Detalles: Creado: 25 Marzo 2015; Última actualización: 12 Mayo 2024; Publicado: 25 Marzo 2015; Visto: 4306

MELBOURNE

Jean-Claude SEGUIN

Melbourne est la capitale de l'état de Victoria (Australie).

1896

L'Animatograph de Carl Herz (Opera House, 22 août-[16] septembre 1896)

L'Opera House. Melbourne. (c. 1899) [D.R.]

En provenance d'Afrique du Sud, Carl Hetz inaugure son animatograph (theatrograph) à l'Opera House le 22 août :

THE CINEMATOGRAPHE.
As an up to date scientific novelty the cinematographe, which was introduced to Australians by Carl Hertz at the Opera House on Saturday night, must be ascribed a leading position. It is a combination by which the effects of the kinetoscope are imparted to limelight views, producing scenes of amazing realism, and giving them all the characteristics of actual moving life. All tho accuracy of detail belonging to modern photography, which is, of course, the groundwork of the views, is strikingly manifested. Amongst the most vivid views were an Italian skirt dance, in which the danseuse was seen with the same clearness as if she had been actually on the stage; a pugilistic. encounter ; street scenes of London and London-bridge, showing hansoms, market waggons, buses and coster carts threading their way at various rates of speed through the maze of traffic, the drivers gesticulating and apparently reviling each other, just as they did one morning months ago, when the original photograph was taken. Perhaps tho most perfect of the scenes is the seascape, a flowing tide and a rocky foreshore. The rhythmic motion of the waves, tho spray and foam and broken waters where the waves were reft by the boulders, were so intensely natural that the audience, which had been growing enthusiastic over the display, broke into a storm of applause ; but the cinematographe is not educated up to encores, and a scene from the burlesque of Trilby, showing the death of Svengali, followed. During the evening Mr. Will Whitburn made his first appearance with the Harry Rickards company and was accorded un ovation. Beautiful Jessica, a new slack wire artist, also made her first appearance, and was well received.

The Age, Melbourne, lundi 24 août 1896, p. 6.

Carl Hertz. Melb. Opera House.
Free Lance, Melbourne, samedi 22 août 1896, p. 4.

Le succès des séances de projections de vues animées conduit Carl Hetz à repousser son départ :

THE Cinematographe has been such a success at the Opera House that Mr. Harry Rickards has had to cancel other engagements in order to gratify the public wish for a longer duration of the Cinematographe boom. The mechanism of the novelty is so good that the series of pictures follows with uninterrupted effect, Nearly a score are shown. The apparatus is in the centre of the dress circle, and the large screen on the stage is so well-placed that everybody can see clearly and without any craning or necks, a little matter that adds greatly to one's pleasure, Several now pictures have been added this week, but the spectators still clamour for such favourites as the Seascape, the London Street scene and Westminster Bridge. The audience invariably go into a fit of laughter at the pedestrian, who gives a hasty glance backward. The string of 'busses, cabs, and coaches of the London street scene, occasions a great deal of speculation, for the grouping has all the naturalness of life, as well as the movement and bustle typical of the locality, The Trilby incident is probably taken from the American burlesque, as the triple collapse of Svengali, the heroine and the Highlander is a new departure as far as .Melbourne is concerned. Among the humorous illustrations are the Boxing Cats, with grim earnestness stamped on their startled faces, a serpentine dance by a dog, a sword combat or horseback, a gaiety company ballot, and some negro dancers. All these are given with a swiftness realism incredible to anyone who has not yet seen this wonderful invention.

Table Talk, Melbourne, vendredi 11 septembre 1896, p. 7.

Les séances se prolongent jusqu'au milieu du mois de septembre. Carl Hetz se rend ensuite à Sydney.

L'Animatographe (Opera House, 26 septembre->2 novembre 1896)

Le succès de l'animatographe conduit Harry Rickards à proposer une nouvelle série de projections :

MR. Harry Rickards has, in recognition of a general desire to see the " Cinematographe" again, arranged for a second exhibition, commencing from to-morrow (Saturday) night.
Table Talk, Melbourne, vendredi 25 septembre 1896, p. 15.

Après quelques difficultés techniques, les séances se déroulent correctement :

The Cinematographe, in a new, and improved form was a prominent feature of the entertainment, and as the mechanical defects which to some extent marred the first presentation have now been overcome the audience were able to enjoy the full effect of the many beautiful pictures presented, which included "The English Derby," a London railway scene, Chirgwin, the "white eyed Kaffir," in one of his popular roles, and many other admirable scenes. The remainder of the programme was fully up to the high standard maintained at this popular house.
The Argus, Melbourne, lundi 28 septembre 1896, p. 6.

Mais l'appareil rencontre à nouveau quelques problèmes :

The cinematographe exhibition on Saturday was not properly workable, and the pictures thrown upon the screen were relatively defective. More and greater novelties are demanded.

Leader, Melbourne, samedi 3 octobre 1896, p. 22.

The Herald, Melbourne, lundi 12 octobre 1896, p. 2.

De façon presque quotidienne, la presse continue de passer des annonces pour l'animatographe dont on explique parfois l'origine.

The Argus, Melbourne, jeudi 29 octobre 1896, p. 8.

Le Cinographoscope Pipon de G. Neywark et Albert Périer (Salon Cinematographe/266 Collins-street/The Block, 26 octobre->4 novembre 1896)

Melbourne. "The Block", Collins Street.c . 1909.
Source: State Library Victoria

Le Cinographoscope Pipon - nommé par la presse "cinematographe perfectionne" - a été acheté par Albert Périer et fonctionne sous la direction d'un certain G. Neywark :

At the Cinematographe Salon.
Yesterday afternoon a private view was given at 266 Collins-street (next to Mullens) of the Cinematographe Perfectionne. A capital collection of animated photographs and living pictures was given under the directorship of Mons. G. Neywark. Of a verity there is something of the marvellous about an invention that brings so clearly before the spectator the life and action of scenes like "Drags Leaving the Course," "Watering Cavalry Hornes," Soudanese Diving," "Grans Steeplechase," "Buck-jumping Horse," and "Arrival and Departure of Train at Station." Very plain, too, is the manner in which these living pictures are thrown on the screen, as you may be able to judge for yourself any half-hour in the afternoon of evening from 1.30 to 9.30.

Sportman, Melbourne, mardi 27 octobre 1896, p. 5.

The Herald, Melbourne, mardi 27 octobre 1896, p. 2.

La presse semble pourtant hésiter sur le patronyme du responsable, tantôt "Neymark", tantôt "Reymart", deux noms, par ailleurs, pratiquement inconnus.

The Herald, Melbourne, vendredi 30 octobre 1896, p. 4.

Le 4 novembre, une séance spéciale est offerte au Blinc Asylum :

A special exhibition of the Cinematographe which is on view in premises in Collins street, near Mullen's, will be given this afternoon, at 3 o'clock, in aid of the funds of the Blind Asylum. Lady Brassey has promised to be present.

The Argus, Melbourne, mercredi 4 novembre 1896, p. 7.

Le Cinématographe Lumière de Marius Sestier (Princess's Theatre, 31 octobre->2 novembre 1896)

Melbourne. Princess Theatre. c. 1907.

Marius Sestier donne sa première représentation au Princess's Theatre à la fin du mois d'octobre :

Incidental to the Third Act will be Exhibited,
The MARVEL of the NINETEENTH CENTURY,
The
LUMIERE CINEMATOGRAPHE,
Invented and perfected by Lumiere Bros., of Paris, and
exhibited by M. Marius Sestier.
NOTE.-The public are respectfully notified that this is the only authentic LUMIERE CINEMATOGRAPHE ever brought to the Australian colonies; its superiority over all others will be fully demonstrated.

The Age, Melbourne, samedi 31 octobre 1896, p. 12.

La presse évoque également le répertoire du cinématographe Lumière :

The Lumiere Cinematographe, under the direction of Mr. Marius Lestier [sic], is marvellous— this is really the only word that is applicable. It is impossible to imagine anything more realistic, and, in itself, it is sufficient to draw crowded houses. One of the pictures represents two gentlemen playing cards, and a waiter pouring out beer into glasses. The glasses gradually fill, the froth rises up, and well, the audience becomes thirsty.
Sportman, Melbourne, lundi 2 novembre 1896, p. 2.

Le Vitascope (Atheæum-Hall, 31 octobre 1896)

Le Vitascope est annoncé à l'Atheæum-Hall pour le 31 octobre.

The Argus, Melbourne, jeudi 29 octobre 1896, p. 8.