Page 36 - CinemaRecord #85

THE PICTURE

SHOW MAN by Bob Cunningham

ith the recent re-screening on television home generators. The local hall had its own
Wof the 1977 movie The Picture Show generator which the elderly Jack Hobson
Man, it brought back vivid memories of assiduously monitored for local events; the
another picture show man from the early main regular ones being the almost weekly
1950s. I thought this film was a wonderful, late "Balls" - the Tennis Club Ball, the Football
1970s contribution to our thriving, but heavily Club Ball, the CWA Ball etc. I played piano
subsidised film industry. The plot was not too for such gala events with the local dance band
complicated, superbly acted by the late John and, because Lavers Hill was most frequently
Meillon, John Ewart and Rod Taylor, and was shrouded in fog, we were aptly named “The
set amidst the charming rural districts of New Misty Heights Serenaders.” (it had to be heard
South Wales, namely the Tamworth area. Like to be believed. We played everything in the
so many Australian made box-office flops of key of C or G.)
the time, the cost of this movie ($600,000)
almost broke even for the makers with receipts Once every two or three months, we
of $566,000. welcomed the itinerant “Talkie Bell” of Bell's
Talking Pictures. The whole area turned out
This brings me to my first teaching for his black and white offerings of mainly
appointment in 1952, at the remote hamlet of pre-war, but some post war westerns,
Lavers Hill, located on the top of a range of
comedies and a few musicals. From memory,
heavily forested mountains called the Otway one shilling and sixpence was the admission,
Ranges in south-west Victoria. Noted for its and we certainly got our money's worth. One
timber getting, dairying, and hugely thing that sticks in my mind was his manner
productive potato growing industry, its other of addressing the patrons. "People, People, John Meillon as The Picture Show Man
claim to fame was the rainfall. It is jokingly
welcome people ..." and the spiel would
said that it rains for six months of the year and commence as to what a brilliant program we (And rightly thankful, as the hall was always
drips off the trees for the remaining six.
were about to enjoy (provided there were no full to overflowing!)
breaks in the film, which were a permanent
There was no electricity, although it had feature), and the delights we could expect the There was no sweet stall incorporated into the
reached as far as nearby Beech Forest, and the next time that we might be fortunate enough hall, which was a simple wooden structure
area relied upon Tilley or Coleman lamps and to see him. "Thank you, thank you, people!" like the two village churches, but the
enterprising Madsen's Garage and Cafe
opposite the hall remained open for arriving
patrons to stock up before the “talkies”

I gather Talkie Bell had a regular run in the
small Western District settlements lucky
enough to have a public hall, with or without
electricity, as he had his own generator for
that purpose. I have a feeling Timboon,
another timber and multi farming settlement
in the Otways, was one of his other
destinations. He was, in a way, like the Sorlies
Revue Company and other small travelling
entertainments, including circuses, which
sought and serviced new and remote
settlements to bring them much needed
entertainment, and the bonus of bringing
together members of the community, much
like market days.

I wonder if any CATHS members had ever
heard of, or seen “Talkie Bell”. Other
townships might have given him another
name, or have stories of their own about
itinerant picture show men in other states. The
1977 movie, based on a true character, is
certainly a fine piece of social history and will
remain one of my favourite Australian movies.
«
Left: The Lavers Hill Hall 1940s. The upper door is
presumably the emergency exit from the
projection room.
Image: Otways Districts Historical Society

36 CINEMARECORD # 85