Page 4 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

Letters

Australia
ABN 37 195 378 179
Reg A0020747R
The aims of CATHS are: to record the David Garvie Given His Due No Magic For This Patron
history of cinemas and theatres, and to I was delighted to see in For the first time in my life, I
promote interest in theatre heritage and CinemaRecord 63 Peter Wolfenden’s walked out of a movie only part way
architecture, and other related areas.
excellent article on David Garvie, an through. The film was the latest in the
Patrons: almost forgotten film pioneer. Garvie Harry Potter series - Harry Potter and
Frank Van Straten OAM
Peter Smith OAM was a brilliant man, whose technical the Half-Blood Prince. It was a charity
and engineering skills produced high night, so there were many adults in the
Committee: quality, durable and reliable projection audience, out to help a cause.
President: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870
Vice President: Peter Wolfenden 9744 2570 equipment. Both the cinema and the film
Secretary: Mike Trickett 5278 1986 Few of Garvie’s machines came to disappointed. The venue can remain
Treasurer: Rodney Bendix 9563 2927 New Zealand. A few Austral, or anonymous, because I want to point out
★ possibly New Austral, were in use in the absurdity of a rule that probably
Qld. Convenor: the 1940s and 1950s, mostly in small applies in a number of cinemas across
Steve Maggs 0413 805 320 halls and cinemas in rural communities. Melbourne.
★ Travelling showmen on the east coast This particular cinema now has a
also used them. liquor licence, but drinks are not to be
Archivist: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870
Events Co-ordinator: Peter has done a great job in taken into the auditorium (not even in a
Les Auld 9689 2765 researching the life and career of this plastic cup): smelly popcorn and noisy
Film Buffs Group: amazing man, giving him the long cellophane are OK.
Mike Trickett 5278 1986
Publications Sales: overdue recognition he deserves, and Since I usually attend live shows,
James Barrand 0418 520 315 reminding everyone of his part in the where the enjoyment of alcohol is not
Membership Secretary: Peter O’Reilly development and advancement of proscribed in this way, I couldn’t
PO Box 476 Bentleigh Vic. 3204 Australia’s commercial cinema history. believe the management statement:
CinemaRecord Editor: I eagerly await Part Two.
Ian Smith “Our licence doesn’t allow that.” The
iansmith8@bigpond.com Congratulations Peter. film was not only tedious, it was
CATHS website: David Lascelles, Wellington NZ drowned out by the noise of the
www.caths.org.au munchers.
Postal address: Bombala Bombs Out
PO Box 476, Bentleigh 3204. The Olympia at Bombala Roderick B Smith, Balwyn
★ (Newsreel CR 63), and the problems Where Have All The (NZ) Regents
Membership faced by the community group to Gone?
Annual membership subscription is $45, restore and run it as a cinema, is one I very much enjoyed reading about
(overseas subscribers $50) and story told in my DVD Flicks in the Auckland’s magnificent Regent in CR
members receive four copies of Sticks Part One. 63 - what a true picture palace. This
CinemaRecord, notification of events, The group was enthusiastic to leads me to speculate on the fate of the
and copies of the agenda and minutes continue, buying the 1871-built Literary other major Regents throughout New
of all meetings. There is no joining fee.
Institute, but although it had grants Zealand: those in Wellington, Dunedin
Meetings and Christchurch. That last, I believe,
Meetings are held on the last Sunday of from State instrumentalities, local
February, April, June, August, October & council bureaucratic ‘insensitivity’ was converted to a multi-screen
November. stymied the project. complex in the 1980s.
Archive The Olympia has been for sale for Peter Woolnough, Kyogle NSW
The Archive is located in the Prahran about five years; the owner, although (The Regent Wellington is gone.
Mechanics’ Institute, 140 High Street allowing free use by the community
Prahran, 9510 3393. The Archive will cinema group, benefited from it being Regent Christchurch is
be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm cleaned inside and painted outside by unrecognizable in its multiplex format.
on the Saturday before each meeting the volunteers, and having the Only the Regent Dunedin, restored as
(see above), and at other times by a live theatre, retains its allure - see
appointment with the archivist. projectors restored. CR55.) - Editor
To continue as a public venue the
Publications
Back issues of CinemaRecord, other building would have required
publications, CDs and videos are considerable rehabilitation to bring it
available at meetings. Items are also up to current National Building Code
available by mail. Please contact James standards.
Barrand on 0418 520 315 for details. Ross Thorne, Palm Beach NSW

4 2009 CINEMARECORD