Page 9 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

A Cygnet Swansong

For Eddie

by Peter Jackson

Only some 400 metres from the The Cygnet has been owned by the
banks of the Swan River stands a Stiles family, prominent in the Perth
Cygnet. Not such a young cygnet entertainment scene for generations.
though. This very distinctive theatre has Formerly known as the Como
graced the higher ground in the Perth Theatre, there was also an outdoor It is anticipated that the Cygnet will
suburb of Como since 1938. picture gardens serviced by the same continue much in the current vein, but
It is the last remaining indoor, bio box, but the outdoor facility closed possibly with more double-bills on the
single-screen suburban cinema in Perth, some 40 years ago. weekend. Projection duties are now in
and survives on the love and hard work The cinema’s new exhibitor, the capable hands of Barry Goldman. ★
of its owners and staff and the loyalty Graham Kahn, has an association with
of its customers. the Cygnet. He was once a
Sadly, one of the driving forces projectionist there, and has spent a
behind the Cygnet, long-serving lifetime in the industry, having worked
operator Eddie Herbert, succumbed to in cinemas in New Zealand as well.
cancer recently.
On 19 July a regular monthly
Sunday screening of cinema classics
organised by the Australian Museum of
Motion Picture Technology (AMMPT)
became a farewell tribute to Eddie. The
film, somewhat fittingly, was the 1939
version of Goodbye Mr Chips, almost
as old as the Art Deco theatre itself.
There were few vacant seats in the
theatre, which has a capacity of just
under 500.
The monthly Classics of the Silver
Screen events are a popular attraction at
the Cygnet and much effort goes into
presenting a cinema experience
reminiscent of the golden era of the
movies. On this occasion there were
amusing short features, a cartoon and
trailer for a coming Buster Keaton
feature.
A ‘new’ twist was some lively organ
music played by John Fuhrman who
used to be a regular performer at the
long-gone Ambassadors and Metro
theatres in the city. Tunes such as
Tiptoe Through the Tulips, Keep your
Sunnyside Up and Nickelodeon put the
audience in the mood for nostalgia.
Being so close to the river, it is
appropriate that this theatre has a
nautical appearance. Architect William
Leighton made it reminiscent of an
ocean liner. It is a wonderful experience
to sit in the stalls or the circle and take
in the gracious lines of the auditorium
and proscenium, painted in a way that Centre: The nautical theme of the Cygnet.
accentuates the individual features. Above: CATHS’ President Gerry Kennedy with projectionist Barry Goldman in August 2009.

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