Page 28 - CR

A PASSION

FOR PICTURES
Continues...
I stayed there from 1965 to 1974,
then went to Roadshow Film
Distributors from 1974 to 1997.
I was also a video rep visiting
country and suburban stores during my
Lygon Theatre
time with Roadshow and this was a
good experience also.
During my time in the business, I
was taught by Gordon McClelland at
the Carlton Movie House how to be
an assistant projectionist and worked
there with Gordon for almost 12 years Her Majesty’s Theatre
at night. He taught me all you needed
to know about film and presentation I hope the memories of my work in
and I loved it. I also did some relief the movie business will be of interest to
work at the Empire and Lygon our Society members, for I have always
Theatres in Brunswick, as well as at the wanted to share my experiences with
National Theatre in Richmond. These anyone who is interested to hear or read
were the good old days and I treasure about it.
the memories of those times.
Former Roadshow Despatch My sincere best wishes to all
For 30 years I worked at night for
Roden St, North Melbourne. members — Barry Hall
J.C.Williamson’s at Her Majesty’s
In 1978, I was made a Member of and Comedy theatres - as well as at the
With thanks to the following for
the Australian Cinema Pioneers Society Princess Theatre in the city and the photographs and assistance: Pete Smith;
for my first 25 years of service within Palais Theatre in St Kilda, but that’s Derek Screen; Kevin Adams; Ian Hanson
the industry, which was great. another story! and Chapel Distribution.

Some Melbourne Film
Exchanges over the years:
20th Century-Fox – Lonsdale Street
United Artists – Mitchell House,
Lonsdale Street.
Warner Bros First National Pictures –
Queen Street.
Columbia Pictures – Queen Street.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – Queen St.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Paramount-CIC-UIP
Victory Publicity Movie Posters –
Lonsdale Street.
Paramount Pictures – King Street.
RKO Radio Pictures – Collins Street.
British Empire Films/GUO – Bourke St.
MGM closed their exchanges in 1970 and
went to Hoddle Street, Richmond as
MGM-BEF-GUO film distributors. Then
in 1974, they went with Cinema
International Corporation, which
became United International Pictures
who now handle film distribution on
behalf of many distributors.
Gone are the Golden Days of United Artists Universal BEF-GUO-Film Centre
Independence!

28 2010 CINEMARECORD