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
   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29