Page 5 - RD_2015_12

There were many great memories of The Howsons moved to AMV4
my two stints at the Twilight, including Albury and then to STW9, Perth in
the night the manager, Eddie O'Donnell 1966. On their return to Melbourne
came into the bio box and asked me for Denzil appeared in many of the iconic
some scrap film. He later came back TV series of the time: Homicide,
and presented Perc. with three pieces of Division 4, The Sullivans and Prisoner.
film taped up to represent an Denzil loved the stage. His most
intermittent loop saying, “I thought you notable appearances were in Flexitime,
might like some spare loops since you Amadeus and Me and My Girl. He also
keep losing them.” (Perc. was always appeared in at least ten feature films
checking with his fingers to make sure including Mission Impossible and Phar
that the film was running correctly on Lap.
the sprockets, but quite often lost the It was in Denzil’s back- yard
intermittent loop in doing so). recording studio that many programs
I later went back to Melbourne to made with friends later entertained
work with Hoyts, and obtained my CATHS members. Who could forget
Projectionist Licence. After working for the story of ‘My Flaming Aunt’ or the
various theatre chains, I can say that I outcome of crossed radio and telephone
have totally enjoyed my time in the lines at 3YB, which managed to mix a
cinema industry. radio drama with a local dairy farmer
Fred Sandall, Traralgon Vale Denzil Howson who was trying to phone a Vet to get
New Members 1918 - 2005 help for his sick dairy cow!
Denzil was a keen supporter of
The CATHS committee and Denzil Howson, pioneer of
members welcome the following: television in Victoria, true gentleman CATHS. He was always ready to
Craig Blencoe, Glenroy. and a friend to many CATHS members, entertain at Christmas with a seemingly
endless stream of jokes and stories.
Ben De Luca, Bowen (Qld) died on Saturday 17 September 2005 at
There was much to celebrate at
Brett Enright, Teesdale. the age of 87, after a long illness.
Denzil's funeral. Afterwards one
Michael Galimany, East Melbourne. Denzil’s energy and ability to CATHS was heard to comment,
Bruce Gardner, Ascot Vale entertain will be long remembered, and “Nothing beats going out to a full
his great love of theatre and cinema was
Caroline Harper, St. Kilda. house,” a sentiment Denzil would have
obvious from his many contributions to
John Hawkins, East Kew supported.
the arts and this Society.
Keith Gulliver, Pascoe Vale South CATHS members extend their
Denzil’s career began in radio
John Hughes, Brunswick. sympathy to our friend Dot, and to the
engineering, but he is best remembered
Cynthia Elliott, Mitcham. couple's two children, Claire and Paul.
as an actor and writer.
George Laziridis, East Kew He started out with Howard Radio, Peter Wolfenden.
Robert Nailon, Gymea (Qld.) a manufacturer of radio receivers, but it Geoff Bielefeld
John Payne, Mulgrave was broadcasting which caught his CATHS has learned of the death of
Barbara Ranking, North Balwyn interest and brought him to 3YB another member, Mr. Geoff Bielfeld,
David Roberts, Travancore Warrnambool, where he became formerly of Kelvin Grove Brisbane.
involved in all aspects of the business.
Ken Roberts, North Coburg Determined to work in theatre, the
Gordon Scott, Attwood In the late 1940s, Denzil was the young man was a persistent presence at
voice of the syndicated Argus the stage door of Her Majesty’s
Anne Wilson, Churchill.
newspaper reports, which he read Brisbane, and was eventually given a
morning and evening over a number of job there making and painting scenery.
The CATHS Kind radio stations. A part time job with The theatre was equipped with two
Derek Atkins, 48, a York man Home Cinemas in Melbourne, which Philips DP70 - 70/35mm projectors and
with an obsession for Britain’s 97 specialised in 9.5mm film, came in in time Geoff became the operator. He
Odeon cinemas, says he goes to handy after he and Dot married in branched into screening 16 & 35mm
study the décor and not to watch 1951. He also worked for ABC radio films and was instrumental in setting up
films. He has visited an Odeon and Radio Australia. Movies in the Parks. Geoff was also
eight times a week since 1988. Television started in Australia in involved in the back-stage operations of
- Reported in The Age, 28 January 1956, and when GTV9 Melbourne Opera Queensland.
2004. opened ahead of schedule to televise Geoff was a keen home cinema
the Olympic Games, Denzil was on enthusiast. His theatre became a mini-
hand as a cameraman and director. He Her Majesty’s, with artefacts from the
NEWSREEL has been held over. became a program manager at GTV9 original, including one of the Philips’
from 1956 to 1963. projectors. (He sourced a second one
from WA.) Geoff is survived by his
wife Maida. - Mike Trickett

CINEMARECORD 2005 5