I’m sad to inform you that well known former Hoyts projectionist Brian Scott passed away Saturday morning.
Brian commenced at Hoyts Padua Theatre in Brunswick in 1949 as a page boy, he was later given the opportunity to transfer to the bio box and commenced his training as an assistant projectionist. After becoming proficient he started on the Hoyts relief roster and worked in many theatres including the Hoyts Regent, Gardiner. He was then transferred with a number of other assistant projectionists to Hoyts Plaza Theatre in the city in readiness to be one of the assistant operators on Cinerama, however, before Cinerama opened, Hoyts decided they would not employ assistants on Cinerama.
Brian then worked as assistant to Don Albon at Hoyts Regent, South Yarra before being called up for National Service. After this he returned to Hoyts Victory, St Kilda where Keith Calder was the operator. Uncertainty surrounded the cinema business during this era and Brian left Hoyts to work at J. C. Williamson’s and he later drove buses.
After 15 or so years out of the industry Brian returned to Hoyts commencing on the relief roster and then, after obtaining his operators licence, he was appointed projectionist at Hoyts New Malvern. Ultimately he moved to the city circuit where he worked at Hoyts Cinema Centre and Midcity.
Brian loved the cinema industry and especially Hoyts during the Twentieth Century Fox ownership years. He was a keen photographer and had albums full of images of Melbourne’s classic theatres.
Our sincere condolences go out to of Brian’s family and friends. No funeral details are available at this time.
Thanks to Phil O’Kane and Eric White for assistance with this obituary.
Kind regards,
David Kilderry