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Letters

Australia
ABN 37 195 378 179 70mm Greetings from Colombo
Reg A0020747R The Lost World of 70mm Theatres Thank you for sending the story on
(CinemaRecord 47) was a valuable the Regal cinema Colombo (CR47). I
The aims of CATHS are: to record the record of 70 mm history in Australia. would have replied earlier, but have
history of cinemas and theatres, and to been busy with the new movies
promote interest in theatre heritage and Film distributors lacked foresight
architecture, and other related areas. when it came to storage space for film Mansion By the Lake and Gurilla
Patrons: prints, especially 70 mm ones, which Marketing (sic) from famous
Frank Van Straten OAM Peter Smith OAM took the most space. Most 70mm prints writer/directors in Sri Lanka. We are
Elaine Marriner Philip Brady were destroyed, together with their having good crowds.
Committee: spools and trunks, as soon as a film I gave one magazine to Mr.
President: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 completed its contracts. Many were still Baldsing (alternate Manager) and we
Vice President: Peter Wolfenden 9744 2570 in good order – gone to landfill! also showed it to our company
Secretary: Mike Trickett 5278 1986 70mm prints were great for drive- Chairman. Now the Regal is known all
Treasurer: Barrie Wraith 9435 9785 ins. The big print restored the cinema over the world.
★ quality image that 35 mm could not Neither our families nor the theatre
Archivist: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 bring to the outdoors. The 70mm prints were damaged by the tsunami. We live
Central Victoria Co-ordinator: of the later single-projector Cinerama near the beach, and not far from us
Fred Page 5444 0428 (Bendigo) pictures had a slight ‘squeeze’ to them some dwellings were damaged, but no
Gippsland Co-ordinator: to obtain the extra width. In drive-ins one died.
Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 (Traralgon)
Events Co-ordinator: not equipped with a lens to remove the M. A. Sarath Fernando,
Brian Miller 9557 7446 squeeze, the results were obvious to the Manager, Regal Cinema
Film Buffs Group: projectionist, but I don’t think the
Mike Trickett 5278 1986 public noticed it.
Publications Sales: Some titles were released to give
Garry Saunders 9812 7227 •
•• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • • •
Membership Secretary: Peter O’Reilly the impression that they were •• NEWSREEL •
See postal address photographed in 70mm, whereas they • ••
CinemaRecord Editor: were merely 35mm ‘blow-ups’. •
Ian Smith Someday someone may care to research •• CINEMA, THEATRE & ••
ijsmith@impulse.net.au which films were shot in 70mm and • •
CATHS website: •• SHOWBUSINESS NEWS •
www.caths.org.au which ones were ‘blow –ups,’– not an • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• •
Postal address: easy task.
PO Box 476, Bentleigh 3204. William Gray, North Parramatta. As You Like It
★ The foyers of the revamped New
[Eric White writes about ‘blow-ups’ in
Membership this issue (page 38), and he gives a Cinema Como (Melb.) - black walls,
Annual membership subscription is $35, many mirrors and period furniture –
reference text.–Ed.]
(overseas subscribers $45) and have been as much a talking point as
members receive four copies of Theatre Names the films on the four new screens.
CinemaRecord, notification of events, Congratulations to Cameron Hall As the flagship cinema for Palace,
and copies of the agenda and minutes for his fascinating exploration of the décor at the New Como is meant to
of all meetings. There is no joining fee. theatre names (CR 47). Could I add turn heads. Similar changes are planned
Meetings two extra pieces to the jigsaw? for other Palace cinemas in Melbourne.
Meetings are held on the last Sunday of La Scala - ‘Scala’ has two The opening party was also a
February, April, June, August, October &
meanings in Italian: ‘Ladder’, as in celebration of Antonio Zeccola’s 40
November. Rossini’s opera La Scala de Seta (The years in cinema distribution and
Archive
Silken Ladder) and more relevantly, exhibition.
The Archive is located in the Prahran ‘Scales’, as in musical scales.
Mechanics’ Institute, 140 High Street In 1956 Mr. Zeccola, his father and
Tivoli - The original Sydney Tivoli, brother took over the Padua
Prahran, 9510 3393. The Archive will
be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm which set the pattern for the subsequent Brunswick, renamed it the
on the Saturday before each meeting Australia-wide circuit, was named by Metropolitan, and began importing
(see above), and at other times by Harry Rickards in honour of the Tivoli Italian films to screen there.
appointment with the archivist. music hall in the Strand. It was the Mr. Zeccola’s Palace Cinemas now
Publications leading music hall in London at the has 71 screens in 23 locations in
Back issues of CinemaRecord, other time. Australia.
publications, CDs and videos are Frank Van Straten, South Yarra
available at meetings. Items are also
available by mail. Please contact Garry
Saunders on 9812 7227 for details.

4 2005 CINEMARECORD