guide to the r.j. lucas archive in the powerhouse...

GUIDE TO

THE R.J. LUCAS ARCHIVE

IN THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

Helen Yoxall 2008

CONTENTS

Biographical Note

Series List

Series Descriptions and Item Lists

COLLECTED ARCHIVES BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

2007/191/1

Lucas, Robert James

Registration Number:

Creator:

Robert James (Bob) Lucas was born in Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand on 21 July 1908, the second

youngest of five children. The family moved to Australia when Lucas about eight. Following the death

of his father, Lucas left school at about the age of 15 to help support the family. He became a lolly boy

at the Haymarket Theatre, George Street, Sydney and later an assistant projectionist. He studied

electrical engineering by correspondence and gained his electrician's licence. He left the Haymarket

Theatre in July 1928.

Lucas joined the staff of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Sydney in 1929. In 1931, when he married Grace

Ralston Woods of Gladesville at Birchgrove, Sydney, his occupation was recorded as "sound

projectionist". The couple had 11 children and lived at Gladesville and Drummoyne.

Lucas became the Chief Technician of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Australia and was responsible for the

technical operation of the nation's Metro theatres circuit. He made several business trips overseas - to

the USA in 1947 where he inspected MGM operations in New York and California and visited

manufacturers of cinema equipment and again in 1954 where he attended the XXVI Academy Awards

ceremony. Also in 1954 MGM sent Lucas to Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong to assist in the

demonstrations of the new Perspecta Stereophonic Sound system. Lucas also made a working visit to

Bombay, India in 1972. He retired in 1973 after 45 years of service to MGM. He died on 8 April 1987.

COLLECTED ARCHIVES SERIES LIST

Lucas, Robert James

Reg. Number Series Title Date

Creator:

2007/191/1-1 Photographs 1929-1972

2007/191/1-2 Files 1946-1987

2007/191/1-3 Membership certificates 1947-1979

2007/191/1-4 Cinema operation manuals 1927-1950

2007/191/1-5 Theatre data cards 1969-1975

2007/191/1-6 Technical leaflets re cinema products 1940s-60s

2007/191/1-7 Cinema industry journals 1939-1984

2007/191/1-8 Souvenir programmes 1929-1970

2007/191/1-9 Correspondence 1945-1971

2007/191/1-10 Record of theatre expenditure 1937-1942

2007/191/1-11 Prospectus, Minerva Centre Limited 1937

2007/191/1-12 Miscellaneous papers 1952-1985

COLLECTED ARCHIVES SERIES DESCRIPTION

Registration Number: 2007/191/1-1

Creators: Lucas, Robert James

Series Title: Photographs

Date Range: 1929-1972

Physical Characteristics: Photographic prints, mostly black & white, some colour, various

sizes, placed in two archival albums by the Museum.

Description: Photographs (141) re cinema history, collected by Robert James

Lucas, Australia/Canada/Hong Kong/India/Singapore/USA,

1929-1972

Cinemas depicted in the photos include the Regent Theatre,

Melbourne, 1929, Haymarket Theatre, Sydney, 1920s, Cathay

Theatre, Singapore, 1954, Liberty Theatre, Hong Kong, 1954, St

James Theatre, Sydney, 1930s-1955, Metro Theatre, Bourke Street,

Melbourne, c1963-65, Metro Theatre, Brisbane, 1966 and Metro

Cinema, Bombay, 1972. Also included are portraits of Lucas and his

MGM colleagues. Most of the photographs are quality prints by

commercial photographers.

Arrangement: Roughly chronological

Dimensions: Shelf Length m 0.08

Box Number: PA1 and PA2 and Box 1

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title: Photographs

ITEM LIST

Item Number BoxItem Title

PA12007/191/1-1/1 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of Regent Theatre,

Commercial Photographic Company, Melbourne, Victoria,

1929?

Exterior of the Regent Theatre, Collins Street, Melbourne. The

light bulb signs on the awning above the entrance read

'STAGE', 'THE TRAIL OF 98 AND', TALKIES' and 'PLAZA

TALKIES'. 'The Trail of 98' was a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

silent film about the Klondike Gold Rush released in the USA

in March 1928. An awning on the building to the right of the

theatre reads 'CEDRIC H BALLANTYNE / AND

ASSOCIATES / ARCHITECTS / C.S.STEELE M.I.C.E. /

CONSULTING ENGINEER'.

PA12007/191/1-1/2 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of Regent Theatre,

Commercial Photographic Company, Melbourne, Victoria,

1929?

Exterior of the Regent Theatre, Collins Street, Melbourne. The

light bulb signs on the awning above the entrance read

'STAGE', 'THE TRAIL OF 98 AND', TALKIES' and 'PLAZA

TALKIES'. 'The Trail of 98' was a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

silent film about the Klondike Gold Rush released in the USA

in March 1928. An awning on the building to the right of the

theatre reads 'CEDRIC H BALLANTYNE / AND

ASSOCIATES / ARCHITECTS / C.S.STEELE M.I.C.E. /

CONSULTING ENGINEER'.

PA12007/191/1-1/3 Photographic print, black & white, main auditorium of Regent

Theatre, Commercial Photographic Company, Melbourne,

Victoria, 1929?

Showing the right side of the auditorium, looking towards the

stage and the state box from the stalls.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing the right side of the auditorium, looking towards the

stage and the state box from the stalls.

PA12007/191/1-1/5 Photographic print, black & white, interior staircase in Regent


Victoria, 1929?

PA12007/191/1-1/6 Photographic print, black & white, interior staircase in Regent


Victoria, 1929?


PA12007/191/1-1/7 Photographic print, black & white, main foyer of Regent


Victoria, 1929?

Showing staircases, balconies and murals on cieling.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing staircases, balconies and murals on cieling.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing the right side of the auditorium with colonnade and

cieling lights, looking down from the back of the dress circle.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing the right side of the auditorium with colonnade and

cieling lights, looking down from the back of the dress circle.

PA12007/191/1-1/11 Photographic print, black & white, upper part of main foyer of

Regent Theatre, Commercial Photographic Company,

Melbourne, Victoria, 1929?

Showing balconies, cieling murals and curtains. Taken from a

balcony looking across the space.

PA12007/191/1-1/12 Photographic print, black & white, upper part of main foyer of



Showing balconies, cieling murals and curtains. Taken from a

balcony looking across the space.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing balconies, staircase, window and lights. Taken from

balcony across the space. At lower right is a framed poster for

the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer silent film "The Student Prince in

Old Heidelberg" starring Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer,

which opened in the USA on 30 January 1928.




Victoria, 1929?

Showing balconies, staircase, window and lights. Taken from

balcony across the space. At lower right is a framed poster for

the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer silent film "The Student Prince in

Old Heidelberg" starring Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer,

which opened in the USA on 30 January 1928.

PA12007/191/1-1/15 Photographic print, black & white, dress circle of Regent


Victoria, 1929?

Showing back of dress circle with seating, carpeted walkway

and decorative screens on back wall. Taken from left side

across the space.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing back of dress circle with seating, carpeted walkway

and decorative screens on back wall. Taken from left side

across the space.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing the rear of the main foyer with staircase leading to

the auditorium.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing the rear of the main foyer with staircase leading to

the auditorium.

PA12007/191/1-1/19 Photographic print, black & white, dress circle foyer of Regent


Victoria, 1929?

Showing lounge chairs, display cabinet, framed pictures and

decorated ceiling. Looking along the length of the space to wall

mural.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing lounge chairs, display cabinet, framed pictures and

decorated ceiling. Looking along the length of the space to wall

mural.




Victoria, 1929?

Showing entrance to foyer through archway.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing entrance to foyer through archway.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing lounge chairs, display cabinet, framed pictures,

staircase, decorated ceiling and wall mural.

PA12007/191/1-1/24 Photograph print, black & white, dress circle foyer of Regent


Victoria, 1929?

Showing lounge chairs, display cabinet, framed pictures,

staircase, decorated ceiling and wall mural.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing seating and stage set up for orchestra. Taken from

the left back of the stalls diagonally across the space.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing seating and stage set up for orchestra. Taken from

the left back of the stalls diagonally across the space.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken from the stage looking down the length of the

auditorium, showing orchestra area, stalls, dress circle,

colonnades and domed cieling.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken from the stage looking down the length of the

auditorium, showing orchestra area, stalls, dress circle,

colonnades and domed cieling.




Victoria, 1929?

Taken from right to left diagonally back across the auditorium,

showing stalls, dress circle, colonnade and domed cieling.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken from right to left diagonally back across the auditorium,

showing stalls, dress circle, colonnade and domed cieling.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken from back of foyer looking towards the theatre entrance.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken from back of foyer looking towards the theatre entrance.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken from back right of dress circle looking diagonally down

to stage.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken from back right of dress circle looking diagonally down

to stage.

PA12007/191/1-1/35 Photograph print, black & white, main auditorium of Regent


Victoria, 1929?

Taken across the auditorium from right box to left box.

Wurlitzer organ and orchestra area at lower right.



Victoria, 1929?

Taken across the auditorium from right box to left box.

Wurlitzer organ and orchestra area at lower right.


PA12007/191/1-1/37 Photographic print, black & white, main auditorium cieling of



PA12007/191/1-1/38 Photographic print, black & white, main auditorium cieling of





Victoria, 1929?

Showing decorated cieling. Looking towards front of theatre.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing decorated cieling. Looking towards front of theatre.



Victoria, 1929?



Victoria, 1929?



Victoria, 1929?

Showing staircase to dress circle.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing staircase to dress circle.



Victoria, 1929?



Victoria, 1929?

Showing seating and cieling decoration.



Victoria, 1929?

Showing seating and cieling decoration.




Victoria, 1929?



Victoria, 1929?

PA22007/191/1-1/50 Photographic prints (2 on one mount), black & white, Harry

Langdon?, unidentified man and Ben Turpin, Cannons, Los

Angeles, USA, October 1924 (obverse) and Robert James Lucas

Junior as a child, Australia, c1933 (reverse]

PA22007/191/1-1/50/1 Photographic print, black & white, Harry Langdon?,

unidentified man and Ben Turpin, Cannons, Los Angeles,

USA, October 1924

PA22007/191/1-1/50/2 Photographic print, black & white, Robert James Lucas Junior

as a child, Australia, c1933

PA22007/191/1-1/51 Photographic print, black & white, Stan Allan seated in

projection room at Haymarket Theatre, Robert James Lucas,

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, late 1920s

The Haymarket Theatre was in George Street, Sydney.

PA22007/191/1-1/52 Photographic print, black & white, J. Reid in projection room

at Haymarket Theatre, Robert James Lucas, Sydney, New

South Wales, Australia, 1920s


PA22007/191/1-1/53 Photographic print, black & white, auditorium of Haymarket

Theatre, Robert James Lucas, Sydney, New South Wales,

Australia, 1920s


PA22007/191/1-1/54 Photographic print, black & white, projector at Haymarket

Theatre, Robert James Lucas, Sydney, New South Wales,

Australia, 1920s


PA22007/191/1-1/55 Photographic print, black & white, man at window of

projection box at Haymarket Theatre, Robert James Lucas,

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1920s


PA22007/191/1-1/56 Photographic print, black & white, man at window of

Haymarket Theatre, Robert James Lucas, Sydney, New South

Wales, Australia, 1920s



PA22007/191/1-1/57 Photographic print, black & white, Christmas card featuring

two men dressed as Laurel and Hardy, The Green Studio,

Brisbane, Queensland, 1936

The card's text reads: "The Seasons Greetings Laurel and

Hardy / Leslie [and] Andrews / 1936 /1937"

PA22007/191/1-1/58 Photographic prints (2 images on one print), black & white,

crowds outside Empire Theatre waiting to see the film "Easter

Parade", London, England, c1948

PA22007/191/1-1/59 Photograph, black & white, portrait of unidentified man, 1954

PA22007/191/1-1/60 Photographic print, black & white, crowd at Cathay Cinema,

Singapore, June 1954

The film being shown is the MGM film "Knights of the Round

Table" released in 1954. The 17-storey art-deco Cathay

Building was completed in October 1939 and was, at time, the

tallest building in South-East Asia. It featured a 1,300-seat

cinema and a hotel tower block. The building closed in 2000

for redevelopment. R.J. Lucas was in Singapore for the

demonstration of Perspecta Stereophonic Sound at the Cathay

Cinema. He stayed at the Cathay Hotel.

PA22007/191/1-1/61 Photographic print, black & white, Cathay Cinema and Hotel

by day, Singapore, June 1954

The cinema features signage for the film being shown, the

MGM film "Knights of the Round Table" released in 1954. The

17-storey art-deco Cathay Building was completed in October

1939 and was, at time, the tallest building in South-East Asia.

It featured a 1,300-seat cinema and a hotel tower block. The

building closed in 2000 for redevelopment. R.J. Lucas was in

Singapore for the demonstration of Perspecta Stereophonic

Sound at the Cathay Cinema. He stayed at the Cathay Hotel.

PA22007/191/1-1/62 Photographic print, black & white, Cathay Cinema and Hotel

by night, Singapore, June 1954

The cinema features signage for the film being shown, the

MGM film "Knights of the Round Table" released in 1954. The

17-storey art-deco Cathay Building was completed in October

1939 and was, at time, the tallest building in South-East Asia.

It featured a 1,300-seat cinema and a hotel tower block. The

building closed in 2000 for redevelopment. R.J. Lucas was in

Singapore for the demonstration of Perspecta Stereophonic

Sound at the Cathay Cinema. He stayed at the Cathay Hotel.

PA22007/191/1-1/63 Photographic print, black & white, interior of Liberty Theatre,

Kowloon showing scaffolding around screen, Photo Salon,

Kowloon, Hong Kong, 1954

R.J. Lucas was in Hong Kong 29 April - 1 May 1954, during

which time the theatre's stage was being widened.












PA22007/191/1-1/66 Photographic print, black & white, group portrait of five

cinema executives including R.J. (Bob) Lucas at airport, [Hong

Kong, 1954?]

The men are from left to right: W Garland, RJ Lucas, Harry

More (Western), Mr Ng (General Manager, Capitol Theatre)

and Mr Cheng (Publicity, Capitol and Liberty Theatres). The

Capitol and Liberty Theatres were in Hong Kong. A sign in

English behind the men reads 'Customs and Immigration',

with Asian script below.

PA22007/191/1-1/67 Photographic print, black & white, group portrait of diners

including Robert James (Bob) Lucas at restaurant table, [Hong

Kong, 1954?]

PA22007/191/1-1/68 Photographic print, black & white, three men including Robert

James (Bob) Lucas inspecting integrator unit of Westrex

Sound System, [Singapore or Hong Kong, May-June 1954?]

W. Garland is on the left (cf. 2007/191/1-1/66). R.J. Lucas

second from left.The Westrex Sound System was demonstrated

in Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila.

PA22007/191/1-1/69 Photographic print, black & white, group of delegates including

Robert James (Bob) Lucas, India, 1972

Lucas is on the right.

PA22007/191/1-1/70 Photographic print, black & white, auditorium of St James

Theatre undergoing restoration, Sydney, New South Wales,

Australia, 1930s?

The St James Theatre, now demolished, was in Elizabeth St

Sydney, between Market and King Streets. It was owned by

MGM and opened in 1926. In this photo a large light fitting

rests on the floor of the auditorium, presumably being

prepared to lift into place. There are numerous workmen and

onlookers.


PA22007/191/1-1/71 Photographic print, black & white, St James Theatre

auditorium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, July 1955



MGM and opened in 1926.

PA22007/191/1-1/72 Photographic print, black & white, St James Theatre

auditorium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 24 May

1960



MGM and opened in 1926.

PA22007/191/1-1/73 Photographic print, colour, exterior of Loew's Capitol Theatre

with sign for the film "Doctor Zhivago", New York, USA, 1965

Opened in 1919, the Capitol Theatre on Broadway was taken

over by Loew's in 1924 and became the flagship movie palace

for MGM Films. The World Premier of "Doctor Zhivago" was

held there on 22 December 1965.

PA22007/191/1-1/74 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of Paramount

Theatre on opening night of the film "Doctor Zhivago", Los

Angeles, California, USA, 23 December 1965

PA22007/191/1-1/75 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of United Artists

Theatre at night with sign for the film "Doctor Zhivago", c1965

PA22007/191/1-1/76 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of Beach Cinema

with sign for the film "Doctor Zhivago" and crowd of

theatre-goers, c1965

PA22007/191/1-1/77 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of Metro Theatre,

20 Bourke Street, Melbourne, with sign for the film "Doctor

Zhivago", Melbourne, Victoria, c1965

Opened as a live theatre in 1912, the theatre was bought by

MGM in 1940 and renamed the Metro in 1952. Other names

throughout its history were National Amphitheatre, Palace,

Apollo and Saint James.

PA22007/191/1-1/78 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of Metro Theatre,

20 Bourke Street, Melbourne, with sign for the film "The

VIPs", Alma Pictorial Press Agency, Melbourne, Victoria,

c1963

Opened as a live theatre in 1912, the theatre was bought by

MGM in 1940 and renamed the Metro in 1952. Other names

throughout its history were National Amphitheatre, Palace,

Apollo and Saint James. The film "The VIPs" was an MGM

drama released in 1963. It ran for two years at the Metro.


PA22007/191/1-1/79 Photographic print, black & white, exterior of Orpheum

Cinema with sign for the film "Doctor Zhivago" and crowd of

cinema-goers, c1965

PA22007/191/1-1/80 Photographic print, black & white, Robert James (Bob) Lucas

and unidentified woman looking at a Centrex projector, 1940s

PA22007/191/1-1/81 Photographic print, black & white, Harry Pike and

unidentified woman looking at a Centrex projector, 1940s

Harry Pike was a long-serving chief projectionist with MGM.

PA22007/191/1-1/82 Photographic print, black & white, Harry Pike and

unidentified woman looking at a Centrex projector, 1940s

Harry Pike was a long-serving chief projectionist with MGM.


and unidentified man, at a gathering holding drinks


and two unidentified men, at a gathering holding drinks

PA22007/191/1-1/85 Photographic print, black & white, projector, Atlantic Films

Ltd, Montreal, Quebec

PA22007/191/1-1/86 Photographic print, black & white, projector part, Atlantic

Films Ltd, Montreal, Quebec

PA22007/191/1-1/87 Photographic print, black & white, damage to Metro Theatre,

Brisbane, H.B. Green & Co, Brisbane, Queensland, 6

November 1966

The Metro Theatre, 160-183 Albert Street, Brisbane, was

opened in 1937, converted into a multiplex cinema in 1973 and

demolished in 2004. The photo documents the collapse of part

of the auditorium ceiling in 1966 due to an accident on the

adjacent T&G building (Australian Temperance and General

Mutual Life Assurance Society) when under construction.



November 1966










November 1966









November 1966









November 1966









November 1966









November 1966










November 1966









November 1966









November 1966









November 1966







PA22007/191/1-1/118 Photographic print (single frame of proof sheet), black & white,

damage to Metro Theatre, Brisbane, H.B. Green & Co,

Brisbane, Queensland, November 1966








PA22007/191/1-1/119 Proof sheet of photographs, black & white, damage to Metro

Theatre, Brisbane, H.B. Green & Co, Brisbane, Queensland,

November 1966



demolished in 2004. The photos document the collapse of part






November 1966









November 1966









November 1966









November 1966










November 1966







12007/191/1-1/125 Box in which 2007/191/1-1/87:124 were originally stored

PA22007/191/1-1/126 Photographic print, black & white, R.J. Lucas and Eddie Alva

in Metro Cinema, Bombay, Anand photographer, Bombay,

India, 2 April 1972

Behind the men are four chandeliers, modifications to which

had just been completed. The art deco Metro Theatre was

constructed in 1938 by Metro Goldwyn Mayer. It was designed

by New York based (Scottish born) architect Thomas Lamb.

PA22007/191/1-1/127 Photographic print, black & white, chandeliers in main foyer of

Metro Cinema, Bombay, Anand photographer, Bombay, India,

2 April 1972

Modifications to the chandeliers had just been completed. The

art deco Metro Theatre was constructed in 1938 by Metro

Goldwyn Mayer. It was designed by New York based (Scottish

born) architect Thomas Lamb.

PA22007/191/1-1/128 Photographic print, black & white, main entrance of Metro

Cinema, Bombay, Asian Photos, Bombay, India, 1972

The art deco Metro Theatre was constructed in 1938 by Metro



PA22007/191/1-1/129 Photographic print, black & white, east facade of Metro House,

Bombay, Asian Photos, Bombay, India, 1972




PA22007/191/1-1/130 Photographic print, black & white, ground floor foyer of Metro






PA22007/191/1-1/131 Photographic print, black & white, ground floor foyer of Metro





PA22007/191/1-1/132 Photographic print, black & white, soda fountain of Metro





PA22007/191/1-1/133 Photographic print, black & white, foyer on mezzanine floor of

Metro Cinema, Bombay, Asian Photos, Bombay, India, 1972




PA22007/191/1-1/134 Photographic print, black & white, the ground floor lobby of





PA22007/191/1-1/135 Photographic print, black & white, the first floor lobby of





PA22007/191/1-1/136 Photographic print, black & white, the proscenium of Metro





PA22007/191/1-1/137 Photographic print, black & white, the auditorium of Metro





PA22007/191/1-1/138 Photographic print, black & white, scaffolding on stage of
















PA22007/191/1-1/141 Envelope in which photographs 2007/191/1-1/126:140 were

originally stored

Envelope bears Metro Goldwyn Mayer's roaring lion logo. Sent

by MGM, Bombay to R.J. Lucas in Sydney, postmarked

Bombay, 22 June 1972.




Series Title: Files


Physical Characteristics: Typed and handwritten documents, photographs and printed

material in manilla folders.

Description: Files (10), compiled by Robert James Lucas, Sydney, New South

Wales, Australia, 1946-1987

Ten subject files relating to his work as Chief Technician for MGM

in Australia. The file titles are: Westrex R2 Sound Head,

1946-1954, Trip to USA, 1947, Laboratory Correspondence,

1950-1953, Trip to USA, 1954, Perspecta Demonstration, 1954,

Reports on Film Faults, 1954-1958, Early Drive-Ins, 1954-1960, RCA

16mm, 1958, D150 Technical Data, 1965, and Australian Society of

Cinema Pioneers, 1979-1987.

Arrangement: Chronological


Box Number: 1

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title: Files

ITEM LIST


12007/191/1-2/1 File, 'Westrex R2 Sound Head', 1946-1954

The file contents consist largely of copies of Westrex Bulletins,

containing descriptions and diagrams of sound equipment

manufactured by Westrex Corporation, New York. Also two

photos of sound systems in Metro Theatres, Brisbane and

Kings Cross.

12007/191/1-2/2 File, '1947', January - June 1947, 1949

File re Bob Lucas's trip to the USA, April-May 1947, which

included inspections of MGM operations in New York and

California and visits to manufacturers Westrex, Simplex and

Altec-Lansig. The papers consist of itineraries, letters

received, tickets, Christmas cards, a booklet re The Crest

Theatre, Long Beach, California, (the world's first

pre-fashioned theatre), a souvenir program of Nicky Blair's

Carnival, a photo of Bob Lucas and a couple taken at the

Carnival, and an issue of The Film Weekly which features an

article by Lucas about his trip. Also in the file is Lucas's Motor

Spirit Consumers' Licence, 1949, for his company car.

12007/191/1-2/3 File, 'Laboratory Correspondence', 1950-1953

The file contains Bob Lucas's correspondence with MGM,

Commonwealth Film Laboratories and Kodak re print defects,

as well as some magazine clippings re colour film. The typed

file label reads 'LABORATORY CORRESPONDENCE -

Commencing 1949.' Also written in black texta on file cover is

'Letters re Film Buckling'.

12007/191/1-2/4 File, '1954', March - May 1954

The file contains papers re Bob Lucas's trip to the USA,

March-April 1954, including the program and ticket from the

XXVI Annual Academy Awards which he attended,

newscuttings, letters received and three certificates for

crossing the equator by air. Many of the newscuttings are

about the introduction of Perspecta Stereophonic Sound.

2007/191/1-2/4/1 Programme, from the XXVI Annual Academy Awards,

lithographed by the Artisan Press, Hollywood, California, USA,

1954

Program from award ceremony which Robert James Lucas

attended on 25 March 1954. Annotated with crosses indicating

which nominees won.


12007/191/1-2/5 File, 'Perspecta Demo. / Singapore / Hong Kong / Manila /

Tokyo', January - June 1954

Papers re the demonstration of Perspecta Stereophonic Sound

in various Asian cities, including letters, telegrams,

invitations, newscuttings and photographs. The film used for

the demonstrations was MGM's Knights of the Round Table.

The Perspecta system was used by Paramount, MGM, Warner

and Universal during 1954-57.

12007/191/1-2/6 File, 'Reports on Film Faults', 1954-1958

The file contains MGM interoffice memos and operator's film

reports re film faults. The memos and reports come from

Metro cinemas throughout Australia. Also in the file is a pair

of cardboard 3D viewing glasses.

12007/191/1-2/7 File, "Early Drive Ins', 1954-1960

Papers re the introduction of drive-ins into Australia, including

newscuttings, correspondence, inter-office memos, and photos

of the Chullora Twin Drive-in, Sydney and the Metro Twin

Drive-in, Clayton, Victoria.

2007/191/1-2/7/1 Photographic print, black & white, cars and patrons in front of

diner, Chullora Twin Drive-In, Chullora, New South Wales,

Australia, 1956

2007/191/1-2/7/2 Photograph print, black & white, patrons queuing at diner

window, Chullora Twin Drive-In, Chullora, New South Wales,

Australia, 1956

2007/191/1-2/7/3 Photographic print, black & white, patrons queuing at diner

window (close-up), Chullora Twin Drive-In, Chullora, New

South Wales, Australia, 1956

2007/191/1-2/7/4 Photographic print, black & white, parking area, Chullora

Twin Drive-In, Phil Ward Studios, Sydney, New South Wales,

Australia, 1956?

2007/191/1-2/7/5 Photographic print, black & white, diner at Chullora Twin

Drive-In, Phil Ward Studios, Sydney, New South Wales,

Australia, c1956

Exterior view looking in to lighted interior.

2007/191/1-2/7/6 Photographic print, black & white, aerial view of Metro Twin

Drive-in, Aerial Photographers, Clayton, Victoria, July 1957


Drive-in, Aerial Photographers, Clayton, Victoria, July 1957


Drive-in, Geoff Bell Photography, Clayton, Victoria, 1968






12007/191/1-2/8 File, 'R.C.A. 16mm', 1958

The file contains technical leaflets on RCA's Porto-Arc 16mm

projector and Hollywood series 16mm projectors.

12007/191/1-2/9 File, 'D150 Technical Data', 1965

The file contains photocopies of technical leaflets, bulletins and

magazine clippings re the D-150 All-Purpose Projection

System, manufactured by D-150 Inc, Los Angeles, California.

12007/191/1-2/10 File, 'Cinema Pioneers', 1979-1987

The file contains papers re the Australian Society of Cinema

Pioneers which Bob Lucas joined in 1979, including circular

letters and newsletters. The newsletters contain lists of

members.




Series Title: Membership certificates


Physical Characteristics: Printed certificates, two framed under glass, one unframed.

Description: Membership certificates (3), awarded to Robert James Lucas,

Australia/USA, 1947-1979

Membership certificates of The Australian Institute of Refrigeration,

1947, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 20 Year Club, 1949 and the

Australian Cinema Pioneers Society, 1979.



Box Number: 2

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title: Membership certificates

ITEM LIST


22007/191/1-3/1 Membership certificate, framed, of The Australian Institute of

Refrigeration (Incorporated), for Robert James Lucas, 30

January 1947

22007/191/1-3/2 Membership certificate, framed, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 20

Year Club, awarded to Robert James Lucas, printed by G.

Lange Studio, New York, USA, awarded July 1949

22007/191/1-3/3 Membership certificate, of Australian Cinema Pioneers

Society, for Robert James Lucas, Australia, 1979

The certificate is pasted onto a sheet of folded paper.

Underneath the certificate also pasted onto the backing paper

is a reproduction of Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Sunflowers".

The Society was founded on 29 November 1933.




Series Title: Cinema operation manuals


Physical Characteristics: Printed bound volumes and booklets

Description: Cinema operation manuals (7), collected by Robert James Lucas,

USA / Australia / England, 1927-1950

Richardson's handbook of projection, 5th edition, 1927, 'Suggestions

for presentation of Gone with the Wind', 1940, British Standard

677:1942 Motion Picture Films, 1942, Loew's Basic Manual, c1946,

Loew's Managerial Training Course, c1948, Standards and

Recommendations of the Society of Motion Picture and Television

Engineers, 1950 and Calibration and Instructions for Use of 16mm

buzz track test film, 1950.



Box Number: 3

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title: Cinema operation manuals

ITEM LIST


32007/191/1-4/1 Book, 'Richardson's handbook of projection: the Blue Book of

Projection', 5th edition, volume 1, Chalmers Publishing

Company, New York, USA, 1927

Presented to Robert James Lucas by projection box colleagues

at the Haymarket Theatre, Sydney, July 1928.

32007/191/1-4/2 Booklet, 'Suggestions for presentation of Gone with the Wind',

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Wilson Bros (Printers) Pty

Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1940

The booklet is introduced by a message from the film's

producer David O. Selznick to 'Exhibitors Everywhere'.

32007/191/1-4/3 Booklet, 'British Standard 677:1942 Motion Picture Films',

British Standards Institution, London, England, December

1942

First published, April 1936; first revision December 1942.

32007/191/1-4/4 Manual, 'Basic Manual', Loew's International Corporation,

New York, USA, c1946

Black loose leaf binder containing 115 pages. Copy number

218 issued to R.J. Lucas. The manual begins with an essay

'Freedom of the Screen' by Arthur M. Loew, written in the

aftermath of World War 2, followed by sections on the history

of the company (1921-1946), Sales, the Treasurer's

Department, the Legal Department, Good Theatre Operation,

Perfect Projection and Sound is MGM Standard, Advertising,

Publicity and Exploitation, the Studio, the 16mm Department,

Sales Control, International Branch Accounting, Insurance and

an organisation chart. The manual includes photos of MGM

executives and samples of projection problems.

32007/191/1-4/5 Manual, 'Loew's Managerial Training Course', New York, USA,

c1948

Black post binder containing duplicated typescript pages. The

manual includes sections on various aspects of the operation,

maintenance and promotion of theatres. There are includes

photographs and diagrams.

32007/191/1-4/6 Manual, 'Standards and Recommendations', Society of Motion

Picture and Television Engineers, New York, USA, 1950

Navy blue post binder containing American Standards for the

motion picture industry.


32007/191/1-4/7 Document, 'Calibration and Instructions for Use of 16mm buzz

track test film, Society of Motion Picture and Television

Engineers, New York, USA, 1950

There is another copy of this document in 2007/191/1-4/6.




Series Title: Theatre data cards


Physical Characteristics: Cards with typed and handwritten entries

Description: Theatre data cards, Robert James Lucas/ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Australia, Australia, 1969-1975

These cards contained typed details on the following MGM theatres:

St James Theatre, Liberty Theatre, the Metro cinemas at Bondi,

Crows Nest, Kings Cross, Manly, Bourke St (Melbourne), Collins St

(Melbourne), Malvern (Melbourne), Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth,

Gateshead Drive-in NSW, Innaloo Drive-in Western Australia and

Marion Drive-in South Australia.

The details recorded include picture size, projection distance,

projection angle, proscenium opening, distance front row to screen,

distance to balcony rail, theatre width and length, number of seats

and valuation.

There are also cards for three other MGM buildings - Head Office,

Exchange Building, Sydney; the Metro Bowl Bankstown and the

Melbourne Exchange Building. Giving description, area and value.

Arrangement:


Box Number: 3




Series Title: Technical leaflets re cinema products

Date Range: 1940s-60s

Physical Characteristics: Printed or duplicated typescript leaflets and booklets

Description: Technical leaflets re cinema products,

USA/Japan/Spain/Germany/Australia/Italy, 1940s-60s

Technical leaflets re cinema products manufactured by the following

companies - Altec Corporation, Ashcraft Manufacturing Company,

Bauer, Bausch and Lomb, Bell and Howell, Brakell Products,

Carbons Inc, Christie Electric Corp, Cinemascope, Cinemeccanica,

Emilar Corporation, Eprad Inc, Etone Pty Ltd, Fairchild recording

Equipment Corporation, Fumeo, General Electric, Hall & Connolly,

Hewittic, Isco, Kollmorgen, Lansing, Mintek Inc, Motorola, Pacific

Optical, Panavision, Perspecta, Philips, Pio Pion, Prevost, Rank,

Sega, Siemens, Simplex, Smart Theatre Systems, Strong Electric

Corporation, Trans-Lux Inflight, Treise Engineering Inc., Ushio

International Corporation Ltd, Vallen Inc, Wassmann, Western

Electric (Electrical Research Products Inc), Wotan and Zeiss.

Arrangement: Alphabetically by manufacturer's name


Box Number: 4




Series Title: Cinema industry journals


Physical Characteristics: Printed journals, most with black & white illustrations

Description: Cinema industry journals (17), Australia/USA, 1939-1984

Seventeen issues (some incomplete) of Australian and American

cinema industry journals. Included are some in-house Loew/MGM

publications. Some issues include photographs of, articles by or

reference to Robert James (Bob) Lucas.



Box Number: 2

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title: Cinema industry journals

ITEM LIST


22007/191/1-7/1 Journal, 'The Roaring Lion', vol.4 no.8, Sydney, New South

Wales, Australia , 17 October 1939

Possibly incomplete, three sheets comprising pages 1 to 4 of

main journal and pages 1-2 of 'MGM Showmanship'

supplement. Journal "Published for the CONFIDENTIAL

INFORMATION of the Personnel of M-G-M- throughout

Australia and New Zealand". This edition is largely re the

opening of the Metro Theatre, Adelaide.

22007/191/1-7/2 Journal, 'The Roaring Lion', no. 52, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia , 16 February 1940

Journal "Published for the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

of the Personnel of M-G-M- throughout Australia and New

Zealand". On page 4 is a group photo of MGM staff who had

been awarded their Ten Year Club badge, including Robert

James (Bob) Lucas.

22007/191/1-7/3 Journal, 'The Distributor', vol.19 no.4, New York, USA, 22 May

1943

Weekly publication of Sales Department of Loews Inc.

22007/191/1-7/4 Journal, 'The Distributor', vol.19 no.5, New York, USA, 29 May

1943

Weekly publication of Sales Department of Loews Inc.

22007/191/1-7/5 Journal, 'The Film Weekly', vol. 51 no. 929, Motion Picture

Authority of Australasia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,

22 June 1944

On page XXII are portraits of Head Office Executives of

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Australia-New Zealand which include a

portrait of 'Bob Lucas, Chief Technician'. On page XLII is the

MGM Honor Roll for Australia & New Zealand which includes

the name of Trooper Cyril Lucas AIF, the brother of Bob Lucas.

22007/191/1-7/6 Journal, 'The Roaring Lion', no. 157, published by

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, printed by Jno. Evans & Sons Printing

Co., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 9 May 1947

Journal "Published for the Confidential Information of the

Personnel of M.G.M. in Australia and New Zealand." On page

6 is the "U.S. Letter from Bob Lucas" reporting on his visit to

New York and the west coast of the United States.


22007/191/1-7/7 Journal, 'Lo!', New York, USA, June1947

Monthly publication "for members of the Loew family all over

the world". On page 11 is a photo with the caption "Conferring

with Loew projection and sound chiefs during his New York

visit is Robert Lucas, head technician of all MGM theatres in

Australia…"

22007/191/1-7/8 Journal, 'Lo!', New York, USA, c1947

Monthly publication "for members of the Loew family all over

the world". Incomplete, pages 5-16 only.

22007/191/1-7/9 Journal cutting, 'The Film Weekly', Sydney, New South Wales,

Australia, 24 June 1948

Incomplete, pages 5-6 only.

22007/191/1-7/10 Journal, 'The Showman', vol. 5 no.11, Sydney, New South

Wales, Australia, March 1954

22007/191/1-7/11 Journal supplement, "The Perspecta Story", supplement to

'The Film Weekly', Motion Picture Authority of Australasia,

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 10 February 1955

Twelve page supplement re Perspecta Stereophonic Sound.

22007/191/1-7/12 Journal, 'The Film Weekly', vol. 106 no. 2083, Motion Picture

Authority of Australasia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,

15 December 1966

22007/191/1-7/13 Journal, 'Greater Amusements', May 1970, combined with

'International Projectionist', vol. 45 no.5, Gallo Publishing

Corporation, New York, USA, May 1970

22007/191/1-7/14 Newspaper, 'The Australasian Exhibitor', vol.33 no.34, Sydney,

New South Wales, Australia, 2 July 1970

All pages have large tears; there is a hole in pages 5-6.

22007/191/1-7/15 Journal, 'Cinema Papers', Richmond, Victoria, December 1974

22007/191/1-7/16 Newspaper, 'The Australasian Cinema', vol.12 no.21, Sydney,

New South Wales, Australia, 11-18 November 1983

The Australian Cinema Pioneers Society 50th Year issue.

22007/191/1-7/17 Newspaper, 'The Australasian Cinema', vol.13 no.10, Sydney,

New South Wales, Australia, 22 June 1984

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Diamond Jubilee issue.




Series Title: Souvenir programmes


Physical Characteristics: Printed illustrated booklets

Description: Souvenir programs (8), collected by Robert James Lucas,

Australia/USA, 1929-1970

Souvenir programs for the opening of the following theatres - Regal

(later Metro) Theatre, Bondi Junction, 1936, Metro Theatre,

Brisbane, 1937, Rivoli Theatre, Sydney, 1974 and Village Cinema

Complex, Brisbane, 1970. Also a menu from an MGM dinner dance,

Sydney, 1929, American souvenir programs of the films "Seven

Wonders of the World", 1956 and "Doctor Zhivago", 1965 and a

pictorial souvenir booklet of New York, 1944.



Box Number: 5

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title: Souvenir programmes

ITEM LIST


52007/191/1-8/1 Menu, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Australia staff dinner dance,

Waite and Bull printers, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,

1929

The staff dinner dance was held at the Hotel Australia, 4

September to commemorate the Fifth Annual Sales

Convention.

52007/191/1-8/2 Souvenir program, Regal Theatre, Bondi Junction, New South

Wales, Australia, 1936

The program includes information on the features of the new

theatre and forthcoming films and includes two photos of the

auditorium and foyer. The art deco style Regal Theatre was

situated in Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, opening in 1936.

Later known as the Metro, the theatre closed in 1973 and was

demolished.

Pinned to the program is an MGM inter-department memo

from W.G. Wells to R. Lucas, 26 May 1951 - "These old plans

were located Back Stage".

52007/191/1-8/3 Souvenir program, opening of MGM's Metro Theatre, Brisbane,

Queensland, 1937

The theatre was opened on 10 November 1937. The program

features illustrated articles on the history of Brisbane, the

building of the theatre and current MGM movies, as well as

advertisements from manufacturers who supplied the

building's metalwork, plywood panelling, neon lights, seating

and carpets.

52007/191/1-8/4 Booklet, 'Pictorial Souvenir of New York for New Yorkers and

Visitors', Geographia Map Co, New York, USA, 1944

52007/191/1-8/5 Souvenir program, for the Lowell Thomas film 'Seven Wonders

of the World', USA, 1956

The film was released in the USA on 11 April 1956. Two pages

of the program have had sections cut out.

52007/191/1-8/6 Souvenir program, of the David Lean film "Doctor Zhivago",

USA, 1965

The film was released in the USA on 22 December 1965.


52007/191/1-8/7 Souvenir program, grand opening of the Rivoli Theatre,

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1974

The Rivoli Theatre in Elizabeth Street was opened in 1974 by

Seven Keys Films. The first film shown was The Optimists,

starring Peter Sellers. The building at 150-152 Elizabeth

Street, which is now on the State Heritage Register, was

constructed in 1912 by the Concordia Club, a German cultural

and social organisation. In 1920 it was purchased by the

Knights of the Southern Cross, a Catholic lay movement which

retained the building until 1979 when it was sold to the

Cyprus Hellene Club. The building incorporates a theatre,

formerly called the Australian Hall, and this was let for

dances, cinema, radio broadcasting for 2UE, community

singing, State Lotteries draws and political rallies. On 26

January 1938 (the sesquicentenary of European settlement in

Australia) the Australian Hall was the venue for the first

national Aboriginal civil rights gathering, the "Day of

Mourning". The hall was later used by the Phillip Street

Theatre (1961-1971), the Richbrooke Theatre (1971-74), the

Rivoli Theatre (1974-), Mandarin Cinema (1976-), Dave's

Encore Movie House, 42nd Street, Trak, Mandolin Cinema

(1987-97?) and Kookaburra: The National Musical Theatre

Company (2007-). In 1998 the building was sold to the

Metropolitan Aboriginal Association.

52007/191/1-8/8 Souvenir booklet, Village Twin Cinema Complex, Brisbane,

printed by Souvenir Litho-Scans Pty Ltd, Chippendale, New

South Wales, 1970




Series Title: Correspondence


Physical Characteristics: Typescript and carbon typescript letters

Description: Correspondence, of Robert James Lucas, Sydney, New South Wales,

Australia, 1945-1971

A small group of correspondence consisting of two telegrams, 1945,

congratulating Lucas on installation of generator at Metro Theatre,

Adelaide; MGM Inter-office memos, 1965-70; correspondence with

Ushio International Corporation and Phillips, 1967-71 re purchase

and installation of Xenon equipment and the Phillips Non-Rewind

System; and an undated Christmas card from Adolf Schwartz.



Box Number: 5




Series Title: Record of theatre expenditure


Physical Characteristics: Typescript documents in an alphabetical notched black ring folder

Description: Record of theatre expenditure, Robert James Lucas/Metro-Goldwyn

Mayer Australia, Australia, 1937-1942

Loose leaf ring binder with alphabetical notched pages recording the

purchase of goods and services for MGM cinemas and the selling of

rights eg. projection equipment, barrier ropes, carpets, cleaning,

contracts, earphones, insurance, Larsen letters, leases, music

stands, sandboxes, screens, seats, slide rights, sweet rights, ticket

and change machines, and uniforms.

The cinemas included are St James Theatre, Sydney, Liberty

Theatre, Sydney, Cremorne Theatre, Sydney and Metro Cinemas in

Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

Arrangement: Alphabetical


Box Number: 5




Series Title: Prospectus, Minerva Centre Limited

Date Range: 1937

Physical Characteristics: Printed illustrated booklet

Description: Prospectus, Minerva Centre Limited, Websdale, Shoosmith Limited,

printers, Sydney, New South Wales, 7 September 1937

Prospectus issued under the Companies Act 1936 for the issue of

shares for the Minerva Centre Limited, which company intended to

build the Minerva Theatre, Orwell Street and the Paradise Theatre,

Macleay Street, Sydney. Includes concept drawings, maps and

photos of surrounding buildings. The centre was originally designed

by Charles Bruce Dellit and completed by Crick and Furse. The

Minerva was bought by MGM in 1948 and then became known as

the Metro Kings Cross.

Arrangement:


Closed mm

Open mm

Box Number: 5




Series Title: Miscellaneous papers


Physical Characteristics: Typescript documents, blueprints, newscuttings, ink drawings,

printed booklets

Description: Miscellaneous papers, 1952-1985

A small group of miscellaneous newscuttings, technical drawings

and notes.

Arrangement: None


Box Number: 5

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