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There were other more elaborate
and spectacular cinemas in and around
Melbourne, but the Barkly had a
distinctive appearance and pleasant
atmosphere.
Fortuitously, I have photographs of
the old girl! One afternoon when
working alone, I used my old Kodak
folding-camera with a 120 Verichrome
film, to take a series of photographs of The Follow-Spot in use.
the bio-box, circle-lounge, auditorium,
stage and fly-tower using flashpowder
and time-exposures, and some multiple-
exposures involving up to three
sequential flash-pots to light the larger
areas. It may sound primitive but it
produced eight attractive, and now
historically interesting photos.
The entrance to the projection room
was off the lounge and lead into the
rewind room with a DC rectifier under
the steep wooden stairs up to the
slightly cramped projection area.
It was fitted out with two National
projectors, Western sound-heads and an
unusual duplex slide-projector with two
carbon arcs, one on top of the other
mounted on long steel rods so that they
could slide forward and back when
used for a range of effects to enliven Mutiple sets of curtains.
the slide presentation.
There was also a carbon-arc spot-
light with coloured light-gels which
was used for the occasional live show
and to brighten-up the presentation of
film titles.
House and stage lights were
controlled from the bio-box, and a
single 78rpm turntable was used for
music.
The staff, most of whom lived
locally were like a family – comprising
regular and casual employees. They
included the cleaning staff – three
women and one man who also did
maintenance such as changing light
bulbs and minor repairs.
The projection staff – a projectionist
(Jack Garry in my time) and one
assistant-projectionist were both Standard-ratio screen.
appointed and assigned by Hoyts chief
engineer, Mick Bramley.

32 2011 CINEMARECORD