Page 23 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

Left: Garvie projector with a later sound-
head of unknown make. The machine is
still in the Willunga Institute Hall (S.A.)
Above: The name plate reads
Harrington's Imperia, an earlier Garvie
model

By 1926 Garvie projectors were in Demonstrations of synchronised
use in Devonport Tasmania; picture and sound, including sound on
Maryborough, Colac, Port Fairy and film, had already been made by
Wedderburn in Victoria, and in many organisations such as De Forest
Western Australian locations including Phonofilms from 1922 in America, and
Collie, Denmark, Fremantle, shown at the Piccadilly, Sydney in
(3,8,9,11)
Goomalling and Osborne Park. 1925!
So well built were the Garvie It is appropriate at this point to
projectors, that many were later recognise the contribution of two key
converted to optical sound and still Garvie workers. E.A. Travers started
operating when television caused small with Garvie in 1924 as an accountant,
‘institute’ theatres to close during the and B.O. (Bos) Siemer was foreman at
(3,6,7,10,13,15)
1960s. the works. Both contributed in different
David Garvie was indeed a ways to Garvie’s success, including the
significant player in the early days of development in 1928 of Talkie The design of the intermittent movement
commercial cinema in Australia, and Turntables for sound-on-disc films. The on an Ernemann projector, the basis for
William Benbow, his apprentice with an Star, Dimboola (Vic.) installed Garvie Garvie's projectors.
enquiring mind, was in a supreme turntables, reported as still doing a fine
position to learn this new trade and job in 1932. Some 20 installations were
further develop the medium. He sold, but Garvie’s interest was now
(8,12)
completed his apprenticeship in 1922 elsewhere.
and was soon pursuing his own There is little doubt that the Garvie
interests in theatre installation and Biograph was a properly engineered
exhibition. For now though, David projector, well accepted by the
Garvie has the spotlight. industry. With the coming of sound,
Although he would soon depart the many were easily converted for sound
cinema business, Garvie, as late as 1932, on film, some still operating into the
(15,16)
was still advertising that new projectors 1960s!
and spare parts were available from his
Maude Street, Unley address. Acknowledgements:
I sincerely thank Don and Norma
A brilliant engineer, he was now
Garvie - David Garvie’s son and
pursuing other interests, particularly in
daughter-in-law - and Don and June
refrigeration, where he developed and
Benbow - William Benbow’s son and
marketed South Australia’s first electric
daughter-in-law for their hospitality,
refrigerator in 1926, the Ice-o-lectric - the
information and advice.
genesis of Coldstream. Perhaps too he
foresaw the massive changes necessary I also thank Colin Kennett, Alan
for the development of ‘talkies’, now Windley, Ross King, David Lascelles
more than a distinct possibility in the and Ian Smith of CATHS.
minds of industry figures.

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