Public Address | Cafe | Capture: Cinema Scoped

Rob Stowell

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:57:56 +1200

Just to be able to see it in all its glory.
Good news on this front: restoration has the $ ok. Just need to legal dept to say go ahead :)

JacksonP

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:04:00 +1200

Ian Dalziel: you are a top-ace bloke! Turns up with a folder full of old film magazines for me.

I walked away with some prize possessions earlier in the year too. That Planet magazine is getting more mileage than I expected. Cheers again Ian.

Also, Rob, I'd contribute to the…

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:25:21 +1200

OK. Let me know what is decided.

Rob Stowell

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:56:31 +1200

That's incredibly generous!
I might suggest starting a pledge-me campaign- a few of us would be keen I think :) But just talked to the archivist at McMillan-Brown and she needs to check the original 'deed of gift' to see what we're allowed to do.

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:47:51 +1200

Would a $100 contribution help? Let me know how I can send it to you.

Rob Stowell

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:37:35 +1200

Damn, missed it.
I’m trying to organise restoration of a 16mm print of a 30 minute recruitment film made for the university in 1964. Aimed at British and US academics, it covers more than the university, looking at Chch life generally: beaches, shopping, schools – and cheerfully extolling the likes…

Islander

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:57:48 +1200

O bugger!
Sorry to double-post – but if it reiterates the message – all is good-

Islander

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:56:43 +1200

Ian Dalziel: you are a top-ace bloke!

Indeedy!

Will be ordering more old views of ChChCh & other stuff, quite soon -

Islander

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:55:06 +1200

an Dalziel: you are a top-ace bloke!

Indeedy!

Will be ordering more 'old views' of CHCH – they've gone down a treat with family!
O, and other stuff-

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:47:53 +1200

Ian Dalziel: you are a top-ace bloke! Turns up with a folder full of old film magazines for me.

Geoff Lealand

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:17:35 +1200

For Ian and other Christchurch folk: To my great surprise--and considerable pleasure--I have learnt that the Academy/Metro Cinemas have re-opened in Christchurch as the Academy Gold Cinemas at 363 Colombo Street.
I will hasten along there tomorrow afternoon, to check them out.
I am at Canterbury University at 2pm tomorrow…

Geoff Lealand

Sat, 04 May 2013 15:20:56 +1200

Thanks, Ian. I will follow that up after we get home to NZ (waiting for the plane at SFO, after being stranded in Detroit for 9 hours and thus missing last night's flight).
In the meantime, here is a pic of a rather sad looking cinema in Woodville, a small…

Ian Dalziel

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:49:51 +1200

Geoff – there was a small piece on a cinema at Waikari on The Press's site today, which may be of interest...
I see you have it on your site – but I'm guessing as it is not a standalone cinema but a repurposed war memorial hall it may fall…

Geoff Lealand

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:35:41 +1200

Just to revive an old thread, this pic is from my current (April 2013) research-oriented travels in the US (California and Ohio)--not to seek out old cinemas, but I do take notice of them along the way. This is the Riverside CA cinema, built in 1929 and most notably the…

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:31:01 +1300

The source for Last Picture Show in Iran is an Italian architecture/design mag called Abitare November 2011.
My Iranian PhD student Arezou knows some of these old places.

JacksonP

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:02:34 +1300

Not sure if this will work (in terms of attaching) but came across this interesting feature on disappearing cinemas and faded facades in Iran:

It worked for me. Interesting stuff, and depressing also.

Geoff Lealand

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:53:44 +1300

Not sure if this will work (in terms of attaching) but came across this interesting feature on disappearing cinemas and faded facades in Iran:

Geoff Lealand

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:33:07 +1300

Why, thank you for your interest. I have just noticed this thread has passed 10,000 views.
With teaching finishing in a week or so, I will start filling in the gaps on the site, making excursions to places like Opunake and Gisborne. If anyone knows of plans for outdoor film…

Alec Morgan

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:21:27 +1300

Had the misfortune to live in ‘Dargahole’ by the big muddy for 6 or 7 months in 1969. Saturdays were the highlight of the week, off to the movies. A really long entrance foyer as I recall. Good luck to the new cinema.

Nearby Ruawai had an old fashioned comfortable…

Geoff Lealand

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:31:24 +1300

Haven't been here for a while but there is news:

* a new 26 seat cinema has opened as an adjunct to Finns Hotel in Paekakariki;
* the Lighthouse Cuba (Wigan Street, Wellington) is due to open in mid-October;
* the Focal Point Cinemas (Feilding and Leven) have taken over…

Geoff Lealand

Sun, 16 Sept 2012 14:43:38 +1200

From the Silent Film Festival in Opotiki yesterday. The Harold Lloyd festure The Kid Brother was great, The entries for the short film competition were superior to last year, and the winning film we chose was very much in the spirit of silents–won by The Hayes Family (mum, three daughters…

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 14 Sept 2012 11:06:58 +1200

Cellulight....
Silent Film Festival at the De Luxe
in Opotiki this year (September 14-15)
Have a crankin' good weekend Geoff...
You may have already spotted this piece – on a rediscovered reel of possibly the first colour film – at Gizmodo

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 06 Sept 2012 21:55:45 +1200

Thanks for this link, Mark. What a great journey--the stuff I dream of when I wonder what I should do my hypothetical Lotto winnings. There is a rather unique festival close to the Arctic Circle in the far reaches of Finland to begin with,

Mark Cubey

Thu, 06 Sept 2012 16:49:10 +1200

Readers may like to follow the illustrated journey of Wellington film reviewer and podcaster Dan Slevin to cinemas across the US, at Funerals and Snakes. It starts here.

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 06 Sept 2012 11:33:41 +1200

In their review of my contribution to the "Distribution in the Digital Age" session at The Big Screen Symposium in Auckland this past weekend, Screen Hub News refers to cinemasofnz.info as a 'charming research project'. I don't think I have ever before had my research endeavours described this way. I…

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:12:34 +1200

oh, and the Bridgeway won the Best Cinema award in New Zealand this year.

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:09:15 +1200

Talking about these cinemas at The Big Screen Symposium this weekend (www.bigscreensymposium.com/), in the "Distribution in the Digital Age" session.

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:41:18 +1200

There is something deeply satisfying–almost visceral– about cinema interiors like these.

Yes, I love the yesteryear feeling they conjure up.I'll be out by the Lido next week so I'll see what I can manage there :)

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:40:40 +1200

Many thanks, Sofie. There is something deeply satisfying--almost visceral-- about cinema interiors like these. No wonder they used to call them 'dream palaces'.

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:32:16 +1200

Looking back.

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:28:23 +1200

I am focusing on cinemas still operating

I happened to be outside the Capitol on Dom Rd yesterday and thought of your lovely self Geoff. Here are a few shots for you…

Geoff Lealand

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:04:06 +1200

I am focusing on cinemas still operating as there are historians far better than I to record those which have passed on. Kaurismaki, eh? One of my all-time favourite directors. Have you seen Le Havre ?

Venetia King

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 23:29:20 +1200

Sorry to hear about the burglary Geoff.

I think most of the cinema-going of my youth was in Queen Street. I remember being awed by the lion statues' glowing eyes and the starry ceiling at the Civic; and how squashed my legs were up the top at the St James…

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:57:12 +1200

Kelvin McKechnie talking about the Geraldine Cinema on National Radio ("Our Place") this afternoon.

Geoff Lealand

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:22:54 +1200

Doing a presentation on the state of film-going in New Zealand for The Big Screen symposium in Auckand, September 1-2. May draw on a quote or two from here, with proper attribution, of course,

JacksonP

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:23:59 +1200

Oh, damn Geoff, that's a bugger. Hope they didn't take anything else more precious. Well, your TV might be precious, but I mean more personal stuff.

Sacha

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:30:29 +1200

bugger

Geoff Lealand

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:19:56 +1200

Looks like it will be going-to-the-movies for a while, now that some low-life burgled our house today and stole our flat screen TV!

Geoff Lealand

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:09:37 +1200

The feature of the Silent Film Festival at the De Luxe in Opotiki this year (September 14-15) is Lon Chaney in the original Phantom of the Opera. Oh, the horror!!! Hope to see some of you there,

Hebe

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:47:32 +1200

Must be early 1960s — the price of the Aulsebrooks' things? would be too much for a decade earlier. And the checked shirt is a teddy boy-influenced haircut.

I like it; catches the scrum at the counter and all the little playlets going on there.

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:26:56 +1200

To scoop it up and recycle it? One of the most interesting books ever written by an economist is Richard McKenzie's Why Popcorn Costs So Much At the Movies and Other Pricing Puzzles

Alec Morgan

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:49:06 +1200

The hind quarter numbing length of so many modern movies are perfect for intermissions but they are a no no for most multiplexes who seem to schedule just enough time to scoop up the spilt popcorn between sessions.

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:52:03 +1200

Nice one, Joe. A number of cinemas in NZ retain the intermission eg Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka, which serves freshly cooked snacks at the break.

Joe Wylie

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:50:03 +1200

Intermission ice cream time at Levin's long-vanished Regent. Despite the date range given I reckon it's very early 60s. Patricia with the lovely smile at lower right was in my class at primary.

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:31:03 +1200

Another photo from Te Awamutu

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:30:09 +1200

I should add a couple of photos from the Regent in Te Awamutu. Alan Webb has rescued memorabilia from long-closed cinemas from all around New Zealand, and integrated them into the Regent. It is like visiting a living museum. The photo above is an original 1913 box office--now more a…

Phil fryer

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:46:06 +1200

Thanks for that, Ive enjoyed many of them,but i have to say,
I love what the Helensville theatre has become !

Mark Graham

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:59:46 +1200

I was part of the team that developed the Waiheke Cinema. It was a privilege to work with some great people, Godfrey Hall in particular, who spend hours hunting out and negotiating the purchase of ancient but magnificent projectors. But one thing I will lay claim to was the idea…

Chris Waugh

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:54:54 +1200

Thanks.

JacksonP

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:22:23 +1200

three Westrex/McIntosh tube amps

Boom!

I mean, yeah, that should work. Gotta big lounge?

thegirlstefan

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:33:47 +1200

the "Rialto" is the St James, as was

Julian Melville

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:20:15 +1200

I have many childhood memories of seeing films at the Carlton cinema in Hamilton. Pretty sure that's where I saw Star Wars in '78 or so. When it was eventually taken over by a church in the 90's, they threw out all the old equipment from the projection room. Fortunately…

Hebe

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:39:18 +1200

Catherine Deneuve, has just left the dead bunny on the kitchen bench Such a good word picture: may I steal it sometime?

Sofie Bribiesca

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 10:37:44 +1200

Just to interrupt the cinema discussion for a moment…the Chiefs are Super 15 champions!!!!!

Ohh! Where would we be without them!! ;))

Geoff Lealand

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:26:44 +1200

Just to interrupt the cinema discussion for a moment...the Chiefs are Super 15 champions!!!!!

Geoff Lealand

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:24:16 +1200

The Regent: was that where Richard O'Brien conceived Rocky Horror (so to speak)?

Paul Brislen

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:09:44 +1200

The Regent in Hamilton was the most god-awful fleapit in my day. I remember taking a date to a movie, we had front row seats (in the balcony as the ground floor was closed presumably because it was a cess-pit) and the manager getting quite shirty when we pointed out…

Geoff Lealand

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:26:06 +1200

Just reading a story about the BFI's restoration of nine of Hitchcock's silent features (there were 10 but one has been lost forever) in the latest Sight & Sound. So, really looking forward to seeing Blackmail in the Civic tomorrow--the very best place to see a film such as this,
The…

Chris Waugh

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:59:16 +1200

Ah, right, I think I know the one. Thanks.

Oh, but your link didn't work. An extra full stop crept onto the end, or perhaps the full stop ending your sentence decided to insert itself into the link. Doesn't matter, though, it was easy enough to fix.

Kyle Matthews

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:14:56 +1200

That would be about the time I was starting my life in China. I certainly don’t remember a Rialto when I lived in Dunedin. Where is it? That doorway looks both impressive and a little familiar.

Moray place, about 20 metres west of Princes Street. Used to be Empire De…

Geoff Lealand

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:07:06 +1200

Richard Dalton. He also set up the Lido in Hamilton, which is a wonderful cinema,

Christopher Dempsey

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:50:42 +1200

Richard (forget last name) who runs the Lido in Manukau Rd, did try to do something with the Crystal Palace in about 2006 or so. I became involved because I was on the Eden Albert Community Board at the time, and Richard was interested in taking over the lease for…

Jackie Clark

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:44:23 +1200

I hate to think what it looks like in there now. He was probably worried about your health....

Leopold

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:27:37 +1200

None of you young whippersnappers remember the Rex in Riccarton Road, or the incredibly run-down Embassy in the Square, or its neighbour the Crystal Palace, where I witnessed my first Teddy Boy riot just after the showing of 'Six Five Special'?
Ou sont les neiges dantan?..
On a more recent…

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:36:01 +1200

Still going. The only cinema where I encountered any difficulties--the manager was strangely relectant to let me inside.

Jackie Clark

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:05:59 +1200

Is the Hollywood in Avondale still going, I wonder? Late night showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with raincoats, and associated props.

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:19:35 +1200

So it is. Good news. I wonder if it is still linked to the Lido.

Steve Reeves

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:07:03 +1200

Geoff---if you follow that link in my post above it does seem to be on again. Weekends only--but there! The website was updated today And I noticed a "we are open" sign this morning (getting the bike repaired at VeloEspresso :-) )

So, might be good news!

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:42:52 +1200

The Victoria re-opened late last year, as the fourth screen of the Lido, but closed again in May 2012. I thik it remains closed, unless I am mistaken.

Lilith __

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:10:31 +1200

Catherine Deneuve, has just left the dead bunny on the kitchen bench

The rabbit on the bench, the potatoes in the handbag...it was never going to end well!
But what makes the creepiness so compelling is how almost-normal the household starts out.

Steve Reeves

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:40:52 +1200

The Victoria in Hamilton seems to have opened again!!! Anyone know the story?

http://www.victoriacinema.co.nz/

Richard Grevers

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:51:23 +1200

Geoff, I don't see the Theatre Royal in Raetihi on your site. It it's closed, it must only be a few years ago as they were still running a film festival in 2008.

Richard Grevers

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:47:27 +1200

The cinema in Papanui was the Barclay – it was also my childhood haunt. The building was pulled down close to 20 years ago (when they changed Papanui roundabout into traffic lights the road somehow took up more space) – and the site is now a small park.

Ian Dalziel

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:42:39 +1200

Late night session (of course) at Avenue Cinema, Riccarton, Chchch – the perennially paired Polanski double bill Cul de sac and Repulsion – Catherine Deneuve, has just left the dead bunny on the kitchen bench and is in the bedroom (or was it a bathroom), she casually swings a mirrored…

JacksonP

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:43:36 +1200

Hey what about a thread gathering the most memorable scenes people remember from a movie at a particular theatre?

No reason why we can't do that here.

Mine would be coming from Whakatane to Auckland and seeing Battlestar Galactica in Sensurround at The Civic. About 1978 I think. The scale…

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:23:51 +1200

Probably the most shocking: "She is my sister and my daughter" in Polanski's wonderful Chinatown.

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:16:21 +1200

... and complete strangers grabbed hold of you. Another one would be the 'revelation' scene in The Crying Game. Or further back, to Pyscho,

Hebe

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:37:19 +1200

Cool! It was a long movie.

Hey what about a thread gathering the most memorable scenes people remember from a movie at a particular theatre? Mine would have to be the Regent in the Square in 1978 or 79: Carrie; When, just as we we all shuffling our bags and…

JacksonP

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:22:51 +1200

My father never forgot seeing Tora Tora Tora with the kamikaze fighters coming straight for him – he loved the place..

One of my Super 8 collection. The abridged version, of course. ;-)

Lilith __

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:05:36 +1200

The man was searching the boy’s hair for the numbers on the lad’s scalp. One six appeared, another six. Then … “it’s a seven” someone bellowed, and the whole theatre roared with laughter.

Sometimes the audience has dramas of its own. I remember going to a quiet session of a…

Hebe

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:56:58 +1200

I had forgotten a lot of those theatres until I followed that link. The Cinerama was awe-inspiring. I saw the Omen there when I was mid to late teens: horror films are not my thing and the wraparound screen was terrifying. The man was searching the boy’s hair for the…

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:53:25 +1200

lotsa dodgy ‘Uncles’ compereing matinees – aah Saturday afternoons
Probably . I remember some guy used to come on the stage at intermission. I remember the ice creams, and I remember Shirley Temple. One cool chick. I had great fun :)
Thanks for that Ian, It was the Barclay!

Ian Dalziel

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:10:49 +1200

Memory – the illusion of movement....
Shirley Temple matinees on a Saturday afternoon somewhere near Papanui in Chch. Where would it be?
That would have been the Barclay (1965-75) originally The Empire and a Hall before that
It was at the top junction of Papanui & Harewood roads and Main North…

Chris Waugh

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:19:07 +1200

Thanks, Kyle, but:

maybe 10 or 12 years ago

That would be about the time I was starting my life in China. I certainly don't remember a Rialto when I lived in Dunedin. Where is it? That doorway looks both impressive and a little familiar.

Kyle Matthews

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:51:48 +1200

I’m curious about the Dunedin cinemas, particularly the Rialto. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t there when I lived in Dunedin.

Rialto was extensively redone inside and reopened... maybe 10 or 12 years ago? It's now 6 screens inside, and mixes up blockbusters (4 screens) and film festival (2 screens with…

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:16:58 +1200

Indeed I have tickets for Hitchcock’s Blackmail , with orchestra, at the Civic on Sunday.

Well then…

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:10:47 +1200

Thanks, Sofie. Indeed I have tickets for Hitchcock's Blackmail , with orchestra, at the Civic on Sunday.

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:57:41 +1200

A few photos of the Civic Theatre, yes I know not movies but , but….

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:53:52 +1200

For me the Balmoral Capitol and Oruru Swamp Palace are ones where many hours were spent from school day matinees,

I have the pleasure of actually living near both of those. :)

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:52:45 +1200

Geoff, great photos. Would you know what theatre I went to as a child? Probably a first memory of going to the theatre for me would be of Shirley Temple matinees on a Saturday afternoon somewhere near Papanui in Chch. Where would it be? It would have been circa 1969.

Steve Barnes

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:03:10 +1200

Ah, The Lab. A studio so important that people have been known to run people over to get to.

Nora Leggs

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:30:09 +1200

What a nice and varied batch of cinemas – makes you want to go out for the cinema experience.

Jonathan beat me to it – but here is the detail – entrances to the offices that sandwich the cinema, and the cinema entrance, that sign does look rather sad above…

Geoff Lealand

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:08:18 +1200

Thanks, folks. Seeing this goes some way towards assuaging my disgruntled morning, after queuing outside the Waikato Stadium from 7.40am to 10am, only to miss out on tickets for the Super 15 final on Saturday. Curse those greedy buggers with their stream of 10 tickets!

Must check out the Crystal…

Jackie Clark

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:34:35 +1200

I always feel so sad when I'm going past there. Surely someone somewhere could make it work?

Jonathan Ganley

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:09:01 +1200

“Your Suburban Cinema Showcase” … The Crystal Palace on Mt Eden Rd. Not a lot going on there at the moment, although I have heard the interior and fittings are still very original, with a kauri floor. The cinema was also a music venue at different times over the years…

Alec Morgan

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:57:55 +1200

Full marks Geoff, your comments numbers may top those of Murray Cammick’s “Flash Cars” reprise on Capture. Every one has been to the movies!

For me the Balmoral Capitol and Oruru Swamp Palace are ones where many hours were spent from school day matinees, “Animal House” to arthouse (Cap’). The…

Chris Waugh

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:38:20 +1200

Good work Geoff.

I'm curious about the Dunedin cinemas, particularly the Rialto. I'm pretty sure it wasn't there when I lived in Dunedin.

I had lots of good times in the Metro town hall. But I think film festival films in the Regent Theatre had to be the best -…

Lilith __

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:01:45 +1200

Nice one Geoff! Fascinating subject.

My memories of being a young person in Chch are of all the cinemas ringing the Square, with lights blazing in their enormous and rather grand foyers. Going to the movies was a proper night out, worth dressing up for. People arrived early, and stood…

JacksonP

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:46:47 +1200

Thanks for this Geoff.

My first cinema experience was in the Opotiki Deluxe Theatre, so this has a special resonance for me. I think it might have been Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but as it was when I was about 6, I honestly can't quite recall.

The other cinema of…

Public Address

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:46:47 +1200

Discussion from blog post.