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To achieve the maximum impact
for South Pacific, the first film in
Melbourne in 70mm, a larger, though
less-curved screen was installed behind
a new proscenium. Out went another
three rows of seats. The seating
configuration was still not ideal for
ultra-large screens. Forty seats, mainly
in the back row under the balcony,
could not be sold for Around the World
because part of the screen was
obscured. For South Pacific this figure
was 52 seats. By the fourth film, Can
Can (Feb. 1962), the problem had been
solved: less seats and every one a
lounge chair.
70mm presentation created other
issues. For South Pacific the balcony
was re-graded and the steeper rake
meant that the floor of the projection
room also had to be raised.
Size and access to this crucial work
area had been problems from the 1920s,
which even the major changes for
70mm did not solve. Entry to the
projection room was still from a door
off the upstairs foyer, across the roof to
a landing and up another flight of stairs.
This open-air separation from the main
frontage may have been useful in the
event of a fire, but it did nothing for the
safety of the projectionist. The
emergency exit was down a ladder into
the room holding the arc rectifiers. The
projection room was too small for the
six-channel Westrex amplifiers, so they
were in the re-wind room. The re-wind
room was also reached by stepping
outside and down stairs. If it was
raining, the assistant projectionist had to
cover the reels of film when carrying
them to and fro. Now there were even
more steps and the occasional fall when
they were wet.
The new ports were so close to a
structural beam that there was no room
for conventional drop-down shutters.
Hoyts asked the Health Department to
waive the requirement for shutters,
citing the minimal likelihood of fire
with modern equipment. Health noted
the request as timely; they had been
considering a review of the regulations
and were prepared to seek advice on
world’s best practice. They took their Top: The Esquire in 1946; mellow and dignified, possibly its best-ever look.
advice from the U.K., which was to Image: Ross Thorne
retain shutters. (7) Hoyts complied by Above: The themed foyer for South Pacific.
fitting spring-loaded shutters, which Right: The hibiscus pattern curtain is fine, but the new proscenium seems an after
instead of dropping when released, slid thought.
upwards.

26 2005 CINEMARECORD