of CATHS are: to record the
history of cinemas and theatres, and to Mention was made of the lady
promote interest in theatre heritage and projectionist at the Paragon,
architecture, and other related areas. Queenstown, Tas. (CinemaRecord 43).
Patrons: I met her in 1969, along with her
Frank Van Straten OAM Peter Smith husband, who managed the theatre for
Elaine Marriner Philip Brady
Western Theatres which was part of the
Committee: Star Theatre Group before the Star
President: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 circuit was taken-over by Tasmanian
Vice President: Peter Wolfenden 9744 2570 Drive-In Theatre Holdings. The
Secretary: Mike Trickett 5278 1986 Paragon still operated under Western
Treasurer: Barrie Wraith 9435 9785 Theatres until it closed in about 1981.
★ Bill and Lila Higgins came to
Archivist: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 Queenstown ‘temporarily’ in the sixties, Unlike Australians, the Filipinos are
Central Victoria Co-ordinator: and stayed on to manage the theatre un-emotional about these closures,
Fred Page 5444 0428 (Bendigo) until 1973-74. Lila did most of the accepting them with a shrug of the
Gippsland Co-ordinator: projection. I owe a lot to these lovely shoulders.
Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 (Traralgon)
Events Co-ordinator: people who taught me the projection I remember these theatres as
Brian Miller 9557 7446 trade while I was still at high school. impressive, softly lit, well proportioned
Film Buffs Group: When Lil decided to retire I took and well managed Movie Houses. The
Mike Trickett 5278 1986 over the projection at age 16, and Zamboanga scene is generated by local
Publications Sales: economic conditions and the
Garry Saunders 9812 7227 obtained my projectionist’s licence at 17.
Membership Secretary: Peter O’Reilly When Bill and Lila moved to Burnie, willingness of the people to embrace the
peteroreilly@iprimus.com.au another person and myself took over latest ideas all the time. (The cell phone
CinemaRecord Editor: running the Paragon. I left in 1975 to is endemic - even the kids use them all
Ian Smith work for Tas. Drive-in Theatre Holdings. the time - the latest models too!)
ijsmith@impulse.net.au Zamboanga has a large shopping
CATHS website: I'm still in the industry here in Victoria,
www.caths.org.au having worked for Village and now with mall with a six cinema complex called
Postal address: Readings, and still in projection. Mindpro (pronounced Meendpro). So
PO Box 476, Bentleigh 3204. Bill’s poor health was the main this somewhat isolated city has not
★ reason they left the theatre and he died escaped the world-wide trend. People
soon after the move. Lil died a few just "go to the Mall" for a social
Membership
years later. I have fond memories of occasion, rather than seek out
Annual membership subscription is $35,
and members receive four copies of this couple. individual theatres, eating houses, and
CinemaRecord, notification of events, Stephen Jones, Geelong shops.
and copies of the agenda and minutes Don Kennedy, Zamboanga
of all meetings. There is no joining fee. Manila Loses Its Big Theatres. State Secrets
Overseas subscribers: Please contact This note is to let you know how
CATHS Membership Secretary for rate. Philippine cinemas have changed. In When it closed in 1962, the State
Meetings Manila, most of the mighty American- was the last major building in
Meetings are held on the last Sunday of type movie houses have been razed. Melbourne to be powered by direct
February, April, June, August, October & The Avenue, State, Galaxy, and current. (D.C.) Every piece of electrical
November. Roxan have gone, replaced by machinery there was designed for D.C.
Archive multiplexes of 10-18 screens run in Underneath the projection room were
The Archive is located in the Prahran much the same way as our own. The two big alternators, (D.C. motors
Mechanics’ Institute, 140 High Street Odeon and Robern still operate, but in driving alternating current generators)
Prahran, 9510 3393. The Archive will a sad, neglected state. to supply AC current to the amplifiers
be open between 9.30am and 1pm on Here in Zamboanga, a city about the and projector motors and any other
the Saturday before each meeting (see equipment that would not operate on
size of Newcastle, six major movie-
above), and at other times by D.C. supply.
houses have closed. Two of these, the
appointment with the archivist.
Orion and the Ultra, were constructed The power station in Spencer Street
Publications
when I was last here eight years ago. had two D.C. generators running 24
Back issues of CinemaRecord, other
hours a day, seven days a week, just to
publications, CDs and videos are
supply the State, as under the
available at meetings. Items are also
Electricity Supply Act of the time,
available by mail. Please contact Garry
Saunders on 9812 7227 for details.
4 2004 CINEMARECORD