Page 15 - CinemaRecord #80

Trams in front of the Plaza.

On occasions when an usher was busy I had DERXW PLQXWHV EHIRUH WKH PRYLH ZDV ¿QLVKLQJ
WR REWDLQ D NH\ IURP WKH ER[ RI¿FH DQG ZDON the projectionist said that I had better head off
down an alley way all the way to the backstage home as it was getting late.
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were shown so at the precise moment the feature I rode home that night in awe as to what I had
hit the screen I had to pull on a rope cable and experienced, and I spent a restless night trying
hook it down over a lower peg to raise the top to sleep.
screen masking; in time with the side masking
operated by the projectionist upstairs. About a week later Mrs Lorenz mentioned to
me that Mr Margan wanted to see me in his
This operation was carried out without any RI¿FH , WKRXJKW RK GHDU KH ZLOO SUREDEO\ VD\ Bendigo Plaza.
lights being switched on back stage, as the area ³+RZ DERXW JHWWLQJ WKDW MDFNHW GU\ FOHDQHG´ ,
behind stage was well lit up by the image of the was surprised to hear him say that he heard that I
picture passing through the many small sound would like to work in the movies, and he wanted
holes in the screen. to know where I lived and he wanted to have a
In the winter months, before exiting the stage, I chat to my parents!
also had to check the wood furnace to see if any A couple of hours later he arrived back, came
logs had to be put in. to me and said I’ve spoken to your parents they
have given the go-ahead and that I could start
1959 and exam time was approaching at the work next Monday.
Bendigo Technical School I was attending My dad was pleased that I had got a job, but I
and one night as I was preparing to ride home would later have to get an apprenticeship with
an usher who was changing a poster board the railways, as working in a picture theatre was
enquired with me as to what I wanted to do not a real job, and besides SLFWXUHV ZRXOGQ¶W
when I left school. I told him my dad worked last! Bendigo Plaza.
on the railways and he wanted me to obtain a
position as a trainee train driver, but I really Bendigo Plaza.
wanted to work in the movies.

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great working upstairs in the projection room
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not seen the projectors even though I took
the &LQHVRXQG 1HZVUHHO up each week, and
whenever I pressed the buzzer at the door a hand
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can and promptly closed the door.

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a bio, and it was fascinating, asking questions
all the time as to how things worked, up until

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CINEMAREC ORD 2013 15