Page 18 - CR

By 1929, George Dean was living
Above: Sept. 1929 Below: October 1929
18 2011 CINEMAREC ORD
In mid 1930, original partner in
in Sydney and together with Hoyts construction of the theatre, Edward
Ltd controlled not only the Brisbane McGregor, registered his company
Lyceum, but was also the lessee of McGregor Ltd with a capital of 50,000
Sydney’s Crows Nest Theatre, the pounds to solely acquire the land and
Civic at Newcastle and was managing Lyceum premises. At the same time
director of Gladesville Theatres Ltd. he also purchased the Regent Theatre
He also held the reigns of at suburban Ashgrove after which he
Commonwealth Theatres Ltd who continued to operate both as proprietor.
controlled both the Prince of Wales and
suburban Moonah Theatre in Hobart. In November 1931, Radio 4BK was
using the talkie plant at the Lyceum
In September of that year pictures for broadcast programmes on a Sunday
could be seen as well as heard, and the night. A special application for approval
Lyceum spared no expense in ensuring had to be made to the Brisbane City
that their programs were of the highest Council to do so, and an undertaking was
calibre. Alias Jimmy Valentine together given to ensure that the theatre would
with “interesting short subjects” was remain closed whilst the equipment was
followed by an even bigger program - in use, so as not to contravene the city
the first-release of the Fox (part) talkie ordinances which did not allow Sunday
The Air Circus in which the characters picture-shows.
“dance, sing and talk and one hears
the planes as they race through the air The Lyceum stage still saw use for a
– to victory or defeat!” A combination range of purposes and live acts were
of silent, part-talkie and complete- often used as a bonus drawcard to the
talkie would continue on offer for pictures. Over the years there were a
some time, but the days of the “silents” number of times when the theatre was
were numbered. used to stage many concerts, plays and
pantomimes. There were also numerous
In November, the Lyceum touted that lectures; amateur performer trials; live
“on account of its acoustical properties draws of the popular “Golden Casket”
and the equipment installed”, it had Lottery - as well as numerous union and
been chosen to present two entirely new workers strike meetings.
talkies from November 4: Melody of
Love and Clear The Decks. On the same
program was the first-release of the
“super-serial” Tarzan the Mighty with
new chapters introduced each week!
This new line-up ousted the popular
wonder-dog Rin-Tin-Tin starring in
Frozen River.
The “SILENTS” were not “SILENT”!
Professional musician, Jim Napier provides some insight into the days of the silent
picture-show:
Six days per week, he played in the Lyceum Theatre Orchestra on the 2-5 pm and 8-
11pm shifts to bring the silent movies alive.
He was also required to man the Pianola on morning shifts on a regular basis.
Monday and Wednesday mornings each week were earmarked for mandatory
rehearsals to learn the new musical scores which came with each week's movie.
It was the local musicians who controlled the rise and fall of emotions according to
the silent actions on the screen, and it was their live music which conveyed the
pathos and humour, the laughter and tragedy, so vital to "lift" the voiceless images
on celluloid.
At the nearby Tivoli Theatre the orchestra often numbered up to 25 players!
For these professional musicians, the highlight of each session was not the musical
score accompanying the film but the Overture - the Orchestra's own special selection
to entertain the patrons and "show off their wares"!