Page 24 - CinemaRecord Cover Section # 45
P. 24
2. Alan M. Hawthan
By Ross King
This photo of Alan M.
Hawthan with his
projection equipment was
probably taken in his own
studio in 1917. A
projectionist/showman in
Lilydale, Tasmania, Mr.
Hawthan’s work as a
projectionist included
stints at the Princess
Theatre and Albert Hall,
Launceston. He created
pen and ink slides which
he showed at the National
Launceston. Mr. Hawthan
was also a photographer,
bootmaker, and painter.
The projector appears
to be an English New
Biograph “Dreadnought.”
The master blade on the
projector shutter appears
to be the standard 90
degrees, with two smaller
“flicker” blades which
would allow for more
light to be projected and
still give adequate
interruption to the light
beam. On the other hand,
it could be that the
smaller blades perform no
other purpose than to give
mechanical support to the
shutter disc with the
shutter geared to rotate at
two revolutions per frame.
The open 2000ft
spools of highly
flammable nitrate film
and the limelight plant
were an explosive
combination. Note the
lantern slide attachment. Alan M. Hawthan of Lilydale Tasmania shown with his projection equipment c. 1917.
The day-bill reads:
Lilydale J.A.H. Picture
Play (J. Alan Hawthan) version, made in the USA in 1916. glass negative supplied by his friend
Saturday July 20th. Co- Given the priorities of World War 1, it Mr. Claude Hawthan, the son of Alan
Operative Film Presents, could well have been a year or two later Hawthan. Claude still remembers re-
Edith Taliaferro, Frank before the film was in Tasmania. winding film for his father. ★
Sherrill ( Jack Sherrill on CATHS member Mr. Ray Peck of
USA listing) and a superb Underwood Tasmania had this
cast The Conquest Of wonderful image developed from a
Canaan. This was the first
24 2004 CINEMARECORD