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The switch was between the Regent
and Capitol, only 100 metres apart, in
central Melbourne.
Perhaps it was only the newsreel or
a short, I don't know. I suspect the film
wasn’t travelling in a proper transit
case, or perhaps the catch wasn't too
secure!
Anyway, the switcher tripped while
running down the Collins Street hill
from the Regent. The film went flying
... It rolled down Collins Street into the
intersection with Swanston Street,
where it was run over by a tram!
That was the end of one switcher’s
career. I gather he thought it more
prudent not to show up again for work,
rather than try to explain the fate of the
film. ★

Images.
All drawings and the photos of the
National and Burnley theatres are by
the author.
The poster Emergency Colours is from
the Mike Trickett Collection.
The image of the Richmond Theatre is
from the Alan Windley Collection.

CINEMARECORD 2006 29