Page 24 - CR

By David Lascelles

n the 1978 book The Australian Film It was owned by Linley and Coleman
IPoster 1906 - 1960 by Judith Adamson Ltd. Alf Linley was proprietor and managed
there is a double page photo showing a a number of different theatres in Wellington
large theatre front and its films, of particular and Auckland over the period and A. J.
note is the 1921 Australian film The Girl Of Coleman had interests in three or four other
The Bush starring New Zealander Vera theatres.
Harry Griffith in 1966.
James. That theatre was in fact the When finished it was described as the
Britannia in Wellington, New Zealand. most luxurious and expensively furnished
This purposely built cinema was theatre in New Zealand. A continuous picture house -
Wellington’s third (MacMahon’s opened
designed by architects Haggard and Prouse The interior had pure white walls, a
and constructed by contractors Campbell high raised roof with fans between ceiling April 1911 and Shortts December 1911) -
and Bourke using solid steel and tons of and roof. Chandeliers and scrollwork the Britannia seated 496 on two levels with
cement. decorated the auditorium with deep rich reasonable prices, but made money by
charging an extra 1/- (one shilling) for
carpet, spacious aisles and beautiful seats to
Dress Circle reserves - a first for film
please patrons. Modern cloakrooms,
exhibition in New Zealand.
telephones and refreshment rooms lead on
to a modern lounge. Upstairs a spacious Theatre manager was A. J. Coleman and
balcony looked out over Manners Street business manager was Walter Monk.
where patrons could sit and drink tea. In 1915 Linley and Coleman sold out to
On the 15th of December, 1913 the George Johnston and ownership was
Britannia opened for business, the film was registered to Johnston and Paul Ltd.
Prospecting for Gold with selected shorts. The theatre was now under the
In an unusual move, for the first week management of G. L Johnston. George
management did not advertise their Logan Johnston was a Dunedin-born
program, relying on curiousity to attract businessman who owned and operated
people. Certainly on opening night hotels and picture-theatres.
hundreds of people queued outside long
before the doors opened.

c1915.

24 2011 CINEMARECORD