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Above: This display ad from 1949 illustrates "The Portable Arc" Model Harmour and Heath, the type used
in the Star Newsreel Theatrette. The 8 inch mirror is the same as that used on the 35mm machines.

Rich collectors will drool over these rare gems that we so casually relegated to the scrap metal
yard or bulldozed into the rubble of some ancient picture palace, and they will shed a tear and
say, “If only”

In pride of place a Harmour and Heath will quietly click away, screening a scratched remnant of
film that somehow escaped the ravages of acid syndrome. And the elite critics too will wax lyrical
and proclaim the remnant to be “a masterpiece of Australian Cinema History … ah ... if only”
Sadly, I won't be here to see it all.
Special thanks to my workmate, the late Brian Miller who was the Operator at the Star Newsreel
Theatrette over half a century ago, firstly for his reminiscences and then for the revelation that
the Star Theatrette is still operating! Wow I can't believe it. But it has a new name now, and
shows 'X' rated videos.

Photos and Graphics from Kev Franzi's Australian Cinema Heritage Collection.

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