Page 13 - CinemaRecord #76C

In choosing personnel to staff the drive-in’s, I commenced working at Dundas Skyline
consolidated chose to appoint John Jennings in 1963 as Assistant Projectionist; the Cinemeccania with Ashcraft arcs lamp.
as general manager of the circuit. position became available when John
Merrin was appointed as manager to
Jennings, formerly in charge of the Western open the new Skyline at Blacktown. His GU had the license to market Cinemeccanica
Suburbs Cinemas circuit chose to select assistant Alan Parsons became projectionist projectors in Australia, so these were
managers from that company. For Dundas and being a good friend, suggested I apply installed at Dundas in April 1969. They
he chose Len Mostyn from the Civic at for the position of assistant and upon doing were backed by Ashcraft arc lamps, which
Bankstown, and for projectionist, John so was accepted. Hoyts distributed.
Merrin from the Castle Theatre, Granville.
The directors of Consolidated, six from My position later became Relief The new equipment made a great
Hoyts and six from Greater Union held Projectionist for the circuit, doing holiday difference to the results on screen,
meetings yearly in the boardroom which was relief, giving me a wider experience giving Dundas new life. It enabled
located at the North Ryde Skyline. of all drive-in operations.For a short drive-ins to also screen 70mm prints
period in 1967, I was transferred to the of major films whenever they were
The programming format continued Skyline North Ryde as assistant to Bob available. The first film at Dundas
throughout 1958 into 1959. Double-features Brainwood. In March 1968, I received to play on the new equipment was
nightly were in operation with the main a memo advising that I was appointed The Sound of Music.
feature screening first. Then it became Operator at Dundas.
double features Monday to Thursday with A new development in programming
single features on Friday and Saturday only. In 1969 the directors of Consolidated decided policy occurred with Sunday openings.
In 1960 it was double-features Monday to to re-equip all of the original Skyline’s with For the first two weeks all drive-ins
Saturday and this format was to stay until the new projectors. Now that film production was opened, but due to union demands for
arrival of Sunday openings. beginning to move away from studio-style extra remuneration for Sunday work, it
production, films were being photographed was decided to close half, only opening
As time brought changes, the barbeque in locations not served by studio lighting and those that brought the best returns.
service was closed down and eventually the the loss of light that occurred in drive-ins
snack-bar carts were no longer run. was a big concern.

Gimme a push mate?
One of the troubles that most drive-ins
encountered was the number of cars ending
the show with a flat battery – usually as a result
of running lights, or heaters. Patrons expected
staff to give them a push-start to get them
going. One Manager nearly had a heart-attack
and vowed never to push another car!
All drive-ins soon acquired jumper-leads
and (if willing) staff obliged patrons with
a start from their own car battery. Often
NRMA Roadside Service staff would come
to Dundas after interval and then happily
provide a free service by starting stranded
Slide Projector. cars in return for the movie!

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