Page 3 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2002 #37

CINEMA AND From the Editor....
THEATRE
One pleasing aspect of the Editor role is to see a writer branch into new
C A T H S territory. Noel Kerr’s accounts of his youthful misadventures in and around theatres

have brought many smiles. This time Noel researched the story of one family’s dream
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VICTORIA INC. to build and run the Marysville Theatre. Noel brings an eye for local detail and
empathy with those prepared to talk to him. Writing a theatre history is a quest with
an uncertain outcome. Sometimes, what seems a likely source of information turns
out to be a let down. There may be no breakthrough, or it may come unexpectedly. As
The official journal of the Cinema And Noel said, “The bonus from doing the article was the many pleasant memories of
Theatre Historical Society Victoria Inc. nice people who were only too happy to help me.” Hopefully that feeling will inspire
ISSN 1443-3664 • Published quarterly
Noel, and other readers, to tackle more histories.
★
Noel’s article is complemented by the final instalment of the Lawrence brothers’
Editor: Ian Smith
★ adventures in film exhibition. This time Alf Lawrence, and his employee Tommy
Atkinson give some insights of the hard work, the physical danger and the pleasures
CinemaRecord Artwork:
Bill Kerr, Optimum Design 9419 4144. of building a cinema chain.
★ Gerry Kennedy brings his experience with theatre histories to tell an important
The main aim of CATHS and this
story. The Village Toorak was the first of a new breed of cinemas that overthrew the
publication is to accurately document and
create an archive of the history of cinema plaster palace mentality. The planners of the Village bravely went further than some
and theatre in Victoria. other designs of the time to promote quality materials over flamboyance. Imagine the
Input in the form of articles,
choice if you lived near that stretch of Toorak Road – go to the Regent South Yarra
constructive criticism, and substantiated
one week and the Village the next – that’s a rich film-going life! – Ian Smith
dispute of printed matter is welcome, and
necessary to enable us to reach our
objective.
Opinions expressed are those of the NOW SHOWING!
Editor or contributors, and unless
expressly stated so, are not necessarily
those of the Cinema And Theatre
Historical Society - Victoria Inc.
4 Letters
Articles printed in CinemaRecord
should not be reproduced without the
6 Newsreel
permission of the author or the editor.
All photos are from the collection of
the person or organisation stated. Every 8 CATHS-V On Tour - Gerry Kennedy
effort has been made to trace the
ownership of copyright. In the event of 12 Marysville Theatre - Noel Kerr
any questions arising as to the use of any
material, the author and publisher will be 14 Sunbury’s First Pictures - Peter Wolfenden
happy to make the necessary corrections
in future printings.
16 Village Theatre Toorak - Gerry Kennedy
Contributions and suggestions for
CinemaRecord are most welcome. Please
22 Lawrence Brothers Talkies - Alf and Joss build a circuit
contact the Editor if you are planning
to write an article for the magazine.
32 Marvellous Memories
We may be able to assist you with
information, contacts, etc and it will help
us with forward planning. Front Cover: The photo from The Buloke Times when the CATHS-V tour group
★ were in Charlton October 2002.
Back Row: (L to R) John Fitzsimons, Peter Wolfenden, Barry Wraith,
Contact: Ian Smith
Maureen Barrand, Don Flowers, Maya and Reuben Lazarus, Shane Moore
Telephone: 5443 0692 (1-9pm)
Centre: Steve Walsh (co-proprietor The Rex ),Wally Perkins, Ingrid Asche,
Email: ijsmith@impulse.net.au
Mike Trickett, Gerry Kennedy
Postal Address: PO Box 476,
Front: Graham and Jean Smythe, Julie Ross, Barbara Trickett,
Bentleigh, Victoria, 3204
Margaret Flowers, Brian Miller, Jim Barrand.
Image: Jenny Pollard
CINEMARECORD 2002 3