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Reference Type Wide Gauge Film and Video Monthly journal
Title A Wide-Screen Epic
Author(s)Ralphe Neill
Publication Date 01-08-1997
Page Number n.p.
Comments Ralphe Neill notes that George Florence’s twin “Cinemeccanica RK60 35/70mm projectors” were sourced from a “drive-in cinema that was closing”. Neill does not elaborate on the actual source of the projectors. However, as noted in the BONZA Database article entitled “Projection Booths – Coburg” (from “Drive-Ins Downunder”) [http://bonza.rmit.edu.au/~floyd/bibliography/show_bibliography.php?database=bibliography&recordnumber=4081] the author denotes the “Coburg Drive-In’s” twin “Cinemeccanica RK60 35/70mm projectors were “sold to the ‘Astor Theatre’”. Ralphe Neill provides additional history, in that prior to these projectors’ installation in the “Coburg Drive-In” the projectors were installed in “The Regent Theatre” (prior to its closure) in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Synopsis Ralphe Neill, in his essay entitled “A Wide Screen Epic” examines the history of the “Astor Theatre” in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; particularly its development as helmed by George Florence (whom overtook the duties of manager and projectionist on September 17, 1982). Neill contends that whilst the “Astor Theatre” has been faced with multiple threats (including the arrival of television broadcasting [noted by Neill to “coincide with the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne], a “sell-out” by the owners in 1964, and multiple attempts to redevelop the location of the ‘Astor Theatre’ into a ‘bowling alley’ or ‘local council library’); the “Astor Theatre” survives through providing “something of a return to the early days” combined with “unusual and diverse programming”. Ralphe Neill elaborates that it was George Florence whom developed the alternating “two feature” presentation (one which Neill claims is “still so successful today”); and Ralphe Neill denotes Florence’s passion for the “Astor Theatre”; chronicling Florence’s efforts to internally redevelop and heighten the technical and aesthetic functions of the “Astor”. Of particular note are Florence’s technical developments (including the installation of twin “Cinemeccanica RK60 35/70mm projectors” [of which Neill notes can run at 30 frames-per-second, in addition to the standard 24 frames-per-second], a “slightly curved 50ft screen”, and a Dolby CP500-70D Sound Processor [which according to Neill is the “last Dolby 70mm pre-amplifier to be manufactured”]). From such development, Ralphe Neill states that the ‘Astor Theatre’ is one of the few venues in Melbourne that can accurately display all 16mm, 35mm-flat, 35mm-scope, and 70mm formats, and that in addition that George Florence is constantly working on “improving the presentation of all formats.”
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