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Opening night and the field is full. Note the line of cars still trying to get in.
Many who could not gain admission When Hoyts saw the enormous Side shielding panels were added to
simply parked in surrounding roads to profits to be made with drive-ins, they the screen to block distracting light
catch a glimpse of the screen. bought out George Griffith and his from the houses and streets behind.
In an effort to placate the residents partners. On the Highway frontage a
of McComas Grove, speakers were Drive-ins in Perth, Adelaide, miniature replica Mobil service station
wired to each house so that the Geelong and other centres followed housed Victa mini go-karts. Safe
occupants could at least enjoy the within months of Burwood. Skyline driving instruction was given to kids
movie. expanded into a circuit with the who drove around and even stopped at
Skyline Burwood was not only construction of drive-ins at Preston, traffic lights installed as part of the
Australia’s first drive-in theatre, but it Oakleigh and Broadmeadows, in an attraction.
also introduced a new projector. The attempt to corner the Melbourne Families loved Burwood and the
Super Standard projector, manufactured market. drive-ins that followed; here was a full
by Fitton’s in Adelaide, made its debut Despite this coverage Village, night’s entertainment for the family.
at Burwood in 1954. The serial MGM and various independents Dad could collect his wife and children
numbers on the projectors were 100 followed with their versions of drive- straight from work, relax with a meal
and 101 and were initially backed by ins over the next few years at Croydon, that Mum did not have to prepare,
Peerless arcs. Later, Ashcraft Super Dandenong, Rowville, Essendon, whilst the kids played in the elaborate
Core-Lite lamphouses were substituted Clayton, and Maribyrnong. playground under the screen - all before
to improve the light on screen. Regardless of this competition, the show even started.
This model of projector, and later Burwood soon went bigger. It could “Come as you are”, was the catch-
the Super 75 made by the same now accommodate over 700 cars. After cry, and kids began appearing in
company, was the standard equipment about 18 months the screen was pyjamas, Mum in her day clothes and
in many drive-ins around Australia, due extended for CinemaScope proportions. Dads stopped wearing hats at the
to an association formed by Reg The snack bar was enlarged, a chicken pictures.
Fitton’s company with RCA. and fish bar was built behind the main The strength of the Twentieth
RCA, who offered virtually an snack bar, a walk-in was added for 51 Century Fox, Warner Bros. and United
entire drive-in equipment package, patrons, and a motor driven merry-go- Artists product in the 1950s and 1960s
chose the locally made Super Standard round was a thrilling addition to the ensured solid audiences. Popular films
projector to team with the RCA sound playground beneath the screen. at Burwood included many of the early
gear: sound heads, speakers, junction Earlier a steak house had been CinemaScope offerings: Marilyn
boxes and amplifiers. Hoyts and constructed on a small man-made lake Monroe in Some Like It Hot, westerns,
independents utilized this combination at the front left. A western themed James Bond, and of course The Sound
until both NTS (Greater Union) and BBQ area decorated with cacti and Of Music.
Westrex offered an alternative several wagon wheels also became a feature at
years later. this time.

18 2007 CINEMARECORD