Page 12 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

56. The Crest Theatrette CATHS-V Members Home Cinemas

Among the wide variety of interest of CATHS.V members, a home cinema is a high priority for many of them. As
many members value their privacy, only the name of the theatrette will be mentioned, the place of its location
and the first name of Its owner. Hopefully, members of theatrettes in the following locations will document
Information on them: Ashburton, Elwood, Moe, Pascoe Vale, Rye, Shepparton, Seymour.

Fred's theatretle located In the Frankston district Is the realisation of a fifty year wish to gratify his penchant for
showmanship.

As a schoolboy he bought a 35mm "Lion" toy projector for 12/6, and with some school friends started a home
theatre, "The Paramount" in one of their parents garages. The same films were shown week after week, the
variety being the quiz shows, based on Bob Dyers radio show "Can You Take It •. Audience participation was
the go and if a contestant failed to answer a question, the penalty was along the lines of drinking a bottle of
lemonade without taking a breath, or picking out all the red hundreds and thousands from a cup full. These
programs ran for about a year and were a great hit with the local kids.

More serious cinema occurred In 1949 with the purchase of a 16mm silent projector. Herbert Small's library.
located within a camera store in Melbourne, was the source of films. This event necessitated a move to larger
premises. this time a double garage. When the 16mm silent library was exhausted a 9.5mm silent projector
became the heart of the operation In what was called the Crown Cinema - almost 50 years before the casino.

The Home Cinemas 9.5mm library was quite extensive and supplied the program for some time. The shows
were popular to the extent that it became necessary to run Saturday aflemoon matinees for the younger children.
The night shows were patronised by equal numbers of adults and older children. Often parents brought along
piano accordians and guitars etc. and community singing was a regular feature.

In 1951 a Palhescope Son 9.5mm sound projector was purchased brand new, proper theatre seats were
Installed (ex Royal Theatre. Windsor) and popularity grew to such an extent that an Intermediate session was
added to the screening schedule. Crowds waiting for admission to the evening shows even atlracted "The
Herald" boy. This joy ended In 1953 when National Service claimed most of the staff and Improving prosperity
resulted in cars, camping and soon after girls and families.

The Crest Proscenium

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