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Recollections Of A Movie Buff by Don Flowers

My introduction to movies was as with the majority. the visits to the local cinema for the Saturday matinees. Then the
graduation as a teenager to the grown- up pictures. The magic of Hollywood gave me the feeling of a wonderful world of
song and he-men.

I had little idea of how the picture was projected onto the screen. but I recall seeing the purple glow of the large glass with
bubbling mercury which was the rectifier. The whole entertainment provided in those days during the war and post war
years was really all that interested me. With marriage and bringing up a family, I found the drive-in theatres at Croydon and
Wantirna great to take the family out.

My first christening to the presentation of movies was during 1962 at the Mayfair Theatre at Dandenong. As a policeman
at the Dandenong C.I.B. I had the occasion to meet the proprietor, who also owned the Kinema at Albert Park, about a
police matter (I cannot now recall his name). There I met the projectionist /manager Graham Him beck whom I found was
also involved in I 6 millimetre films. The result was I eventually purchased a Bell and Howell projector and commenced to
hire movies from 16 millimetre and M.G.M.

I then met David Johnston who at the time was a projectionist for Hoyts at the Plaza. Melbourne. He invited me to the
theatre. The show running was "It"s a Mad. Mad, Mad, Mad. World'', which I enjoyed. I also saw the three Cinerama
projectors. and [ later met the young Tony Fenelon who was playing the Regent organ at that time. I was to see Tony on a
number of subsequent occasions. David would come to my house to view a movie and would bring Tony as well.

Subsequently in 1966, r was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Carlton. I there called on Gordon McClelland at the
Carlton Cinema. He was a neighbour of mine at the time. I have remained a good friend of Gordon until his death in August
1999. A perfect gentleman.

During my period at Carlton I was on duty at the Pentridge Gaol in 1967. when Ronald Ryan was hanged. We were there
because of the unrest, with the public objections and possible demonstrations. Ryan was hung just before the allotted time
I Oam, in case of any unforeseen problems.

In 1968, l was transferred to the Vice Squad. my second tour there. At that time the Squad were busy seizing the book
"Portnoy's Complaint" from the stores as it had been deemed obscene. The film released in 1972 was classified as a bomb.
Apart from that, part of the duties was the prosecution of exhibitors of pornographic tilm. At that time a number of 8 and
16 millimetre prints were being imported from Sweden. A fund-raising scheme was being run where clubs [usually local
football clubs] would hire these promoters to show porno lilms and that would be followed by a striptease artist. Usually
we would get a phone call from a mother or wife of the club members, of the intended show. We would then raid the
premises.

We were to seize the film and interview the operator. Of course the audience didn't know thm, and when we burst in the
local hall [whilst the show was running] and announce our presence. It was usually pandemonium with people diving out
the doors and windows. The seized film was then taken back to the station which was at the old North Fitzroy Police
Station where we had a small theatrette. We would view the films there, for evidence purposes. They were usually made by
Climax Films.

During that period David Johnston was the projectionist at the Sunset Drive-in at Maribyrnong. He arranged for me to
relieve the assistant when he was on his night off. David trained me in the art of threading projectors. changing carbons
after cleaning out the lamp houses, rewinding, and showing the slides at interval.

I believe it was at that stage I purchased two old AEG 35 mm projectors, and spent much of my time trying to restore them.
Later I purchased two DeYry semi portables, which I still possess, from a hall at Thomastown.

The Forest Hill Cinema. A very attractive theatre. modern. with about 400 seats on one raked level. A large screen with a
stage, and lighting for live shows. The curtains were of a red velvet type. There was a room next to the projection box with
a lighting and sound console. An occasional live show was held there, usually a school play. I met the then proprietor Bill
Templeton. On one occasion when 1 called in to see him whilst a show was on. He said to me that he hadn't had his tea yet
would I take over whiJe he went to the cafe next door, which I did.lt was no problem as the Xenon lamps on both machines
were on, and it was onJy a matter of doing the change-overs. He would return just before the interval.

On another occasion he did the same but when interval arrived Bill didn't appear. So I thought l better start the slides. The

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