Page 5 - CR31R.pdf

New Complexes for Andersons
Ballarat based Anderson Multiplex
Cinemas have announced that their 5
screen Sunbury multiplex is due to
open on July 4, 2002.
Mr. Paul Alessandrini has been
appointed as Theatre Manager, and will
also become responsible for the
company’s other new complex at
Melton, which is due to open in
November. Anderson’s 8-screen
Victoria Gardens centre at suburban
Richmond, is now likely to open early
in 2003.
Expansion Delayed
Delays, which have held up the start
on constructing three additional
Above: Slated for refurbishment, the main auditorium at the Brighton Bay Twin.
The Cinema was built in 1920 as the Brighton Theatre and was modernised to become auditoriums, adjoining Northcote’s
Hoyts Centre Theatre. Closure came in 1959 until re-opening as a modern twin in 1980. historic Westgarth Theatre should soon
Photo: Kevin Adams. be resolved.
Extra Screens for Brighton Bay Big Screens in Small Cities The proposed new screens are
Two additional screens are Whilst Sydney and Melbourne necessary to ensure the ongoing viability
proposed for Palace Cinemas’ Imax Theatres continue to trade well, of the original 1921 heritage auditorium,
Brighton Bay Twin. The proposed the giant-screen venues in the less which is to be fully retained.
auditoriums would be built from an populated cities are finding it difficult Regent’s 70th Birthday Premiere
existing dance studio located above to survive. Located approximately 150kms
shops in an adjoining building. On January 31st, 2002, the Imax south of Auckland, (New Zealand), the
Entry to the new auditoriums would Theatre in Adelaide closed, and more Regent Cinema at Te Awamutu,
be via the existing cinema foyer and recently, the Perth Imax has been celebrated its 70th anniversary on
the entire complex will undergo a advertised for sale- with possible March 12, 2002 with the NZ premiere
refurbishment program. “vacant” possession. of the new Russell Crowe movie, “A
Respected Pioneer Passes Lady Viola Tait Beautiful Mind”.
It is with much sadness that we note Readers of CinemaRecord may The Regent operates under the
the passing of Victorian cinema identity have learned of the recent death of ownership of CATHS member Allan
Tony LoRicco on December 2, 2001. Lady Viola Tait, aged 91. Webb, and was visited by our members
during the CATHS tour of New
Tony began his career at the Regent Lady Tait, wife of former theatre
Theatre in Colac (V) where he also mogul, Sir Frank Tait, was born in Zealand in 2000.
met his future wife, Wilma Everett. Austria. She came to Australia in 1941 Third Screen Approved
They married in Colac and in 1970 as a soprano and later became the The plans to erect a third screen at
moved to North Ringwood. director of the Australian Ballet Society the independent Dromana Drive-In
Tony was a veritable wizard when it and chairwoman of the Royal Academy Theatre have now been approved.
came to projectors and sound of Dancing. Operator, Paul Whittaker, stated
equipment. For twenty years he In 1971, Lady Tait wrote a book “The builder is preparing to start work
employed his many talents with the titled “A Family of Brothers” which for the new projection room and ticket
Department of Education. He also was an insight into her husband’s box in April. We will have at least one
participated in the making of the film family who operated the screen closed for some weeks."
“Stark” and had worked for both J.C.Williamson Theatre Company. A 40th Anniversary party, and
Village and Palace Cinemas. opening of the third screen is planned
Australian Centre for the Moving
Image for Saturday 21st December 2002.
ACMI (formerly Cinemedia) are
due to open their new ultra-modern
complex at Melbourne’s Federation
Square later this year.
Two cinemas are included in the
plans, the largest of which is planned to
be able to screen every conceivable
format – from “super 8, 16mm, 35mm
and 70mm through to large frame/Imax
type films”.
Above: The Colac Regent is now the Above: Ticket box at the Dromana Drive-In.
RSL club. Photo: Kevin Adams. Photo: Kevin Adams.
CINEMARECORD 2002 5