Page 35 - CinemaRecord #85

CinemaScope proportions. In most theatres, the surround speakers were
As most screens were made installed prior to our work being carried out.
higher as well as wider, they In the smaller theatres this work would start
also had to supply a new lens about 11.30pm after the night show and we
for the standard ratio screen, would have them back on the screen for the
this meant most theatres following night.
ended up with several lenses
to cope with the different Of the 32 Hoyts suburban theatres in Victoria
screen formats the largest CinemaScope screen installed was
at Victory Theatre St. Kilda, it was 40 feet
After the stage area had been wide 17 feet 4 inches high for CinemaScope,
cleared of all unwanted and 23 feet 6 inches wide 17 feet 4 inches high
equipment, the three behind for standard ratio.
the screen speakers were
installed, (in a small smaller The smallest screen installed was at the Plaza
theatres, only one speaker Essendon. it was 22 feet wide by 9 feet 7 inches
was installed), then the high for CinemaScope and 13 feet 2 inches
tubular aluminium frame wide by 9 feet 7 inches high for standard size.
Above: The original Academy ratio screen
was assembled and placed in The other 30 theatres ranged between these
the correct position on the two sizes.
Below: The newly installed CinemaScope screen and curtained
proscenium stage, this would take several
hours. After this, the new Not all theatres required alterations to the
Miracle Mirror screen would proscenium, as many were built with large
be laced to the frame, this stage areas. I guess over the years, some had
would take us to staged live shows, often as part of their
approximately 9.00 am the Saturday matinees with the Children’s Cinema
next morning. (If we were on Club (CCC) kids on stage for birthdays or
schedule a couple of us at a special events, such as Fredo Frog days. The
time could have an hour or so oldies will remember all this.
of sleep).
Repairs to damaged plaster was normally
The next assignment would carried out by Brilliants Plaster Works in
be to install the top and Albion Street Brunswick, along with other
bottom masking, along with plaster works in various suburbs. They knew
the motorised masking for in advance what theatre was changing over so
screen width adjustment. In would have their team ready. If a large painting
many theatres, the stage job was required Pettigrews Painters were
curtains had to be set out called in to do the work; if it was only a small
from the screen so as not to job Hoyts own painters would carry out the
foul the movement of the work. Any carpet work would be done by
masking. As most of the Hoyts carpet layers.
heads installed, giving them the choice of curtains were old and faded they were also
screening with magnetic stereo or optical mono replaced, as well, the foot lights and boarder Some of the CinemaScope screens I helped to
sound; most used the magnetic heads as the lights were upgraded to highlight the install were at, Rialto Kew, Hoyts Bentleigh,
sound was far superior. renovations. Renown Elsternwick, Circle Essendon, Plaza
Essendon, Circle Preston, Barkley Footscray,
The technical people carried a large range of After the engineers had finished in the bio box Hoyts Ivanhoe, and the last was in 1956 at
lenses, and could supply the correct focal and were ready for a test run, our job was to Regent Melbourne when the screen was
length lens to be used in conjunction with the adjust the curve and tilt of the screen. All work returned to its original position as a fly screen
anamorphic lens to fill the screen to was normally finished by 5.00pm. behind the proscenium. This was for the
opening of CinemaScope 55 with the Rodgers
and Hammerstein’s musical Carousel.
Returning the screen to its original position as
a fly screen made it possible to remove it when
required, making the Regent available for live
theatre as well as movies. This worked well as
the stage was used on various occasions
including the world premier of On the Beach
(filmed in Melbourne) with the Royal
Australian Navy Band on stage prior to the
screening.
After these changes at the Regent there was a
lot of plaster work required to repair the
proscenium, which was badly damaged when
the screen was first moved out in front of it.
I’m not sure who carried out the work and the
painting, but who ever it was it was did a
marvellous job. «
Images: CATHS Archive - except where noted
Left: The Regent CinemaScope screen and restored
proscenium. Image: Ross King

CINEMARECORD # 85 35