Projectionist’s stories of beloved cinema

Brian Luscombe is more familiar with The Memo in Healesville than most people.

A projectionist at the Memorial Hall for decades, Brian ran countless movie screenings at the cinema, swapping reels, organising releases and entertaining generations of locals.

He said that a major part of his job was advocating for releases and special features to come to town.

“I remember calling up 21st Century Fox and asking to put on a double feature – Hello Dolly! and The Sound of Music, and they wouldn’t hear it,” Mr Luscombe said.

“Few weeks later, I see Hoyts in the city and what are they showing? Hello Dolly! and The Sound of Music. I called them up and said, ‘If it’s good enough for Hoyts, it’s good enough for Healesville!’

“Another time, I organised a screening of Monty Python’s The Life of Brian – that Sunday, every church in town had something to say about me.

“That couldn’t have been better advertising, though – every screening after that was sold out!

He said the old, red chairs at the Memo were so notoriously uncomfortable that people would bring their own seating to movie sessions.

“This one group rocked up with a couch on the back of a ute, brought it right up the front  for a triple feature, then put it back on the ute and drove it home,” he said.

Mr Luscombe said he hadn’t been to see many movies since finishing up as projectionist, but a highlight of his time working at the Memo was screening his favourite film, Hello Dolly!

The Healesville Memorial Hall was opened in April, 1924, as a memorial to those lost their lives in the First World War. In 2012, it reopened to the community following a major redevelopment. 

The uncomfortable red chairs now long gone, along with the balcony seating, the space is now open and can seat hundreds of people for concerts, movie screenings and community events.

Reflecting on the history of the beloved space, Mr Luscombe is glad to see The Memo still being used as a community hub.

“They’ve done an incredible job with the building, Council. It’s really something special,” he said.

“The space in there is incredible.”

To find out more about The Memo, and to see what movies are available there, and at Arts Centre Warburton, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/movies