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Issue 100 Edition 4 – 2018
ISSN 1443-3664

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

Back in 2014, when our (then) President Gerry Kennedy, Secretary Mike
Trickett and I took on the role of producing CinemaRecord (following the
retirement of Kevin Adams from that responsibility after producing many
Cinema and Theatre Historical quality editions), none of us gave any thought to the fact that the 100 edition
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Society of Australia Inc. was only 18 issues away – light years ahead. Yet, here we are at that magic
number of 100, and what an enjoyable time we have had, collecting articles,
editing, adding photographs, making the occasional “boo-boo” but, in the
end, taking pride in our Society and the way it is presented to the public as
ABN 37 195 378 179 CAV No. A0020747R a quality organisation to which it is a privilege to belong.

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From the first edition of CinemaRecord in 1994 (edited by Peter O’Reilly), to this 100 edition,
39 St. Edmonds Road Prahran Vic. 3181 there have been four editors and now an editorial team working, it seems, continuously to keep
Email: caths@caths.org.au on top of the task of ensuring that each magazine contains a spread of articles from each State of
Web: www.caths.org.au Australia as well as from our friends across the ditch in New Zealand. My sincere thanks go to
the previous editors – namely Peter O’Reilly, Martin Powell, Kevin Adams and Ian Smith.
Produced and Edited by: Knowing how much time and effort it now takes two of us to produce four magazines each year
Mike Trickett & Richard Twentyman. makes me wonder how each of you managed to achieve what you did on your own. That, in itself,
is highly praiseworthy.
Printed by:
Mill Press Geelong Our feature article in this edition is by one of our Patrons, Frank Van Straten, entitled “Salute to
the State”. For those of us who toured the Forum Theatre in Melbourne late in July this year,
Patrons: Frank’s article will certainly add to the experience of that visit.
Peter Smith OAM Frank Van Straten AM
So, with the first 100 editions of CinemaRecord published, here’s to the next 100.
Committee:
President: Richard Twentyman 0418 526 082 Since this is the final edition for 2018, may I take this opportunity on behalf of your Committee
Vice President: Royce Harris 0406 476 048 to wish each and every one of our members a safe and happy Christmas, and a prosperous,
Secretary: Mike Trickett 0419 117 900 enjoyable 2019.
Treasurer: Cameron Hall 0414 866 527
Committee: Tony Tibballs 0407 200 749 Richard Twentyman.
Keith Gulliver 0488 953 022 President.
Judith Gulliver 0419 526 201
COVER CONTENTS
Research Group Convener: Melbourne’s Broadway ………………………………… 5
Ian Smith 03 5443 0692 It’s a Wonderful Life .…………………………………..10
The Astor Theatre, Surat, Queensland ……………….….14
Queensland Coordinator & Publicity Officer: Salute to the State Theatre, Melbourne…………………..16
Steve Maggs 0413 805 320 Congratulations on the 100 edition ………………….…20
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Now and Then - 100 year old Cinemas ……………….…21
Archive: Filmed in 70 mm - or was it ………………………….…26
Located at the Prahran Mechanics Institute First Provincial Twin Cinema in Australia ……..……….28
39 St. Edmonds Road, Prahran, Vic. 3181. Switching - a Nightmare for Runners and Projectionists.. 29
Formerly the State Theatre, A Message from our Patrons ……………………....30 & 31
Archive Enquiries: the iconic Forum Theatre is Explosion at the Pictures ………………………………..32
Archivist: Royce Harris 0406 476 048 a prominent land mark in Peter Ricketts - Cinema Runs in the Family ………………33
Email: archive476@gmail.com the Melbourne CBD. Strand / Odeon Theatre Hobart .…………………………36
Raymond Cottam Allsop .…………….………………… 38
CinemaRecord contributions: Feature story in this edition. Greek Cinema in Victoria ……………………………….40
CinemaRecord, 39 St. Edmonds Road Prahran Vic. Bendigo’s Golden Drive-in ………………………….….42
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
web site at: www.cinemarecord.org.au of Australian 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.
Meetings: Assistance with additional information, contacts, photos etc. may be available from the CATHS archive.
Held at the Sun Theatre Yarraville, Vic.
Last Sunday of Feb, Apr, June*, Aug, Oct, Nov. CinemaRecord articles and images are copyright, and are not to be reproduced without the permission of CATHS
*check CATHS web site - can vary. or the author. Every effort 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 make the necessary corrections in a future edition.

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