Page 30 - CinemaRecord #84

by Philip Fenton

have read some recent articles written by
Imy good friend, Richard Twentyman,
describing the luminaries of the movie
industry in Geelong. I was pleased when
Richard suggested I write about my father
Jim, who shaped the way my working life
developed and also gave me my interest in the
Former Torquay Cinema.
local movie industry.
Jim Fenton was born in Glen Iris in 1904, the
son of policeman. At a young age, he became
interested in movies and at about age 14, was Company) hanging horizontally on the wall.
able to make a small movie projector using Sunday morning was also a time for meeting
cotton reels with filed down nails as sprocket with old friends in our backyard, usually Bass
Brownbill and Arthur Kishere, who were also
teeth. Sadly, there is no record of this project,
but there is a synergy to a gift I received from movie fanatics. Whilst these three had a
mum and dad at around age 10 of a small ‘toy’ passion for movies, the opportunity to make
projector that handled 35 mm strip film and money was rarely missed.
was powered by a 100 watt light bulb. It was
a gift I treasured, and still sits on our mantle In the early days, Dad was projectionist at the
piece at home. following Geelong and south-west Victorian
venues:
Dad completed his education at the Gordon
Institute of Technology in Geelong, earning Globe Theatre in Winchelsea (west of
diplomas in electrical and mechanical Geelong), with mum playing piano for the
engineering in 1924, apparently the first silent movies, probably late 1920s.
student to successfully complete concurrent
diplomas. His working life was confined to Australian Cement Recreation Hall, where
Dad worked from about 1928 to May 1930
the Australian Cement Company in Fyansford
(a suburb of Geelong), where he was Power when the hall was destroyed by fire. Films Arthur Kishere (left) & Jim Fenton (right)
House Superintendent and manager of the were screened every Wednesday night, and
Drawing Office. consisted of a feature, support and a
documentary of some sort. Admission was 1/- Plaza Theatre in Ryrie Street Geelong, where
(10 cents) for adults and 6d (five cents) for Dad operated on Saturday nights from 10 June
Dad spent most of his spare time either in the 1933 until its closure on 18 March 1939.
bio box at various venues, or preparing film children. Dad kept meticulous records,
detailing the films being shown, the nightly Again, the records we have are meticulous and
at home. I can still remember him winding it is noted that on most nights the theatre was
film in our garage, usually on a Sunday takings and any maintenance issues ‘Full’.
morning, with the hand winders firmly bolted encountered. These records are still in
to a ladder (courtesy of Australian Cement existence.
West Park Theatre in Autumn Street, West
Geelong, which opened originally in 1915
Globe Theatre, Winchelsea. (Image: John Budge collection)
screening silent movies. It closed after a short
while, then re-opened in March 1936 with
sound.
Palais Royal in Moorabool Street, Geelong,
Dad worked on Saturday nights from about
1940 to 1956. The Palais was constructed
using some of the materials from the original
Joy Ark silent cinema and dance hall, which
was located on the Geelong waterfront.
The Palais was primarily a dance hall, but
screened single reel silent comedies during the
dancing. The Palais was owned by Laurie
Slack, who had a library of hundreds of 35 mm
one reel comedies to choose from; all held in
racks on the premises. They were mainly
Charlie Chaplin and other comedies. I used to
accompany Dad on the Saturday nights when
he worked at the Palais, and clearly remember
the racks of film, and yes they were all nitrate.

30 CINEMARECORD # 84