Page 4 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Happenings By Fred Page

After what several members considered to be a January drought due to CATHS-V being in recess, February
started the year off with a great 44 member turn out to the Rivoli and ABC Royal (Waverley) inspections.

The Rivoli retains an air of elegant prosperity and although it's a shame that the original theatre has been
modified it's great to see that the maintenance requirements have been kept up and the property is in great
shape. A great deal of interest was shown in the stage house which is still in near original condition and the
likely location of two boutique theatres in the near future.

Unfortunately we experienced a hold up at the Waverley due to lack of communication between office staff and
management in spite of written and telephone arrangements being confirmed the week of the visit, however
due to the persistence of President Kennedy the building was finally opened 45 minutes late.

Manager Frank Zaxos is very proud of the renovations the owners have carried out. The original art deco style
paint work has been restored in what he calls classical colours, at least 50 of them, but they are much more
garish than what would have been the original.

The stalls floor has been leveled and covered in marble tiles as the theatre is now a cabaret. The rake of the
lounge area has been retained, but instead of the usual "steps" the area has been "terraced" to take tables and
chairs. What was once the dress circle has been divided from the auditorium and is now a level conference
area with the old bio box high above and deserted.

The regular meeting on 25 February discussed the usual items with an extensive report on matters receiving
Committee attention. It was pleasing to welcome a couple of our interstate members, Colin Flint from Adelaide
and ian Hanson from Sydney, both of whom have had many theatre histories published in "Kino".

After morning tea we sat back in anticipation of a great slide show presented by I an. We were not disappointed.
It was great to see what we once had - The Savoy looking much more elegant than the depiction of B&W
photos, The Regent, South Yarra, a theatre to mourn, wonderful views of the original Capitol and many more.
ian your trip to Melbourne to show this treasure house is greatly appreciated, we hope you can come again.
Many thanks also to Rod How and Brian Beatty for assisting with equipment and presentation.

In the audience was Evan Hercules, the founder of the Victorian Theatres Trust and a Friend of the U.K.
Theatres Trust. Evan is now a member of CATHS-V, welcome!

The best laid plans occasionally come unstuck and such was the case after the slide show as the serial -
Spysmaster - had to be abandoned yet again due to the 16mm projector' sound failing and the usual problem
- shortage of time.

We had beet luck at our annual picture night at the Roxy. The "house full" sign went up three weeks before the
show and the film "On The Town" which starred Gene Kelly was a fortunate choice as it was an appropriate "in
remembrance" following his death earlier in the year.

As usual Ken presented the show in true Roxy style and already it has been decided to run the 1997 show over
three nights as several people had to be turned away.

Grahams Movie Medley, presented after the April meeting met with predictable success. The program included
Rhapsody in Rivets - a musical cartoon, a colourised Betty Boop cartoon from 1934, a Tom & Jerry and a very
condensed but highly enjoyed version of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" in 8mm CinemaScope - all with
remarkably good sound. Thanks Graham .
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