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Sound Systems
Auditone: An early victim of the
(1)
Depression; gone by November 1930.

Austral Argo Engineering Co. Pty.
Ltd., Incorporating Speed Products:
Ever versatile, partners Ron Dudgeon
and Tom McMurtrie manufactured
spare parts for Simplex, Powers and
Kalee projectors, optical sound-heads,
pedestals and spool boxes - and even
taxi meters - from 10 Exploration Lane,
Melbourne. They also ran the Argosy Rupert Foyle, described by Everyones as ‘One of Australia’s foremost Biograph
Murrumbeena. operators’. Images, centre and above: Ross King Collection
Australtone: A 1930s manufacturer of
‘pull through’ soundheads (the European E.C.A.: The Electric Corporation of National Theatre Supplies: A major
way, as distinct from American designs Australia Ltd. of King Street Sydney supplier of imported equipment as well
with a driving sprocket), and amplifiers supplied talkie equipment including as locally produced amplifiers and
(6)
for converting projectors to sound. backup amplifiers. control units for four-track and 70mm
Australtone technology failed to meet Leviathan’s Rex: A Victorian six-track equipped cinemas. One
the quality standard set by Western manufacturer of both disc and on-film specialty was sound systems for drive-
Electric and as a result any theatres systems, including backup amplifiers. (6) ins not having RCA equipment.
which had installed the system were Lumenthode: Another sound-on-film Founded in the 1920s as
(1)
denied American product. system based on De Forest Phonofilm. (1) Australasian Films, a subsidiary of
Bevan: Sound heads and amplifiers Markophone: A sound-on-film system Union Theatres, it became General
manufactured in Melbourne by former from Markophone Australia Ltd. It was Theatre Supplies Ltd., absorbed
RCA engineer Fred Bevan in the 1930s. initially promoted by Hoyts as a Harringtons to become National
Bevan was affectionately known in the cheaper alternative to Fox Movietone. Theatre Supplies Gaumont Kalee,
trade as ‘One-hole Fred’ because of his Endorsement ceased after Fox bought slimmed the name to Gaumont Kalee
skill with a drill when retro-fitting a control of Hoyts in 1930. (1) The Theatre Supplies, changed again to
projector. Gippsland exhibitors the company’s other product, a sound-on- Greater Union Theatre Supplies and is
Lawrence Brothers praised the quality disc system, is in one scene in The now Atlab. In Sydney NTS was located
(4)
of his sound system. Picture Show Man. in the State theatre building and in
Burgin: The Burgin Electric Co. of Melbourne at the Majestic.
Kent Street Sydney specialised in talkie
effects for silent films; a stop-gap
(5)
procedure in the change-over years.
C&S: Not to be confused with C&W,
this was a sound-on-disc system with a
Farranti amplifier. The supplier was D.
Glynne of Hampton Street, Middle
(5)
Brighton. Glynne is also credited by
some insiders as the manufacturer of
the Vocaltone sound-head.
Cinephone: Harringtons (see National
Theatre Supplies) were agents for this
sound-on-disc system.
Defoy: Manufactured by Rupert Foyle,
cinema pioneer and operator at the
Broadway Elwood. The Regent Box
The sign, just visible - ‘Cinematograph Repairs and Replacements’ outlived Austral Argo.
Hill and Tasma, Pascoe Vale had
The modest premises has been demolished. Photo: Ross King
Simplex projectors fitted with Defoy
soundheads.

24 2008 CINEMARECORD