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From the Editor....


                                                    This issue puts the spotlight on a rare occurrence: the work of a talented
                                                 student writing a specific cinema history.
                                                    An interest in theatre buildings, or theatre in general, is usually the province of
                                                 those who were 'inoculated' in childhood by an outing to the Christmas
                                                 pantomime, or a 'night at the pictures' when the phrase conjured almost as much
                                                 pre-show magic as the feature attraction.
                                                    How exciting then to find that 16-year old Niall Maurici was prepared to enter
                                                 the National History Competition 2006 on the subject of the State North Hobart,
                                                 and win it.  His essay is reprinted here, with additional photos kindly supplied by
           The official journal of the Cinema And  Adrian Jacobson, who has an equally interesting association with the same
               Theatre Historical Society Inc.
                                                 theatre.
                        Australia
                                                    This issue includes another chapter in an occasional series on the development
           ISSN 1443-3664 • Published quarterly
                           ★                     of theatre in the western world. This time Cameron Hall takes us back to Roman
                                                 times. Some commentators conclude that it is impossible now to understand much
                    Editor: Ian Smith
                           ★                     of the thought processes of the peoples who so strongly shaped the world we have
                                                 inherited. On the other hand, when you read here how the populace forsook
                 CinemaRecord Artwork:
                                                 structured drama for low comedy, the thought occurs - some things haven't
             Bill Kerr, Optimum Design 9419 4144  changed that much after all.
                           ★
                                                    New Zealand theatre historian David Lascelles has provided our cover story,
              The main aim of CATHS and this
                                                 the Regent Dunedin, an example of how local architects created their variation on
           publication is to accurately document and
                                                 formal Regent style. For readers who don't know the layout of Dunedin, the
           create an archive of the history of
                                                 Octagon, where the Regent is located, is the equivalent of a city square, but with
           cinemas and theatres.
                                                 more 'sides'.
              Input in the form of articles,
                                                    Peter Wolfenden's coverage of the many outlets for cinema in the town of
           constructive criticism, and substantiated
                                                 Murray Bridge in South Australia is an example of a specific story serving to
           dispute of printed matter is welcome and
                                                 explain a general phenomenon - the time when moving pictures were the most
           necessary to enable us to reach our
                                                 exciting of all entertainments.
           objective.
              Opinions expressed are those of the    By the way, in case you are thinking - what next for Niall Maurici? - he hopes
           Editor or contributors and unless     to become a film director. From all of us at CATHS, good luck Niall.
           expressly stated so, are not necessarily  –  Ian Smith
           those of the Cinema And Theatre
           Historical Society Inc.                      NOW SHOWING!
              Articles printed in CinemaRecord
           should not be reproduced without the
           permission of the author or the editor.
              All photos are from the collection of  4   Letters and Newsreel
           the person or organisation stated. Every  6  The State, North Hobart  - Niall Maurici
           effort has been made to trace the          The story of a feisty cinema survivor
           ownership of copyright. In the event of
                                                 10   Silver Screens of Murray Bridge  - Peter Wolfenden
           any questions arising as to the use of any  A proud river town attracted many show people
           material, the author and publisher will be
           happy to make the necessary corrections  16  The Regent Dunedin  - David Lascelles
           in future printings.                       Fresh ideas enliven Regent-style
              Contributions and suggestions for  22   Regent Dunedin: Inspiration from Classical Architecture
           CinemaRecord are most welcome. Please      Ross Thorne explains an interesting feature
           contact the Editor if you are planning
                                                 24   Theatres of the Roman Age  - Cameron Hall
           to write an article for the magazine.      Rome appropriates Greek culture
           We may be able to assist you with
                                                 30   Memoirs of a Film Distributor - Peter Broome
           information, contacts, etc and it will help
           us with forward planning.                  Television rules, and Fox steps into the thick of it
                           ★                     34  At the Paramount Maryborough  - Roderick Smith and Kate Branton
                                                      Recollections of good times over thirty years
                    Contact: Ian Smith
               Telephone: 5443 0692 (1-9pm)
               Email: iansmith8@bigpond.com        Images in this publication are from CATHS Archive unless credited to another source.
                Postal Address: PO Box 476,
                  Bentleigh, Victoria, 3204      Cover: The jewel of the Octagon in Dunedin: The Regent Theatre, from a pen
                                                 sketch by Shona McFarlane for the Otago Theatre Trust.
                                                                                       CINEMARECORD 2007     3
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