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Issue 94
Edition 2 – 2017
ISSN 1443-3664

The Quarterly Journal of the Cinema and Theatre Historical Society of Australia Inc.

The Editors have invited me to write the Editorial for this issue and that gives me
a great opportunity to brag about our fantastic Archive. You hear and read about
the Archive but, unless you have visited it, it probably remains a mystery to you.
Cinema and Theatre Historical The Archive was our Past President Gerry Kennedy's vision to ensure that our work
in identifying and documenting all Cinemas and Theatres in Australasia is recorded
Society of Australia Inc. for future generations.
ABN 56 004 920 745 CAV No. A0020747R
This aim was just a dream until member Peter Wolfenden secured a small area in
the Prahran Mechanics' Institute building in Prahran. A collection of books, photos,
advertising, etc. relating to cinema then began, assisted by member donations.
39 St. Edmonds Road Prahran Vic. 3181
Email: caths@caths.org.au A larger room became available and the information was stored in suspension files
Web: www.caths.org.au in a growing collection of filing cabinets. Around the time I joined CATHS in 2009,
Gerry had decided that this collection of loose papers should be more securely filed
Produced and Edited by: in binders, which would make them more accessible.
Mike Trickett, Richard Twentyman. It was also agreed that all of our information would be recorded on a computer system to provide easier access.
Two computers were purchased. Gerry, Brian Hunt and I then devised a standard format for all venues. Mike
Printed by: Trickett wrote a computer program and carried out the huge task of transferring all data to the computer,
Mill Press Geelong including the scanning of all photos. From this ad hoc beginning the Archive has grown enormously and we
now have over 5600 Venues recorded.
Magazine & General Distribution: In 2015, the PMI moved to new larger premises and offered us a room in which to work and store our rapidly
Harvey & Pam Hutchison growing collection. We now have extensive shelving, desks and six computer terminals to accommodate a
growing band of volunteers who continue the researching, recording and filing of cinema related items.
Patrons: We are always happy to receive items from members and have been fortunate to receive several large private
Peter Smith OAM Frank Van Straten OAM collections. These are also useful in adding information and colour to CinemaRecord articles. A recent valuable
donation was the large collection of member Ian Williams, who spent a lifetime in the cinema and retained
Committee: much memorabilia. An example from this collection is the article "Cinema Promotion 1940 Style" in this issue,
President: Richard Twentyman 0418 526 082 gleaned from bound issues of the Hoyts Herald.
Vice President: Royce Harris 0406 476 048 An invitation is always extended to members to visit The Gerry Kennedy Memorial Archive to see for
Secretary: Mike Trickett 0419 117 900 yourselves what we are so proud of.
Treasurer: Cameron Hall 0414 866 527 Royce Harris Vice President /Archivist
Committee: Keith Gulliver 0488 953 022
Tony Tibballs 0407 200 749 Cover Pictures CONTENTS
Earl Martell 0497 274 575
CATHS at the Astor Theatre 2
Research Group Convener: Newsreel 4
Ian Smith 03 5443 0692 Letters 5
Hoyts Mid City Cinemas, Melbourne, Vic. 6
Queensland Coordinator & Publicity Officer: Empire Cinema, Island Bay, New Zealand 11
Steve Maggs 0413 805 320
The Amusu Theatre, Manildra, NSW 12
Our front and back covers The Cinemas of Moruya, NSW 14
Archive: show the iconic Art Deco
Located at the Prahran Mechanics Institute The Piccadilly, North Adelaide, SA 16
39 St. Edmonds Road, Prahran, Vic. 3181. cinema, the Piccadilly in The Picture Theatre Orchestra 24
North Adelaide.
Alfred Hall, Ballarat 27
Archive enquiries: Images: John Thiele A Look at Super Technirama 28
Archivist: Royce Harris 0406 476 048 Crossroads Drive in Mildura, Vic. 30
Cinema Promotion 1940s Style 32
CinemaRecord contributions: Feature article in this edition.
CinemaRecord, 39 St. Edmonds Road Prahran Paramount Pictures and the Auditorium, Vic. 36
Vic. 3181. Email: cinemarecord@caths.org.au

Back issues:
A full index of back issues is available on CATHS CATHS and this publication aim to document and create an archive of the history of Australian
web site at www.caths.org.au/crec/crec.htm cinemas and theatres. Contributions and suggestions to that end, are most welcome.
If you are planning to write an article for the magazine, the Editorial Team would be pleased to hear from you. Assistance with additional
Meetings: information, contacts, photos etc. may be available from the CATHS archive.
Held at the Sun Theatre Yarraville, Vic. CinemaRecord articles and images are copyright, and are not to be reproduced without the permission of CATHS or the author. Every effort
Last Sunday of Feb, Apr, June*, Aug, Oct, Nov. is made to trace the copyright of all published material. In the event of any questions arising from the use of any material, we will be happy to
*check CATHS web site - can vary. make the necessary corrections in a future edition.
Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and, unless expressly stated so, are not necessarily those of CATHS.

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