Page 32 - CinemaRecord #82

FAMILY AFFAIR

John’s future wife, June came into the picture
illiam John Richmond, known as John,
Wwas born into this world on January 3 as a patron who always seemed to arrive late.
in 1932. His lifetime love of the cinema would John would have to usher her to the back row
eventually include his wife June and their where she subsequently spent a large part of
her life.
seven children in a long term involvement in
the cinema industry in South Australia. Three days after he turned 21, John sat for,
and obtained his A-class Cinematograph
John started in the industry at twelve years Projectionist Licence with a score of 98 out
of age as third boy at the Vogue Theatre in of 100. June became an usherette around
the Adelaide suburb of Kingswood. It was an
November 1952. They married in February
unpaid job sweeping floors and such, but it was 1954.
a start! He was lucky enough to have known
Max Prince the projectionist at Adelaide’s Around this time the 3D movie House of
York Theatre in Rundle Street. He also was Wax was released. John was one of the first
very good friends with theatre technician, Ted projectionists to screen 3D to the public in
Hayes who gave lots of good advice to John. South Australia, at the Windsor Star Theatre,
John’s first real job in the projection room
was as an assistant projectionist at the Argosy Hilton.
As much as John’s Dad wanted him to follow
Theatre at Seacliff and he would ride his bike
in his profession as a banker which John did June and John spent the next three years
to work from Mitchum. He also worked for
try for a year or two, the noise of the projectors living at Dover Gardens. During this time
and the smell of carbon arc lamps won him Bruce, Ron and Len Cunnew with Windsor John assisted with the installation of wiring to
Theatres Group as an assistant projectionist on
over. Evidently, father was not impressed! the building and field of the Metro Drive-In
their circuit. He also did film truck deliveries
Theatre at Marion and also working nights at
between the four theatres and pick-ups from
the film exchange, as well he did maintenance the Windsor Theatre at St. Morris.
work at all locations. He would also act as
usher until the crowd got settled and then went The couple started their family by having
Diana in 1954. Bruce came along in 1955,
about his assistant projectionist duties.
and was named after Bruce Cunnew and Len
Teague, the projectionist who had originally
trained John.

Vogue Theatre, Kingswood.

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