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Because of grim war reports, which March 1946 saw Kerridge sell 50%
dominated the news, along with local of his company to Odeon Holdings Ltd
council elections, there was no grand of London. A few months later the
opening of the film. However, theatre words ‘Direction: Kerridge-Odeon’
and MGM staff decorated the theatre in appeared under the Majestic’s name.
scenes from the film, a highlight being New Manager was Walter Hughes.
hundreds of yards of specially imported For 1947 the theatre played
rich dark red velvet, which was draped everything from Paramount’s Blue
around the foyer. Afterwards, General Skies to MGM’s Fiesta; everything
Manager of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Above: Wartime US Servicemen made money.
New Zealand Phil Maddock took all the dance at the Majestic Cabaret.
Controversy over MGM’s Green
velvet home where his wife turned it Dolphin Street, which opened on 4 June
into drapes, coverings and a beautiful 1943 saw a total of 1197 attend the 1948, raged in the newspapers. Some
dress for young daughter Shirley. 2nd January screening of Mrs Miniver
(316 matinee, 881 evening). After the readers took exception to the stinging
Americans left, the screenings on review of this film which purported to
Sundays were slowly curtailed. show life in early New Zealand. Most
readers praised the film, which was shot
On Sunday 29 August 1943 at a
in Oregon and Hollywood using
women-only meeting, wife of the
American Indians, Mexicans and
President of the United States Eleanor
Hawaiians as Maoris. The National
Roosevelt addressed a full house at the
Film Unit provided 800ft of Maori
theatre; the following day Wellington’s
chants and music for the film. However,
Mayor Thomas Hislop hosted a civic
the New Zealand Government after
reception for her at 5pm.
notice from its advisors on the film
Cabaret dances, parties and balls
requested all government reference and
were very popular, especially with the
co-operation be removed from the
Americans and never more so than
credits and informed MGM’s N.Z.
when Artie Shaw and his band played
General Manager Jack Cleland that no
the Majestic Cabaret.
official launch or function for the film
On 28 February 1945 through his could take place. The film went on to
company Union Investments, R.J. do record business around the country.
Kerridge purchased the remaining
While a war of words was raging
interest in John Fuller & Sons and
about Dolphin Street, the Annual ’33
Fullers Theatre Corporation. However,
Club Movie Ball was taking place in the
for another fifteen months the advertising
Cabaret, a time when the industry let its
would read ‘Fullers Majestic’.
hair down and came out to play. This
Towards year’s end, R.J. Kerridge year the ’33 Club commissioned
bought a controlling interest in John member Lee Hill to film the event and
Fuller and Sons Ltd and Fullers Theatre interview industry figures. The June
Corporation Ltd. He would complete 1948 film survives but those captured
the buy-out four years later. on celluloid do not, but a priceless piece
The arrival of American troops in of film history has been preserved.
1942 was a box-office bonanza for The decade of the 1950s was
exhibitors. Theatres were allowed to launched with Charles Chauvel’s Sons
open on Sundays for the benefit of Of Matthew on 3 March with a huge
forces from allied nations, who could fanfare of publicity generated by
bring only two guests to screenings. Universal Pictures and Kerridge-Odeon.
Theatres never enforced this policy Australian films had always been
(money was money) and councils never popular with New Zealand audiences
or seldom policed it; normal prices Early days at the Majestic. and this film was no exception.
were charged. Seating since the late
Meet Me in St.Louis opening on 17 For four weeks from 5 January to
1930s was now reduced to 2117. At the
August 1945 translated to ‘Meet me at 1st February 1951, Annie Get Your Gun
July 19 matinee for Smilin Through
the Majestic’ and they did - everyone proved there really was ‘No Business
starring Jeanette MacDonald and Brian
came from couples to families. For this Like Show Business’.
Aherne, 284 admissions were recorded;
film management didn’t go to the bank,
1826 in the evening. At year’s end, for
it came to them. It was a wonderful
the Abbott & Costello film Rio Rita on
celebration for war’s end.
December 6, some 1080 attended the
Racing was the theme for
matinee and 2040 in the evening - only
December, as National Velvet became a
77 seats unsold.
winner with four shows a day.
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