Page 5 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

because of economic circumstances and VICTORIA
partly because of the indifferent Time To Party
drawing power of much of the available The original 1962 screen of the
product. But the Capri has a diverse Dromana Drive-In, trashed by storms
income stream, a prudent committee in July 2008, has been rebuilt. Before
and management team, and the inherent the storm the drive-in was a triple-
advantage of having very few paid screen, and now it’s a triple again.
employees and a loyal, hardworking Because the screen took so long to
and professional volunteer staff ”. repair, owner Paul Whitaker was
The organ, widely considered to be concerned that the view of a derelict
the finest such instrument outside the mess had become a turn-off to many, so
United States, is currently undergoing he decided to throw a party. The screen
refurbishment. WurliTzer copy chests was re-launched with a screening of
are being replaced by genuine ones, Australia on Saturday 29 November.
there is extensive re-leathering of The film was preceded by a
motors, new piston sets for the four barbecue, horsemanship
manual console, and the electrification demonstrations, fireworks and
of the former Regent Sydney/Plaza searchlights, with prizes for the person
Melbourne two manual console and its dressed in the best outback gear.
connection to the computerized organ Doncaster Opening Crimps Hoyts
control system. This now sits on the
The owner has stipulated that A strong opening by Village
stage and can be used to play the organ
Dendy management must paint the Doncaster (see CR 61) has affected
in conjunction with the main key-desk
interior before vacating. This seems business, at least temporarily, at Hoyts
or alone. This is the only theatre organ
silly, as it will cost thousands of Northland.
in Australia apart from the former State
dollars, and the building could be
Melbourne installation that has had two IMAX at Highpoint
demolished, but the owner is keen to
operating consoles, and is more Hoyts IMAX venture, flagged in
try to lease the building as a cinema.
versatile, in that the stop tabs and CR 60, opened in December at Hoyts
The owners of the Globe in Fortitude
pistons will be fully operational. They Highpoint. Dubbed ‘Minimax’ by
Valley are said to be interested, even to
will be played together during the insiders, the process uses a twin ZK
the extent of taking it back to one
festival of theatre organ music to be video projection system, not the 15
auditorium. This could easily be done.
held over Easter this year. (Bookings perforation 70mm film of the regular
and enquiries (08) 8352 1564 or The twinning of the George IMAX.
tosa2009@netspace.net.au) “We know involved putting a wall across the Hamilton Loses Cinema
that times are difficult,” continued centre of the auditorium. The original Reg Boulter has closed his 140-seat
Brian, “but from the committee on proscenium became the screen for cinema in the Hamilton Civic Centre.
downwards, the TOSA (SA) Cinema 2 and the original projection When CATHS visited in 2007, Reg
membership which wholly owns the room became the projection room for explained the difficulty of capturing
theatre, the volunteer staff, and the Cinema 1. Both auditoria feature the and holding audiences. The Civic
professional management and original George ceiling and side walls, Centre is a mix of 1970s additions -
projection teams, are determined that although the left side of Cinema 1 has a Library, Art Gallery and cinema - to the
the theatre will survive and go on to false side-wall (with decor matching former town hall, which is now a
greater things. It is too great an asset to the George) in front of the original Performing Arts Theatre.
Adelaide to be allowed to fail, and this decor. This is to provide entry to the
will just not happen.” front cinema. Above it is the Reg initially screened in the big
passageway for projectionist access to theatre, found it unsuitable and moved
More information about this unique
the second projection room. Let’s hope across the hall to the smaller venue.
institution can be found at
the Globe interest averts demolition. Now even that isn’t working and
www.capri.org.au
(See also page 32). Hamilton is the loser.
QUEENSLAND
CATHS Inspects Dendy Brisbane Palace At Petrie Plaza Northcote Building Sold
Palace 6 at Petrie Barracks had a The former cinema and vaudeville
Thirteen people from the
strong opening day on 26 November house, an on-and-off reception centre
Queensland chapter visited the Dendy
2008. after the theatre closed, was sold at a
George Street on 15 November 2008,
receiver’s auction on 4 December 2008
before it closed for good. Friendly staff A Partial Re-Open
opened all parts of the building for Schonnell Cinema, which closed in for $3.92 million. The dilapidated Art
inspection, including basement areas of 2006 is screening again on selected Deco frontage is a striking feature, but
the original Lyceum. This space was days of the week. Only the 180-seat has no heritage protection.
used for scenes in the local horror film Cinema 2 is used.
Undead, released a few years ago.
Roof top Cinema
Limes Boutique hotel in Fortitude
Valley has a rooftop cinema screening
on Monday and Tuesday nights.

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