Page 22 - CinemaRecord Cover Section # 45

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Master Projectionists

1. Bill Newman
By Clyde Simpson

Bill Newman was my step-father's
cousin, which gave me access to him
when he stayed at our home in Ivanhoe
Parade during his buying visits to the
Melbourne film exchanges.
Bill was the first projectionist at
Hoyts Ivanhoe, moving on after about
two years. I don’t know his next moves
along the career ladder, but he aimed
high.
In the late thirties Bill was chief
projectionist at the Metro Collins
Street, Melbourne which screened the
cream of MGM movies. He managed a
relatively large crew of six or seven
projection-room staff, covering two
shifts with at least three in the booth at
most sessions.
When he left the Metro Collins he
Entrance to Metro Collins Street in Bill Newman’s time (c.1942)
operated a series of mobile picture
shows in northern Victoria. After
working long hours at other jobs Cummings and Wilson model P6 junior incoming machine and switch the
including the Victorian Railways as a projectors. The relatively new, shiny sound at the same time. The power to
shunter, he later set up four successful, black machines, ran like clockwork the outgoing arc would be cut off due
stand-alone picture theatres at with DC rectifiers, generating a bright, to lack of power. Burning in new
Tallangatta, Eskdale, Dederang and flicker-free light. The installation had a carbon rods and making mirror
Corryong in the late 40s. vision change-over device mounted adjustments had to be done on the run,
He would tolerate me as his directly in front of both lenses. The unit as the new spool started. Bill called this
assistant projectionist and spool boy as was connected by cable and on the his “snatching the arc” routine.
we did the rounds of his circuit during second change-over cue, the operator Bill would break into song with
my Christmas holidays. would change the vision with an There’s No Business Like Show
Bill allowed me to play my 78 audible ‘snap,’ while power was Business, particularly when he had a
records at the start of the show. The switched to the new exciter lamp. smash like A Queen is Crowned. At the
music mix included The Runaway The most difficult projection plant conclusion of this highly successful
Rocking Horse and Portrait of a Flirt to operate was at Eskdale. A low power season, which included sessions for the
instrumentals. (Decca) These musical supply to the hall meant that Bill only schools in his area, he bundled together
treats came as a complete surprise to had enough power for one A.C. arc the box office takings, threw them into
the loyal movies fans who were not lamp at any given time. the air and rolled across the floor, the
sure about this entertainment additive The change-over sequence was notes floating down and the coins
before the house lights went out. achieved by starting the incoming rolling and jangling on top of him. ★
Bill's favourite facility was the machine's motor, opening the douser
Dederang site. It was a brand new and then, on the second change over
community hall, equipped with cue, Bill would strike the arc on the

22 2004 CINEMARECORD