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The Rialto, Dunedin was a lesson Not post Bryan and Dawn Ellis, Film Buffs
in what not to do. Once an Arabian office Christchurch
Nights ‘atmospheric,’ it is now carved delivery Ian and Bev Fisher, Film Buffs
into six cinemas. boxes, but Christchurch
Touches of the original have been recycled Glyn Babington, Film Buffs Dunedin
retained. A section of a massive girder, video Warren and Yvonne Smith, Film Buffs
which supported the second balcony, cassettes Auckland
thrusts out from the wall of the stairs to make eye- Nick Paris and John Newman, Isaac
the upstairs foyer. The ceiling and a catching Theatre Royal and Odeon, Christchurch
feature wall in this foyer are also decoration: Barry McLachlan, Geraldine Cinema
original. A walkway to one of the Academy,
cinemas passes a single, now out of Dunedin. Ann Ellis, Theatre Royal, Timaru
John Wilson, Metro, Dunedin
scale, ornamental column.
As an experiment in homage, the Russell Campbell, Regent, Dunedin
effect is unsettling. Cut off from their Frazer Falconer, St James, Gore
original purpose, these remnants are at Lyn Daly, Civic, Invercargill
odds with the new aesthetic. A cinema Neville Cook, Reading, Invercargill
is not a museum; if an extreme design is Brendan Sparks, Reading, Invercargill
out of favour, strip it out and start again.
Terry and Lesley Ericsson, former
On a last walk of the streets of Embassy, Invercargill
Christchurch before the flight home, Calum McLeod, Cinema Paradiso,
some of the group came upon the former Wanaka
Avon theatre, now a bar and bistro. The
Michael Orchard, Regent, Hokitika
interior is largely unchanged. Rock
Mark Falloon, Crooked Mile Talking
videos play on a giant screen framed by
Pictures, Hokitka
the original proscenium. The new name
Margaret McDonald, Regent,
was The Holy Grail.
Greymouth
Somehow that sign on a former
Owen Burnett, Miners Hall, Ruranga
theatre was just the right finish to the
Remnant Bruce Middleton, St James, Westport
day. A group of theatre pilgrims had
column,
taken to the road; whether we all found Hans Wouters, City New Lifestyle
Rialto
what we were searching for was Church, Christchurch (former
Dunedin.
uncertain, but as in all journeys of Majestic).
discovery, it was the quest, not the Acknowledgments Mike Trickett and Jim Barrand, our
outcome that was important. ★ On a trip involving so much detail, good natured drivers deserve special
With reporting by: the number of people prepared to assist, mention, as do their navigators Peter
Rod Bendix, Barry Hodges, often going out of their way to do so, is Wolfenden and Gerry Kennedy. And
John Fitzsimons, Gerry Kennedy, large. At the risk of missing a name or thanks to David Lascelles, Wellington
Wally Perkins, Rod Smith, Ian Smith two, the CATHS’ group is grateful to for sending supplementary information.
and Peter Wolfenden. the following people for their help:

The Cinema And Theatre Historical Society Inc. is proud to have
The Sun Theatre Yarraville as our major sponsor. Many thanks to member
Mr Michael Smith, the owner of the Sun Theatre, for providing the venue for
CATHS meetings and events.

For program and venue hire inquiries, contact Theatre Manager Ms Giulia Virtuoso
◆
on Tel: 9362 0999 ◆ Fax: 9362 0338 Website: www.suntheatre.com.au
Email: giulia@suntheatre.net.au

8 Ballarat Street, Yarraville 3013

CINEMARECORD 2006 11