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Halls Gap Cinema Conclusion
In one way the digital age is
bringing projection full circle.
The earliest projection - a
combination of volatile nitrate film,
ether for limelight, the biograph set up
in the balcony or at the back of a hall,
reels of film totally exposed, and before
the advent of take-up mechanisms, film
often collected in a laundry basket -
was one dangerous practice after
another.
As
public safety
became an
issue, strict
regulations
in building
James (Jim) Ness was a personal design,
friend and mentor of the writer. Jim projector
started his projection career as assistant design and
The hall has been equipped with a
operator at the Renown Elsternwick in operation of
complete plant of Kalee 11 projectors
1931. He also worked for Milne’s the
operating with carbon arcs (above).
Films, Elsternwick, a small independent equipment
The equipment is well maintained, and
distributor. Jim was variously a were
is a somewhat unexpected outfit to find
projectionist, technician and exhibitor, introduced
in this location.
running shows at Kinglake, Bayswater to minimize
Operated by volunteers for the
and other ‘hills’ locations. fire hazard.
popular annual Halls Gap Film Festival,
During his ‘retirement’ he operated
the dedication and interest of this group Operator’s fire instructions at the
for Reg Boulter at Hamilton and
is most creditable. defunct Regent Colac.
continued to do so up until a few weeks
before his passing in 1999. To mark Stawell - Town Hall Cinema. The introduction of 35mm safety
James’ lifelong involvement in cinema, I was impressed by the neatness of film in the early 1950s was a major
Reg. named the Hamilton venue the Century projector installation, step. By the late 1970s, tough mylar-
accordingly. complete with Cinemaccanica Xenon based film stock and the phase-out of
lamps (below). The bio-box was carbon arc lamps have seen film
spacious and ship-shape. projected from open platters or large
reels. These innovations allowed an
easing of safety rules.
By visiting both old and new
cinemas it's interesting to see just how
much things have changed yet in some
ways, they haven’t. ★

Ararat Astor
This commodious cinema is now a
triple with single Cinemaccanica
Victoria 8 machines and platters. Still
in the corner of the main bio-room is a
Raycophone Victory projector.
Italian Cinemaccanica 70/35
The late James Ness
machines supplanted Kalee after
Gaumont-Kalee closed in the early
1970s.

Anticipating a fun night. CATHS’ tourists
assemble at the former Odeon Star,
Mt Gambier

CINEMARECORD 2008 15