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had moved up in the cinema world. He
was now conductor at the new Metro
Collins Street. “Lets go and hear
Cecil,” I suggested, and that's what we
did. The next night Mr. Langrell asked
me what we did on our special night
off. I think he was a bit taken aback
when I told him that we went to the
pictures.
At about age 19 I was promoted to
Chief of Staff at the Broadway, the
theatre just past the Camberwell
railway station. Until recently this had
been Our Theatre, but now it was in
the McLeish fold. A Miss Salisbury
was running the place at this time and
no one from the Rivoli had told her that
I was coming up to be in charge.
Naturally she resented someone she
regarded as a kid coming to take over. I
tried not to upset her, but the
atmosphere was frosty.
One night I could see that she was The Three Smart Girls of Universal's comedy hit of 1936 were (from left) Barbara Read,
agitated. Reluctantly she confided that Deanna Durbin and Nan Grey. This was Deanna’s film debut.
she couldn't reconcile the ticket
numbers with the takings. To save time McLeish was prepared to reward The new Rivoli opened and the old
when dispensing tickets she had pinned effort. His habit of standing in the foyer one closed. The war was on and I
the end of one roll on to the start of a and watching the buzz sometimes paid joined the Navy as a Petty Officer.
new roll. As soon as she explained this off for me. While in New Guinea I even met and
I could guess what had happened; she Wednesday was usually an off shared a joke with Gary Cooper who
had forgotten to allow for the numbers night, but the film was Show Boat was in the islands to entertain the
on the old tickets. The relief on her face (1936). I told a couple that there were troops.
was instant. We worked well together only two seats left, and that the seats Soon to be in civvy street but still in
from then on. were not together. They bought the uniform, I went to the new Rivoli to
The article about the Broadway in tickets, and as I placed the House Full see Robert Jnr. After the pleasantries he
CinemaRecord 48 mentioned that as sign out the front, the boss walked over, said, “I suppose you want your job
Our Theatre it was not a success. I peeled two, one pound notes out of his back?” I paused, looked around that
believe that one reason was a tactical pocket and gave them to me. handsome foyer and knew in an instant
error made by the Chairman of Sometimes McLeish would yarn what my response would be. I walked
Directors, J. P. Davies. about his early days in the industry. away, happy to have spent 19 years in
In his remarks from the stage on One of his stories was how it rained the business with one night off, but
opening night, he told the audience that one night when he was running an open ready to turn down a new road; and I
his theatre was for the “better class of -air picture show somewhere near have never regretted doing so. ★
citizen of Camberwell.” Imagine how Prahran, and an irate crowd chased him
that went down around town! and his business partner down Chapel
At the Rivoli, all patrons were Street demanding their money back. REEL
treated with equal courtesy and McLeish asked me to instruct his
attention. And once Robert McLeish son Robert in all the details of the
was in charge up the hill, the onus was cinema business. I did so and Robert DEALS
on his staff to correct the mistake. Jnr. then became the manager of the
Manager Sid Herron and I worked Broadway. KEEPING FILM
very hard to do so. When Three Smart By 1938 Junction Theatres
Girls was booked, Sid went to see the comprised the Broadway, Rivoli and COLLECTORS IN TOUCH
managers of the big stores, including the Regal, Hartwell. The takings from
those in Glenferrie. They were willing the three theatres were always pooled. I ENQUIRIES:
to sponsor the prizes for the Three would take the Broadway contribution MIKE TRICKETT
Smart Girls of the district. Picking down on the tram to the Rivoli and 25 Fairlie Street
them took the form of a quiz conducted walk back. Hoyts were involved in this North Geelong Vic. 3216
on stage. The film did big business. too, but I never understood the Phone: AH 03 5278 1986
connection. I never had to report to
Fax: 03 5278 3545
anyone from Hoyts.
Email: filmman@ncable.net.au

22 2006 CINEMARECORD