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CINEMA AND From the Editor....
THEATRE
Bill Murdoch’s Keeping Tabs, a recollection of curtain movements in city
C A T H S theatres and the light play across them, takes us back to a ritual now close to
extinction. Bill’s story is also likely to raise queries - “I remember those curtains
HISTORICAL SOCIETY as a different colour” - a reminder of the way curtain fashions and lighting
VICTORIA INC.
schemes were changed down the years.
In Pennies for Heaven Roger Seccombe surveys entertainment mores from the
time of the first film images to now and touches on issues that I would like to see
readers follow-up with investigations of their own. There is always wallet
resistance to a rise in ticket prices, but after a century of film entertainment, have
The official journal of the Cinema And
prices moved beyond the easy reach of the audience the whole thing was dreamed
Theatre Historical Society.
up for? The answer may surprise.
ISSN 1443-3664 • Published quarterly
★ Lawrence Bros. Pictures (Issue 39) mentioned many theatres, each worthy
of a follow-up story. Alf Lawrence was not always specific in his memoir. Brian
Editor: Ian Smith
★ Hunt has done a nice job on the Cheltenham Memorial Hall, but the Verne East
Malvern was elusive. Just in time for this edition, an e-mail arrived from Lynda
CinemaRecord Artwork:
Hickley enclosing her father’s memories of his time with Alf Lawrence. Here was a
Bill Kerr, Optimum Design 9419 4144
potential source of more information. I phoned Ern Bruhn about the Verne and
★
asked the big question, “What year did it open?” He had an idea but was not
The main aim of CATHS and this
certain. A few minutes later Ern rang back. He had remembered that the opening
publication is to accurately document and
night coincided with a family celebration and told me day, month and year. “And
create an archive of the history of
what was the first program?” A chuckle was followed by, “Now you’re pushing too
cinemas and theatres in Victoria.
hard.” Never mind. Thanks to Ern, that date is another exclusive for
Input in the form of articles,
CinemaRecord. (See page 23) – Ian Smith
constructive criticism, and substantiated
dispute of printed matter is welcome, and
necessary to enable us to reach our
objective. NOW SHOWING!
Opinions expressed are those of the
Editor or contributors, and unless
expressly stated so, are not necessarily
those of the Cinema And Theatre
4 Letters
Historical Society.
Articles printed in CinemaRecord 5 Newsreel
should not be reproduced without the
permission of the author or the editor. 6 Keeping Tabs - Bill Murdoch
All photos are from the collection of 10 Pennies For Heaven - Roger Seccombe
the person or organisation stated. Every
effort has been made to trace the 16 Apollo Glenferrie - Ian Smith
ownership of copyright. In the event of
any questions arising as to the use of any 18 Red Roses Tonight - Guy Morgan
material, the author and publisher will be
happy to make the necessary corrections 22 Lawrence Bros. Another Perspective - Ern Bruhn
in future printings.
Contributions and suggestions for 23 Verne East Malvern - Ian Smith
CinemaRecord are most welcome. Please 24 Theatres of Cheltenham - Brian Hunt
contact the Editor if you are planning
to write an article for the magazine. 27 McLeod’s New Movie Palace - Reg Jones
We may be able to assist you with
28 Marvellous Memories - Surrey Years - Roderick Smith
information, contacts, etc and it will help
us with forward planning.
29 Which Theatre Was That? - Some Answers
★
Contact: Ian Smith
Telephone: 5443 0692 (1-9pm) Images in this publication are from CATHS-V Archive unless credited to another source.
Email: ijsmith@impulse.net.au
Postal Address: PO Box 476, Front Cover: The Regent Collins Street when curtains were a part of the show.
Bentleigh, Victoria, 3204 Here the main curtain descends flattening the billows of inner satin. See
Keeping Tabs page 6. Image Source: The Fred Page Collection

CINEMARECORD 2003 3