Page 10 - CR31R.pdf

of-the-art, befitting its role as a test subsequently removed and the total
cinema for film producers. capacity at time of closure was 301
Although the walls were lined with seats.
fabric, it was felt that the acoustics The new Longford did not
were still not adequate for a cinema encounter any major problems with
conducting test screenings. Australia’s meeting Council and Health
foremost Acoustics Engineer, Graeme regulations. However, an inspection by
Thirkall, was engaged and designed the Council Inspector in 1985 noted
acoustic diffusers to overcome the that there was no emergency lighting
problem. system in operation (nor had there
been one for the previous nine years
TECHNICAL
considered underpowered and casting ACCOMPLISHMENTS of operation!), and that there was a
a dull image on the screen. shortage of up to date small fire
The Longford was the first theatre
SOUND in Australia to consistently comply
The original sound system in 1984 with SMPTE standards, and for a long
was VRT (Village RoadShow) Mono – time it was the only one to which did
rather crude for the day. In 1986 it so. While visually cinema was plain,
was replaced with a New Zealand- technically it was state of the art in
built Peroux Stereo 300W unit almost every respect.
through a Yamaha 6 channel mixer. It ARCHITECTURE
was driven through 2 Tanoy Red
The Longford as built in 1975 was
Studio Monitors 15” co-axial. The
‘In Vogue Retro 1970s’ architecture.
system included a Simetrix noise
The décor remained in its original fighting equipment. These were
reduction system, a Vesta-Vega
condition until closure -including the immediately brought up to the
enhancer and Yamaha 22 band stereo
strong red colour theme and extensive required standards.
graphic equalizer. At the same time
use of fabric in the interior. The
the Bauer projector sound was PROGRAMS & NOTABLE
Architect was Darryl Fisher.
upgraded to Kelmar stereo optical SCREENINGS
The original foyer carpet, which
readers. An unusual feature of The
was purchased new in 1976 from
In 1988 the sound system was Longford was that for many years its
United Carpet Mills, also remained at
upgraded again to a full Dolby system programs ran from Fridays to
the time of closure, complete with two
with a CP100 processor (ex-Hoyts Thursdays, compared with the
bullet holes which occurred as the
cinema), with 5 Auditec/Murray dual industry “ norm” of Thursdays to
result of a feud in the foyer between
100W power amplifiers, with an Wednesdays. It only finally came into
two Indian families. The auditorium
Amcron 300W bridged power line with the rest in February 1996.
carpet was replaced in early 1990.
amplifier for the sub bass. In 1990 the When the cinema reopened in
The candy bar/ticket window were
Dolby system was given a final 1984 it was with ‘War and Peace’
essentially the same in 2001 as when
upgrade to a digital compatible, CP65 (Russia). The second big feature was
built, except for refurbishing and
unit. And for the projection sound ‘Muddy River’ (Japan), together with a
minor alterations.
head an Italian Cinemaccanica slit short film.
A Ford 52KVA standby generator
optic system. The Longford’s sound Towards Christmas, Natalie Miller
was installed in the lane behind the
system was thus maintained as state- established one of The Longford’s
cinema in 1982. The changeover
great traditions – a Christmas Party in
switch stood unobtrusive and
early December with a notable new
disguised in the foyer, making the
movie opening. In December 1984 it
cinema fully self-sufficient for back
was ‘Le Bal’ (France), plus a short -
up power, meeting noise standards and
‘Private and Confidential’. ‘Le Bal’
operating efficiently. However, it was
was the first major success film for the
only run for about 400 hours in its
new Longford, and was rescreened
nine years.
during the closing ‘One Last Time
The only additions to the entry Film Festival’ in 2001. Other movies
area since AFI days were handbill
racks, poster showcases and the
illuminated street sign which was
replaced twice – the first time in 1984
and again in 1999.
Seating capacity in 1984 was 296.
During ‘Four Weddings and a
Funeral’, which was a sell-out
success, 12 flip type seats were added
along the rear wall to give a total of
308 seats. However, row A1-A7 was
10 2002 CINEMARECORD