Page 12 - CinemaRecord Cover Section # 45

Obviously a publicity shot ‘doctored’ for clarity. Passion Flower (MGM – 1930) featured Kay Francis and Charles Bickford. The theatre
name in leadlight was replaced by moveable letters for program advertising. (See photo previous page). Image: Clyde Simpson

Hoyts Ivanhoe movie pass. It would be presentation. Three things were Facing the short walk home
fair to say that I had more than my fair happening at once. included the disappointing prospect of
share of freebies, as Lester and I were When the cue mark appeared in the returning to the real world.
school mates at Ivanhoe State number top right corner of the ‘effects’ film, At most Saturday night shows a
2436 in Waterdale Road. At school, he Reg. would shut down the slide local fireman in full uniform would
would produce little gems in the form machine, giving a last view of the stand with arms folded at the back of
of small lengths of damaged film, clouds and the Hoyts logo. The light the dress circle. He would keep a
removed during the splicing and from the slide machine would fade as watchful eye on the audience, who
checking process by the assistant the rectifier was turned off, producing a were allowed to smoke in the theatre
operator. classic ‘fade to black’ effect. It was during the performance. His main role
On some nights Reg. Oldham and probably a necessary precaution to of course was as back up if there was a
his assistant could be relied on for a prevent the generator/rectifier system film break, or a problem involving the
novel Coming Attraction slide and film from overloading, as the number 2 highly volatile nitrate film.
presentation, immediately before the machine was also fired up and standing A Foot In The Door
main feature. Superimposed on the by to roll the main feature. The
As a school boy, the only way that I
screen as the slides were shown, a amplifier would then be reset to the
could find to become involved with the
black and white image of billowing sound-on-film position.
Ivanhoe was to enter a talent quest
clouds and a Hoyts logo was projected It was a Hoyts presentation policy based on movie characters. The heats
by No. 1 machine, adding a ‘showcase’ that the short version of the National were conducted over a couple of
effect to the slides in the centre of the Anthem be played off disc at the end of Saturday afternoons during the matinee
screen. With the amplifier in the non- the show, using the 10 inch 78 HMV session, with the grand final held on a
sync setting, a 78 rpm record, usually a recording produced by the BBC for week night. I was lucky enough to win
non-vocal version of Shuffle Off To public performances. the major prize of a Bakelite Baby
Buffalo, would support this

12 2004 CINEMARECORD