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From the Editor....

In The Architecture of Happiness philosopher and writer Alain de Botton
suggests that expressive buildings reach out to the human spirit, and put us in
touch with our finer feelings.
This will come as no surprise to readers of this magazine, who know what it
means to breathe in the atmosphere of a theatre building, and who savour the
moment of expectancy and calm when the house lights are down and the curtain is
still a blaze of colour.
Curiously, De Botton says nothing about the possibilities for happiness within
a fine theatre, yet without making the specific link, he does knock the props out
The official journal of the Cinema And from under one criticism of theatre design - that the architects were slavish
Theatre Historical Society Inc.
copyists, lifting ideas from hither and yon.
Australia
De Botton points out that Robert Adam, the revered English architect who
ISSN 1443-3664 • Published quarterly
★ developed ideas of ornamentation which later found favour with a generation of
theatre architects, was proud of his design for Kedleston Hall (1765). For this
Editor: Ian Smith
★ commission Adam boldly copied the Arch of Constantine in Rome (AD 315), and
placed it in the middle of the façade!
CinemaRecord Artwork:
In this issue Peter Broome, who began with 20th Century Fox in Sydney in
Bill Kerr, Optimum Design 9419 4144
★ despatch, and who rose to become head of Fox in Australia, begins an amusing
series on life in the world of film distribution. Peter completed the story of his life in
The main aim of CATHS and this
films on his 76th birthday (49 pages, a challenge to an editor) and sent it off to me.
publication is to accurately document and
I was also pleased to share time with a remarkable man - Mr. Roy Turner,
create an archive of the history of
known to his friends as Bernie, who started work at the Rivoli Camberwell in
cinemas and theatres.
1923, and who can talk about the theatre, his move to the Broadway, the people
Input in the form of articles,
and the times as though it was yesterday. I am sure that you will enjoy these
constructive criticism, and substantiated
stories as much as I did. – Ian Smith
dispute of printed matter is welcome, and
necessary to enable us to reach our
objective. NOW SHOWING!
Opinions expressed are those of the
Editor or contributors, and unless
expressly stated so, are not necessarily
those of the Cinema And Theatre
4 Letters, Newsreel
Historical Society Inc.
Articles printed in CinemaRecord 6 Selected Short Subjects - David Kilderry
should not be reproduced without the The rise and fall of the supporting program
permission of the author or the editor. 10 Memoirs of a Film Distributor - Peter Broome
All photos are from the collection of Part 1 From Publicity to Film Booker
the person or organisation stated. Every
13 Movies on the Move
effort has been made to trace the
ownership of copyright. In the event of More on railway cinema carriages
any questions arising as to the use of any 16 Theatre Rivals of Camberwell - Ian Smith
material, the author and publisher will be Foes to colleagues: Henry Holland and Robert McLeish
happy to make the necessary corrections 22 Rivoli to Broadway - Roy (Bernie) Turner
in future printings.
Contributions and suggestions for Nineteen years with Robert McLeish
CinemaRecord are most welcome. Please 23 Book Review - Frank Van Straten
contact the Editor if you are planning J.P. McGowan: Australia’s Hollywood Pioneer
to write an article for the magazine. 24 Reels Across The City - Brian Miller
We may be able to assist you with
Part 1 Week by week in your Hoyts Suburban Theatres
information, contacts, etc and it will help
us with forward planning. 30 Hot Oil and Carbon Ash - Ross King
★ The projectors in the Regent Adelaide, and some digressions
Contact: Ian Smith
Images in this publication are from CATHS Archive unless credited to another source.
Telephone: 5443 0692 (1-9pm)
Email: iansmith8@bigpond.com Cover: The Rivoli, Burke Road Camberwell c.1935, sometimes described as
Postal Address: PO Box 476, romanesque in style. What seems to be a portico from which balcony patrons might
Bentleigh, Victoria, 3204 enjoy the street scene was not a functional space. The theatre did not have a
mezzanine foyer.
CINEMARECORD 2006 3