Page 13 - CR

Photo: Colin Flint From CIVIC to STATE - and as MODERN as TOMORROW!

I remember Meg being on the Movie It was suggested that Meg looked like John Cronin arranged the best farewell
Ball Committee for many years and in Rita Hayworth - with the personality at the Capri Theatre. Whilst Chris
the 1972 Golden Anniversary Souvenir of Rosalind Russell. At a fancy dress McPhee played movie themes on the
Program (50 years) it lists Meg Thomas occasion she once went as Carmen Wurlitzer Organ, many photos were
for Publicity/Promotions. Mr. and Miranda - complete with the fruit-hat! projected onto the big cinema screen.
Mrs. Michael Pate were the Guests-of-
Honour at the Wonderland Ballroom on It was an extremely fond and fitting
Friday the 28 July. farewell for a grand lady of Adelaide’s
th
cinema industry - Meg Thomas.
If my memory serves me well, that was
the year we did a floorshow for Puff ‘n Adieu Meg – and thanks for
Stuff with Meg arranging the costumes the memories! +
through the John Martin’s Theatre Shop.
I was a pageboy and a 16-year old Keith
Morrell portrayed the star character.

There were many great movies that
premiered at the Adelaide State and
Meg worked there from the beginning
with the film Picnic in November 1957.
I recall the Australian film They’re a
Weird Mob premiered there with the
Governor in attendance.
There were many fancy-dress parties and
All programs commenced with the cross-dressers were always welcome.
National Anthem and the audience always On one occasion a couple of men dressed
stood up! The program would then start as women used the women’s toilet and
with Cinesound News; a short (or two) Meg brushed it off to the security guard Photographs of Meg Thomas
plus a cartoon before interval – after which “Well that’s Show-Biz!” kindly provided by Keith Morrell.
came the main feature. The State screened
four sessions daily, six days a week.

Keith Morrell recalls a night-time
incident in Hindley Street when Meg’s
Fiat 850 sports-car broke down with
a flooded carburettor. Next thing, a
group of rough looking bikies turned
up: “In trouble lady?” and Meg thought
to herself “I might be in more trouble
now!” But they recognized her and said
“You work in the State Theatre don’t
you?”… They fixed the Fiat and Meg
was soon on her way home!

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