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millionth at the metro!

have come across an Amusements column in The Argus (which used to be a leading Melbourne
I newspaper) that I thought would appeal to a number of CATHS members. I have the whole paper in
good condition, bought from an ephemera/collectables fair last year.

The Metro Theatre ad for a revival of Gone with the Wind and a collection of other cinemas to half way
down the page present a great range of movies showing in Melbourne.

Maybe someone will recall who was the “Millionth Patron” to see Gone with the Wind and if they still
have the autographed photo of Clark Gable?!

About this session: I saw the movie for the first time whilst I was a school boy – on a Saturday afternoon.
Being a bit shy, I don’t recall telling any of my boarding school mates on Monday morning in Kew. I
was a “day boy” who was put up at an Auntie and Uncles home for a term. Two other families in the
same suburb then boarded me for a term each.

My Auntie encouraged me to go to see Gone with the
Wind now that l was old enough (16) as she and Uncle
had seen it whilst living in Sydney before moving to
Melbourne in 1942.
There was a regular bus service to the city so that’s
how I travelled to see the film – and this was certainly
the longest movie I had ever seen!

The show finished about 8:20pm so I had to
run around to Batman Avenue to catch the bus.
When I walked into their house, I recall that my
Aunt was a bit stressed as she had expected me
back an hour before! She even said something
about how she was “about to call the police!” It
was quite dark too, but it was winter after all!
Wonderful Memories.
Terry Wise.
Warragul. Vic.

‘The Argus’,
Monday, June 19, 1950

30 2012 CINEM AREC ORD