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Manager Alex Regan oversaw the
launching of The Great Waltz on 23
April 1939. The film gathered
incredible reviews, producing record
attendances; staff were waltzing to the
bank - twice a day.
Later that year a new manager
arrived - Selwyn Toogood. For
Christmas 1939 to lift the spirits of a
country at war came The Wizard Of Oz,
running for three weeks from 21
December to 11 January 1940, with an
8pm session on Christmas Day. For the
children, at Toyland in James Smith’s
Department Store, the Lion, the
Scarecrow, and the Tin Man were in
attendance.
Theatre manager Selwyn Toogood
Above: The Laurie Paddi band, at the Majestic Cabaret in the 1940s. decided to leave and enlist in the Army.
Below Left: Majestic Projection Box. One of a pair of Ernemann 7 Projectors installed His replacement was Norman Hayward,
in 1936 and replaced in 1968. Photographer: Brian Austin / David Lascelles collection.
brother of film-maker Rudall and
nephew of Henry. He came from the St
1936 saw the projection box get an BEF (British Empire Films)
James in Auckland. (Trevor Kerridge,
upgrade: new Ernemann 7’s were celebrated its Tenth Anniversary in
brother of R.J., took over the St
installed; large house and stage lighting May 1936 giving the theatre the honour
James.) Norman also later became
dimmer banks were modified. Later a of showing Thoroughbreds, an
Kerridge’s Wellington representative.
double-carrier slide projector providing Australian Cinesound Production
an on-screen dissolving image would starring Helen Twelvetrees. However, Beginning on 12 January 1940 and
become a feature; in 1937 Peerless because of the success of its current finishing on 15 February after a five-
Magnarc lamp houses were added. feature, The Three Ghosts, BEF’s film week run was Goodbye Mr. Chips.
The throw of light from the did not begin until 5 June, which
projection room to the screen was the caused some problems for manager
longest of any Wellington theatre: a Grant Borman. The The March Of Time
little over 100ft. began its popular run in 1937. This
documentary series distributed by RKO
Resident projectionist Jack Irving
Radio Pictures proved very popular
was a perfectionist; he came from the
with audiences.
Majestic Ashburton joining the theatre
shortly before it opened and would On the ground floor of the theatre
remain there until his death in 1968: building, shops flanked the entrance
thirty-nine years of service at Fullers way and upstairs small offices were
Majestic. rented out at various times to film
people. At different times they held a On 6 February 1941 the Australian
Screen Advertising Agent, distributor epic Forty Thousand Horsemen
Natan Scheinwald and later still, Rank thundered across the Majestic screen,
Films. Hidden away at the back of the and near the same number of people
building was Otto Chapman’s thundered into the box office. So
Advertising Display Studio. Otto did all popular was the film that on February
the display and advertising signs for the 20 it was transferred to the Paramount.
region. He remained there until illness Gone With The Wind opened for a
forced his retirement in the late 1970s. special limited engagement on Friday
His assistant Bob Neill took over the 16 May 1941 and ran until 26 June,
business, running it until closure. screening three times daily, six days a
The cream of MGM continued to week; shows were at 10.30am, 2pm,
play the silver screen. Test Pilot ran and 7.30pm - a total of 108
from 15 to 28 July 1938 to be followed performances. Part of the advertising
by the N.Z. Premiere of Rosalie, with by management was promotion that the
Eleanor Powell and Nelson Eddy. evening show would finish in time for
patrons to catch the last suburban trams
The same month, Sir Benjamin
and buses home. On 27 June 1941
Fuller bought back the company from
MGM put the film into general release
the bank, renaming it Fullers Theatre
in Wellington, with the Opera House
Corporation Ltd.
taking over the Majestic’s print.

26 2010 CINEMARECORD