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OTHER ENTERTAINMENT VENUES just in time to start work. My mate Apprehension gave way to
Geoff suggested that we should move observation of our luxury surroundings.
Press Pass on, as these places were very expensive There was a small stage with curtains.
and out of our league. But I had an idea
A band, dressed in white with red bow
and kept pushing to go in. ties were sitting behind music stands.
at the the American Millionaire magazine, The waiters were dressed to the hilt as
In response to an advertisement in
were most of the patrons. The tables
Cross which was seeking overseas reporters, I were covered with linen tablecloths and
serviettes in rings. The drink bar was
had been sent an impressive, gold
fifties trendy, with concealed lighting. I
embossed ‘Press Pass’ with my name
printed on it. I have since used this pass noticed spotlights mounted on the walls
By Noel Kerr
to gain admittance to many places and roof beams. Very nice indeed and
normally out of bounds to the public, like nothing we had been to before.
and with a genuine interest in We had consumed nearly three-
photography, already had the other quarters of the champagne when the
important accessories-one of the first lights went down and the floods came
electronic flash units, a heavy power on. Four attractive dancers in very basic
unit that hung over the shoulder. It was outfits were about to lead into the floor
powered by a chargeable wet battery show. The manager must have had a
and was connected via a coiled power word to them, as much eye contact was
cord to a flash head mounted on my directed at us before we were dragged
Pentax. A very heavy unit, but at the on to the floor to 'help' them with one
time, impressive and professional. routine. The champagne was kicking-
I had the card and the equipment: in, we felt relaxed. I thought I had
this might get us in, even just to have a better take some photographs to appear
look. Geoff said something about to be doing my job. The manager
washing dishes, but agreed to give it a smiled when he saw the flash going off.
go. He moved to the mike to announce that
We were greeted by a rather rotund the club had a couple of "American
gentleman who introduced himself as reporters who had come to report on
the manager. His eyes went straight to the club for a magazine.” This was met
my gear and with a puzzled expression with a round of applause. We spent the
on his face, inquired what it was for. I next five minutes trying to speak with
had been through this routine before, American accents.
presented my Press Pass and stated that A waiter arrived with a menu that
I was interested in taking photos, with was the size of the old Melbourne Sun.
his permission, for possible inclusion in One look at the prices and we
Millionaire Magazine. I introduced my wondered if an escape was the next
friend as an assistant who recorded best move. Even sharing an entree
details and combined them into a story would break our budget. Perhaps we
line. could plead a sudden loss of appetite.
The manager seemed more than The smiling manager leaned over and
impressed and rattled off something informed us that our dinner was on the
about tourists from overseas coming to house. Anything we wanted! We
his club. I started to feel relaxed. We thanked him no end and took more
were told that they were almost booked photographs.
out that evening but he would fix up a We couldn't believe our luck and
place for us. Two waiters approached, held the menu with more purpose.
carrying a table head high, which was Things got even better; another bottle
placed on the edge of the show-stage of champagne arrived together with
floor. They returned with chairs and free packets of cigarettes and matches,
To go in or move on, this was the
requested us to sit. with the club name embossed. More
dilemma we faced standing outside a photos, then I noticed I was running out
The manager whispered to one of
Kings Cross Nightclub. It was one of of film. Time to slow down.
the waiters and pointed our way. The
our weekend trips to Sydney late 1951,
waiter then came over with a bottle of We started with Chicken soup and
the sort of place two lads from
champagne in an ice bucket. I was an entree of Oyster Mornay. This was
Melbourne looking for fun would want
worried; we hadn't ordered any wine. followed by a crayfish salad, almost too
to experience sooner or later. Our
He smiled and informed us that it was large to consume. A couple of
routine was simple: hop on the
on the house, as well as any other photographs of the stage comedian
Southern Aurora for the overnight trip,
drinks we may require. Wow! Did our resulted in some photographic jokes
book into an inexpensive hotel at the
faces light up! directed back at us. Being a bit tanked
Cross and return on the Sunday night,
up we were really enjoying ourselves.
34 2005 CINEMARECORD