Page 4 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf
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Happenings                                                                by Graham Smythe



             Jeff's motto 'Victoria on the Move' is one that certainly could be ascribed to CATHS-V, because the last few
             weeks have been moving with two significantly important events.

             Australian Cinematographe Centenary Celebration - I'm sure Carl Hertz would have turned in his grave if he
             knew how we upstaged him on the 22/8/96, just 100 years to the day of his show at the old Melbourne Opera
             House. The night might have been wet and drizzly, but the PROGRESS THEATRE really came alive with the
             usual CATHS-V excitement and I detected a House "Full" sign on the ticket box.
                   Special nights don't just happen but are the result of special people doing special things. Various local
             papers carried  publicity, it was in the Age EG and  the  Progress Program  leaflet,  and  Fred Page was even
             interviewed on  3LO. Then there  were the workers.  Edwina and her band  of helpers preparing the  nibbles,
             sandwiches, and supper with chicken and champagne, all in a miniature kitchen. Also the Souvenir Program
             and tickets by Martin Powell . And thanks to the Bow Tie Brigade and to the Usherettes.
                   Contributing much to the evening were what we may class as 'The Entertainers" who carried the show
             along.  Bruce Ardley with  his  Organ set the  tone and  played tirelessly for the  whole evening.  Rod  How as
             Manager opened the night and welcomed all to the Progress. But what can we say about Denzil Howson -even
             if he did lose his papers.  A great compere and thanks again. A surprise was the great voice  of Zak Brown
             accompanied by Bruce, thanks for your beautiful renditions. Then came the Trivia Quiz with prizes given and
             the two Lolly Girls at Intermission.
                   The Program really befitted the occasion, first with  vintage material via video projection, then the film
             projectors took over. An early Popeye had everybody (and I mean everybody) singing the Popeye Song, then
             the excitement of a Saturday Serial. An occasional upside down frame flash or a waltzing frameline deterred
             nobody and we revelled in glimpses of everything from Mickey, Chaplin, Newsreels, Commercials up to some
             Dolby Surround and including the Centenary of Cinema Trailer.
                   The main feature after Interval, 'Two Seats in the Circle", produced by our members Roger and Barbara
             Seccombe, was received with great acclaim and capped off a most unusual and interesting program. At this
             conclusion, the audience were invited to the foyer for a chicken and champagne supper, thus bringing to an end
             a memorable night to celebrate 100 years of the moving picture not only for Melbourne, but for Australia.
                   The only sad thing was that we missed our 'Mr. Theatres', Alan Wind~ey, laid aside due to heart surgery
             -so many asked about you Alan, now fully recovered and are joining in our activities again. Pity this was a one-
             off night, it was such a success and a great event- sorry I won't be around for the next one in 2096.

             The Charlton - St. Arnaud Weekend Convention - The afternoon of Saturday 7th September saw some 26 of
             our group progressively arrive at the Charlton Motel, having left the Melbourne rain far behind. After settling in
             to our comfortable units, some even had spas, all gathered at the "Cinema Charlton" at 4.15pm to meet our
             owner-host Geoff Edwards and Joan. Needless to say, as usual we took over the theatre which had originally
             opened in October 1938 as the Rex Theatre seating 600 but now 480.  Geoff is  the projectionist and  kindly
             outlined the history of the theatre. Great interest was shown  in  the two  Phillips Dual 70-35mm  Carbon  Arc
             Projectors and the 16mm Zenon Bauer. For our afternoon session we were treated to some 35 and 16mm short
             selections, following which a CATHS-V Certificate was presented.
                   Dinner in the motel restaurant was at a specially set long table with adjacent bar service - the Charlton
             did us very well- as evidenced by the happy  group so characteristic of CATHS-V.
                   Down again to the Cinema to get into the ticket queue for the evening show which started at 8.15pm. We
             shared the Circle with other adult patrons whilst the noisy peanut/jaffas younger set took over the stalls. We
             were treated to viewing Robert Redford and Michelle Pfieffer in  'Up Close and Personal', and our CATHS-V
             Presentation Certificate was already displayed in the entrance foyer.

             Next morning Sunday 8th we made our own way down the 43km to St. Arnaud where at 1 Oam we were met by
             Keith McDonald at the Town Hall. Here we were joined by Ella Ebery, Historian and Editor of the local paper;
             who both conducted our party through the Town Hall, firstly to the original hall of 1869, and then through to the
             1930's-newer section which served as the Town Hall Pictures. After interviews and photos a presentation was
             made of a CATHS-V framed certificate. Ella then took us to the Mechanics lnstitl!te built 1882, one of the oldest
             in Victoria. All of the St. Arnaud venues are in  use by various film or theatre groups.

             After making our own arrangements for a picnic lunch it was 15km down the Sunraysia to 'Sylverley', the home
             of Keith and Norma McDonald. So much to see on the McDonald farm and interests were variously divided
             between the  Doll  Museum  and  the Treasures  in  the Equipment Sheds - where ever you turned there was
             something to grab your interest.
                   Norma kindly provided afternoon tea in the sunshine and then it was into Keith's Theatrette to admire the
             equipment and  take  in the show.  His  35mm  'We  Must Have  Music' from  MGM  had  everyone  in  and  was
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