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Letters Inspiration for an Empress?
I am currently researching the
Empress theatre in Prahran and have
asked myself the question posed in
Australia CinemaRecord number 51; was the
ABN 37 195 378 179 exterior influenced by a London
Reg A0020747R theatre?
Based on photographs taken by my
Australians in Hollywood.
The aims of CATHS are: to record the son, I suggest that the famous London
history of cinemas and theatres, and to Your book review of the life of J. P. Pavilion (right) might qualify.
promote interest in theatre heritage and McGowan (CR 51), questioned how
architecture, and other related areas. many other Australians made a The exterior of the Pavilion dated
from 1885. The theatre began to show
Patrons: successful career in Hollywood, yet are
Frank Van Straten OAM Peter Smith OAM now largely forgotten. films on a regular basis around 1911
Philip Brady and it remained a cinema until closure
One I would like to mention is Mae
Committee: Busch. Born in Melbourne, Mae made in 1981.
President: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 her first film in Hollywood in 1912. Roger Seccombe, Mitcham
Vice President: Peter Wolfenden 9744 2570 Between 1919 and 1925 she was
Secretary: Mike Trickett 5278 1986 directed in three film by the legendary
Treasurer: Barrie Wraith 9435 9785 Erich von Stroheim. Mae’s enduring • •
•• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • • •
★ claim to fame was her role as Mrs. •• NEWSREEL ••
Archivist: Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 Hardy in 14 Laurel and Hardy films. • CINEMA, THEATRE & •
Central Victoria Co-ordinator: In 1994 I was one of the contributors ••
••
Fred Page 5444 0428 (Bendigo) • •
Gippsland Co-ordinator: to a plaque placed at Mae’s former home •• SHOWBUSINESS NEWS •
Gerry Kennedy 5174 1870 (Traralgon) in Albert Park (see below) to • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• •
Events Co-ordinator: commemorate her achievements.
Brian Miller 9557 7446 David Lascelles, Wellington (N.Z.) Reprieve for the Chauvel
Film Buffs Group: The Chauvel cinema in the Sydney
Mike Trickett 5278 1986 suburb of Paddington, re-opened
Publications Sales: Monday 24 July after a protracted and
Garry Saunders 9812 7227
Membership Secretary: Peter O’Reilly very public battle to save the city's only
See CATHS’ postal address alternative cinema.
CinemaRecord Editor:
Ian Smith
iansmith8@bigpond.com
CATHS website:
www.caths.org.au
Postal address:
PO Box 476, Bentleigh 3204.
★
Membership
Annual membership subscription is $40,
(overseas subscribers $50) and
members receive four copies of
CinemaRecord, notification of events,
and copies of the agenda and minutes
of all meetings. There is no joining fee.
Meetings According to one report on Radio
Meetings are held on the last Sunday of National, the volume of correspondence
February, April, June, August, October & to the Lord Mayor of Sydney about the
November. need to retain the Chauvel was the most
Archive ever received on an arts-related subject.
The Archive is located in the Prahran The white knights are the City of
Mechanics’ Institute, 140 High Street
Sydney, which owns the building, and
Prahran, 9510 3393. The Archive will
be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm Palace Cinemas. Antonio Zeccola of
Palace has promised to build on the
on the Saturday before each meeting
(see above), and at other times by Chauvel’s history of eclectic
appointment with the archivist. Top: Mae as a brunette, and later as a programming.
Publications blonde, and the commemorative plaque.
Back issues of CinemaRecord, other
publications, CDs and videos are
available at meetings. Items are also
available by mail. Please contact Garry
Saunders on 9812 7227 for details.

4 2006 CINEMARECORD