Page 26 - CR-95

In 1957, Centrex projectors with Westrex Another film which did good business was the CATHS member, Alan Winn, worked as
carbon arcs and 4 channel magnetic sound Peter Sellers classic, The Smallest Show on relieving projectionist at the Athenaeum
were installed for Ingrid Bergman’s Earth. Who could forget the sight of Percy from 1958 – 1961, and former CATHS
comeback film Anastasia. Although under the Quill (played by Sellers) leaning against an member, Harold Aspinall, worked as assistant
th
banner of 20 Century Fox, filmed in the new old-style arc lamp with his bottle of scotch, projectionist from 1957-1958. (Refer to
CinemaScope process, the movie was actually butting out his cigarette in the sand bucket. CinemaRecord Issue 67, 2010, pages 28-32).
made in Britain. Business boomed with full Margaret Rutherford played the part of a lolly- The full time projectionists were Bert
houses for four consecutive weeks. tray girl. No glamour there. Emerson (who had been at the Athenaeum
since its silent days) and Ted Schary.
Below: Promotion for The Sundowners at The Athenaeum
Harold Aspinall recalls the rule that the
National Anthem had to be played either
before or at the end of a performance. The
Athenaeum’s print of the “Queen” had
become rather scratched and tatty, and Harold
was very surprised one day to be sent a brand
new copy, with the instructions that it was to
be placed in the program immediately. He
found out later that the Victorian Governor,
Sir Dallas Brooks, was attending the evening
show on that day! Alan Winn recalls
newsreels being switched between the
Athenaeum and the Regent across the road.

Because the cinema had a circle and gallery,
the downward rake from the projection room
at the rear of the gallery to the screen was
quite steep. The projection room was very
small, measuring around 12 feet x 8 feet, and
ventilation was poor. Entry to the projection

26 CINEMARECORD # 95