Page 26 - CinemaRecord #83

locations across Gippsland. The hardtops were
acquired over the years.
Mr. James Proud Lawrence (born 11November
1896 in Korumburra), was the resident manager
of the Valley Theatre for 22 years. Jim
Lawrence was the eldest of the three Lawrence
brothers (by ten years), and although most of
his working life had been spent in the movie or
sound business, he was not in partnership with
them. The widowed Jim, his son Malcolm and
twin daughters Dorothy and Margaret, arrived
in Traralgon in 1951 to commission, manage
and staff the Valley Theatre. Malcolm also
worked on the construction of the building and
as the first assistant projectionist for two years.
Jim Lawrence's movie career began during
World War 1 when, whilst working in the power
house at Korumburra (South Gippsland), he was
asked to assist in showing the movies in the
local Mechanics Hall. Jim also had experience The Valley as the Premier Reception Centre c. 1980
with sound since, from an early age; he was an
amateur radio operator. This was curtailed in 1935, where they stayed until the outbreak of forced the closure of this business. Fred then
1914 due to wartime security regulations. The the war. He worked in sound studios whilst in moved to Melbourne in 1961/2, where he
show was run by Sam Makeham and Sid England. The family returned to Melbourne in worked as a maintenance electrician. He
Whitton, who had both been repatriated from 1939 where he worked as a sound recordist with joined the Hoyts Drive-in Division and
the War. They formed a partnership and took Herschells Films. During the war, Jim worked worked with them for 2 years. Bette also
over a movie show in Korumburra. Jim learned for the Ministry of Munitions as an equipment worked as a cashier at the Hoyts Burwood
to operate the hand cranked projector and procurement officer; he also taught film Drive-in for seven years. In 1973, the
worked with the partners until 1920, finishing projection part-time at the Royal Melbourne Hardens leased the Valley Theatre from
at their Port Melbourne Town Hall show. Institute of Technology. After the war, he Lawrence Brothers, and reopened it as the
worked with Olympic Cables before joining Latrobe Cinema. After its 1978 closure, the
After 1920, Jim worked with Harry Bryer for Lawrence Brothers to commission the Valley Hardens worked at the Cameo Cinema in
Griffith and West (G & W) at the Liberty in Theatre. Jim died in his high nineties in Belgrave. H
Brunswick. He later worked at the Palace Traralgon.
Theatre, North Fitzroy, the St Kilda Theatre
and several other G & W locations. His The Hardens
developing expertise in projectors and sound Fred and Bette Harden had an early association Films screened at openings and closings
equipment lead to his involvement in the with Lawrence Brothers touring shows.
installation of sound systems in Melbourne's In 1937, Fred moved to Pakenham and worked The Valley Theatre opened on 19
Princess, Majestic and State Theatres. Jim with an agricultural machinery firm which was December 1951 with The House Across
worked for MGM from 1933-35, and was located next to the theatre. He came to know the Street and Trio.
responsible for the projection installation in the Tom Atkinson, the manager of the theatre and, It was fire damaged and temporarily
newly converted Metro Collins Street. Jim and whilst on holidays, Fred was invited to go on closed on 27 February 1956.
his family moved to England in December the touring circuit for a fortnight. Fred It reopened on 8 March 1956 with Far
subsequently joined Lawrence Horizons and Pack Train.
Brothers as a travelling circuit It closed on 8 May 1973 with Young
Winston.
manager, and looked after the
front-of-houses and business It reopened as the Latrobe Cinema on
matters. He met Bette Davis, his 21 June 1973 with The Honkers and
What's the Matter with Helen?
future wife, at Powelltown. Bette
had been employed by Lawrence
Brothers from the age of fourteen Finally closing on 15 January 1978 with
as a ticket seller. Fred was called a program of Greek films.
up for military service at the start
of World War 2. However, at the Acknowledgements:
completion of his basic 90 day
training, he was returned to his old James Lawrence; Malcolm Lawrence; Fred
job at the request of the Lawrence and Bette Harden; Alan Haddow; LV
Brothers. Fred was later called up Printers, Traralgon; Traralgon and District
for the "duration”, and was trained Historical Society; Traralgon - A Tableau
in radio skills. After the war, he Through Time, published by the Traralgon
finished an A Grade electrical and District Historical Society; The Traralgon
apprenticeship and, whilst
working for Nicholas-Aspro, was Journal; The Latrobe Valley Express; and Les
transferred to their Walwa (NSW) Tod for information on 'Skouras' style
factory. theatres.

Fred assisted George Cosh and Images by Malcolm Lawrence.
Allan Wilson to operate the
outdoor movie show in Walwa This article originally appeared Kino # 41
The Lawrence Brothers (this was eventually relocated to September 1992 – it has been updated by the
L to R: Alf, Josh and James
the local hall). By 1957, television author.

26 CINEMARECORD # 83