Page 8 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

WESTERN AUSTRALIA New Cinema For Hamilton Looking For A Way Out
Multiplex for Rockingham Kiwi Income Property Trust has Reading’s under-performing four-
West Australian-owned Ace built a new cinema in the Centre Place screen complex at Paraparaumu has
Cinemas has opened a ‘state-of-the-art’ retail complex. Auckland cinema owner been the subject of discussions with
multiplex at Rockingham, a southern Richard Dalton has the lease and plans Downtown Cinemas of Palmerston
Perth coastal suburb. a boutique venue - the Lido - seating North, the company that recently
320 people. It will offer hand-rolled ice assumed control of the Paramount
Located in the main shopping
creams, wine and coffee. The venue Wellington.
centre, the complex has eight cinemas,
was close to finished in September and Reading management apparently
including two fully-licenced Cine Gold
should be open now. believes that the Downtown group has
Lounges. Ace Cinemas’ managing
director David Pye said that digital Hoyts Leave Wellington the mojo to make Paraparaumu work.
technology and luxury surrounds were Hoyts final exit came on Wednesday Downtown executives are making no
the future for the family company, 19 August with the closure of the comment.
which has been in business for 50 Regent on Manners - originally Hoyts REPORTING BY:
years. Five Manners Mall. Steve Maggs and Peter Wolfenden
A Rejuvenated Astor The complex had been losing (Qld); Les Tod (NSW); Ross King and
The Astor in inner- suburban money since Reading opened Colin Flint (Vic); Ray Peck (Tas.);
Mount Lawley (CR 61) has new Courtenay Central in 2002. Colin Flint (SA); Peter Jackson (WA);
management and a new life. The building’s owners intend David Lascelles (NZ)
The smaller 90-seat cinema now turning the site into shops, with CORRECTIONS
screens themed double features, while apartments above. On a personal note, Regent Auckland, CR 63
work on the main auditorium will equip this change brings to an end my (David The purchaser of the Regent organ
it for live concerts. Refurbishments Lascelles) 28-year association with was Les Stenerson, not Len, as stated
include a liquor licence, new lighting Amalgamated Theatres, and later on page 18, column 3.
rig, sound upgrades and a retractable Hoyts.
In the same story, a glitch that
screen which allows for conversion from Arthouse at Courtenay Central defies explanation is the wording of the
cinema to concert mode in half an hour. Reading Cinemas, a company second caption, page 19.
NEW ZEALAND initially cool to any art house product, The caption should read:
have seen the light. From September
Hawera’s Cinema 2 Closed. ‘Fading fast. The exterior in May
24, their huge Courtenay Central
South Taranaki council’s decision to 1974, one month before closure. A
location will show two such films a
buy a cinema on behalf of the banner for American Graffiti is over the
week, under the umbrella of Reading’s
ratepayers has come to grief. The entrance. ‘The Regent’ is set in
Angelika Films.
complex was haemorrhaging money leadlight above it.
The effect on other art house
and ratepayers were footing the bill. - Wayne Brittenden Collection.
cinemas such as the Paramount across
The council bought the cinema two
the road, or Brooklyn’s Penthouse,is
years ago for $NZ1m. on the basis it
likely to be minimal.
would be run independently and return
a profit. To date no profit, only debt.

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 Angela Murphy
on Tel: 9362 0999 ◆ Fax: 9362 0338 Website: www.suntheatre.com.au
◆
Email: angela@suntheatre.com.au

8 Ballarat Street, Yarraville 3013

8 2009 CINEMARECORD