Page 5 - RD_2015_12

FILLING IN THE GAPS Reading Entertainment Helms IN MEMORIUM
The RCA Wasteland Development Noel Kerr 1934-2005
speaker with A former brickworks site at One of CATHS kind and jovial
the switch on Burwood Heights, east of Melbourne members, Noel Kerr passed away
top in the seems set for transformation. suddenly just before Christmas 2005.
article on Planning approval for the 21 ha site Noel will be remembered for his
Shepparton to be rezoned, allows Reading humorous articles, usually appropriate
Drive In Entertainment to submit detailed plans for the Christmas issue, in which he
(CR 48), for council consideration. recounted misadventures in and around
reminded me The proposal is for a mix of theatres and on the fringe of show
that in most residential, retail, commercial office business. His Disaster at the Regent
Sydney and leisure precincts. (CR30) was every youth’s nightmare -
drive-ins that switch, next to the -Whitehorse Leader, 1/3/06 standing up a girl because he was
volume control was short-lived. waiting at the Regent and she was
Main-Stream Cinema Vacates
In the ‘on’ position the switch waiting at the Plaza.
activated a red light intended to catch Bourke Street. Noel trained as a printer and was
the eyes of the ‘Trolley boys’ who trusted with the advertising copy for
pushed a cart loaded with drinks and shows like The Sullivans. His training
confectionary around the ramps. gave him a sharp eye for suggestions
Not surprisingly the boys couldn’t for CinemaRecord.
see all of the red lights at any one time. His hobbies included jazz, and
Patrons waited and waited, and made writing about jazz musicians. He was a
many complaints about lack of service. member of the Melbourne Jazz Club ,
When I commenced working in Camera Club and Black and White.
drive-ins I found those switches a Noel suffered poor health in his
nuisance when repainting the speakers later years, which curtailed his
and the J-boxes, so I removed all the activities, but not his humour.
When Village closed their
lights on the top of the J-boxes, and
Melbourne inner-city complex on Fittingly, his last contribution to CR
filled the holes with plastic putty.
Wednesday 15 March 2006, they was in the Christmas issue. CATHS’
Visually I didn't like the fact that severed the last link to a street once members extend their condolences to
the volume control now looked off synonymous with entertainment as Noel’s wife Irene. - Ian Smith
balance, so I removed all the switches much as shopping. NEW MEMBERS:
and volume controls from the front of
The Village Centre opened in 1986. November 05 -March 06
the speakers, filled the two holes, then
Ron Monsborough, then Australia’s
drilled new holes in the centre for the CATHS warmly welcomes:
leading cinema architect, described his
volume control. With some 650 Ken Boucher, St. Kilda Sth. Vic.
handiwork as the best he had designed.
speakers throughout the field, it was a Peter Broome, Mt. Victoria NSW
Although a comparative newcomer,
task, but well worth the effort. Richard Davis, Nunawading Vic.
the complex could claim to uphold
William Gray, (Parramatta) NSW John Fitzgerald, Blackheath NSW
cinema history. Cinema 2 was built
over the New Victoria/Strand, which Richard Goldspink, Newport Beach
opened in 1915. To its west were the NSW
NEWSREEL • Theatre Royal and Hoyts De Luxe. Kevin Gooding, Surrey UK
•• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • • •
•
••
CATHS’ members and the touring Jim Leworthy, Toronto, Canada
••
•
CINEMA, THEATRE & • cinema group from the UK, France and Stephen McEvoy, Long Eaton UK
••
USA inspected the complex on its last Trevor Morson, Devon UK
•
••
•
working day.
••
• •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • •• • R. V. Pauley, Regent Vic.
SHOWBUSINESS NEWS •
CORRECTIONS John Seligman, Middlesex UK
New Screens for Sun, Yarraville The article Blow Ups in issue 48 John Peto, Surrey, UK
While messages of gloom about stated that the first ‘blow-up’ from
Warren Smyth, Auckland, NZ
declining attendances and theatre 35mm to 70mm shown in Melbourne
Murray Thompson, Auckland, NZ
closures make news, owner- manager was Valley of the Dolls. David Kilderry
Grace Williams, Bendigo
Michael Smith of the Sun Yarraville has pointed out that The Great Race,
has had the foundations poured for two shown at the Capitol in 1965, preceded
additional screens. it. The fact that it was a ‘blow-up’ was
Michael’s confidence in audience kept quiet.
loyalty and potential for growth makes
CATHS Visits Reading Cinemas
a nice contrast.
Geelong in CR 49 omitted to credit
projectionist Steven Jones for his input
to the day. The event was a team effort
and this oversight is regretted.
CINEMARECORD 2006 5