Page 23 - CinemaRecord #79

Frank Laterman
and Ballet.

Australia’s biggest theatre was appropriately
grandiose in its stage accoutrements: in the early
sound years the stage show included vaudeville
in lavish settings, specialty orchestra numbers, a
stage band, Wurlitzer organ and a slave console,
plus grand piano!

In an effort to lure patrons through the worst
of the Depression years, some of these early
shows lasted for three-and-one-half hours! Soon
though, this extravagance was scaled back, until
only the State orchestra, usually under the baton
of ‘Tiny’ Douglas, and the organist, provided
the live entertainment. After a brief absence
Douglas was back in 1949, his popularity
acknowledged in the program advertising...
welcome return of TINY DOUGLAS presenting
‘Show Business.’
Aubrey Whelan is the organist linked in local
memory with the State, and for good reason. He
succeeded Arnold Coleman in 1940 and stayed
for 16 years, the theatres third and longest-
serving resident organist.
Although her tenure as the State organist
was for only one year, Iris Norgrove deserves
mention. Lured from the Civic Auckland in
1956, her arrival in Melbourne coincided with
the Olympic Games. For her debut Iris chose
a rousing selection of national anthems. When
she played The Marseillaise, every French
national in the audience would stand, and so on.
Apparently it went down a treat.
Iris claimed that there were only two female, Bert Howell and band.
Wurlitzer-singing organists in the world.
The other was of course Noreen Hennessy at
Sydney’s Prince Edward.

Iris Norgrove.

Tiny Roland.

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