Page 36 - CR-93

It was, however, not all sweetness and light in movie theatres. The film Gentleman's Agreement was not well received, in Wallsend at least. Being
a child, I loved Gregory Peck in the main role, and just did not understand why the audience gradually all walked out. After a bit, I thought that it
must be because of gas or a fire or something, and so I left the theatre too. I am not sure of the outcome. My aunt would have protected me from
that, and just brushed over it, by saying that people thought that there was too much talk in the picture. I had liked what I saw, and it was many
years before I thought to look for any other reason. Perhaps it was the content for those who went first and then others followed, like me.
(Gentleman's Agreement is a 1947 drama film about a journalist, played by Gregory Peck, who poses as a Jew to research an expose on
anti-Semitism in New York City and the affluent community.)
Because film is very flammable, great heat can be created by the projection
lamps and a fire broke out in the projection box inside the Wallsend Hall. Alf
escaped in time to get help, and the fire was extinguished. There was, once
again, much loss of gear. The replacement projection box was built outside the
building, a much easier place for sound proofing, and helpers could access the
work area without going through the hall. More space meant that the hall could
be used for a sport new to New Zealand, Men's Indoor Basketball. Basketball
itself was still a women's game with nine players at the time.

We loved the few occasions that we were allowed into the projection box. I
was terrified that I would miss the dots that appeared on the screen to let the
projectionist know that it was time to change to the other projector. That never
happened, because of course Alf was watching too, if pretending not to be. It
must have been difficult when they had only one projector. I am glad that I
missed that. Imagine the impatience of the audiences. Forever after, I watched
Each film was accompanied by a selection of press releases with infor- for those dots and prayed that he would also see them in time. If not, there
mation about the film, usually about six double-sided pages long would be a huge fuss made downstairs.

Westland Talkies van traverses dirt road, South Westland
Music was usually available to fill the gaps if and when there were breakdowns. In my memory that was not frequent. If the films arrived when
expected, Alf could check them for faults, but if the previous projectionist had been late forwarding film, or if the trains were irregular, that could
prevent the usual check.
In 1948-49 and 1950-51 there were polio Taking a break from the demands of
epidemics in New Zealand, and we had operating a Travelling Picture Show
to stay at home and do correspondence
school work. Alf and Rene set up their
lounge like a theatre for us and, with
their projector behind a glass door in
another room so that we could hear the
dialogue, they showed many pictures to
us. We were very privileged children.
We did not appreciate just how much at
the time, but we loved them dearly. Also
their benevolent partners, all four of
them. They were all close, till death
parted them.

The business was rewarding in many
ways, but no one became rich as a result.
In time, some extra income could be
earned by local advertisements played at
“half time”. This was the intermission,

36 CINEMARECORD # 93