St. James Theatre

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Following conductor Mareo, pianist/composer/conductor Isador Goodman (1909-1982) was engaged as musical director of the St James Symphony Orchestra from Friday 30 September 1932 for the film “Grand Hotel”. Taking over from Goodman, violinist Haydn Beck (1899-1983) was in charge of the orchestra from 20 July 1935 until the end of September. Violinist Cecil Berry filled in occasionally. ‘The brilliant engagement of Mischa Dobrinski (1900-1969) and the St James Musical Ensemble’ commenced 1 November 1935 with the season of Garbo’s “Anna Karenina”. Newly appointed musical director Lloyd Davies (violinist) and his St James Salon Orchestra opened with “Born To Dance” 17 March 1937. Eleven months later violinist Gregory Ivanoff (1884-1965) led the New Viennese Orchestra starting 16 February 1938 supporting “The Firefly”. Ivanoff continued at the St James for nine years and was the last resident conductor of the ‘Salon Orchestra’ when live musical content was dropped in 1947.

Musical director on “No No Nanette” in 1926 was Willy Redstone (1883-1949). It was the first Ward/Fuller production for which his involvement did not include contributing original material. He later went on to join the Australian Broadcasting Commission and wrote music for several Charles Chauvel features. (William) Hamilton Webber (1893-1961) composed music and songs for many Fuller productions prior to his stint conducting a concert orchestra to accompany the first and only silent film shown at the St James – “The Big Parade” in 1927. Redstone went on to a career with Greater Union Theatres as musical director at the State theaters in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as composing music for Cinesound features like “On Our Selection”.