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ESSENDON

AT THE PICTURES

14-15 MAY 2005

The location was specific, and the cleaning up – were well covered. Plaza was alive again as a cinema,
photographs were of the theatres of An illuminated map pin-pointed dedicated to explaining aspects of the
Essendon and surrounds, but the event each cinema location in the suburb. If history of cinema.
was equally a re-creation of going to Essendon and surrounds were typical of Projectionist Ross King, correctly
the pictures in any suburb. Tucked in a the rest of metropolitan Melbourne, the attired in his dust-coat, ran selections of
quiet street facing the Essendon railway number of film venues down the years newsreels and trailers on his Australian-
station, and with a tram stop just has been astonishing. First came the made 35mm C&W (Cummings and
behind the theatre, the former Hoyts open-air picture gardens, followed by Wilson) projector, with Raycophone
Plaza, now the Ukrainian Hall, was a the move indoors to local halls from sound head. Old films are often the
reminder of the once important about 1910, which later gave way to the trigger for inconsequential but
relationship between public transport purpose-built theatres. Display boards permanent memories. At one session,
and a theatre. in the centre of the room provided when the trailer for The Mole People
Most cinemas had an island ticket photos and concise histories of each of flashed the words ‘Starring John Agar’
box and at the Plaza Edweena Cook, in the main venues - the Moonee, Moonee on to the screen, a whisper went
traditional white blouse and maroon Ponds, the Southern Cross (later the around, “Wasn’t he married to Shirley
skirt, was the introduction to a vanished Regal), Circle and Plaza theatres of Temple?”
time. Taking turns as doormen and Essendon, the Ascot and Waratah in Members pitched in to display
ushers, Rod Cook, John Brown, Brian Ascot Vale and later additions, the treasured items. Ever wanted to see for
Hunt and Peter Wolfenden looked natty Essendon and Maribyrnong yourself how an anamorphic lens
in their Hoyts style maroon jackets and Drive-Ins. expands a ‘squeezed’ image to
black trousers. Films and illustrated talks were CinemaScope proportions? Well, there
The auditorium of a theatre is a scheduled at regular times in a it was, set above a strip of film for
large space to fill with exhibits, but temporary theatre set under the balcony, exactly that purpose. Nearby was the
three months of dedicated work by Rod complete with lounge chairs. In these most comprehensive collection of film
and Edweena Cook, Ross King and sessions Peter Wolfenden demonstrated gauges ever likely to be seen in one
Peter Wolfenden ensured that two days the trick imagery possible with the place: 8mm, 9.5mm, 16 mm, 17.5mm,
of inspections were needed to do the Magic Lantern, while David Kilderry 22mm, 28 mm and upwards; antique
collection justice. And CATHS gave a slide-show on the history of projectors and a set of 1940s glass
members pitched in heartily to ensure drive-in theatres in Victoria, including slides - Coming Attractions – of
that the complementary, and often some examples from overseas. Cinema evocative titles such as Alfred
unnoticed roles - in refreshments, slides were shown in a continuous loop Hitchcock’s Suspicion, Shadow of a
ambassadors, book sales, security and on the wall above the exit doors. The Doubt and Spellbound, all in their bold,

Image top: The organisers - Peter Wolfenden, Edweena Cook, Ross King and Rod Cook. Edweena made the traditional Hoyts outfits.

CINEMARECORD 2005 7