Page 28 - CR

On one such day, the dayshift
projectionist had threaded up both machines
and left. The on-duty operator came in from
the hotel next door during the power cut
and struck a match to see which projector
had what reel on it and the nitrate film
caught fire! Safety measures kicked in with
the fire being confined to the projection
room – a small fire quickly put out but
leaving a huge mess!
Projectionist Des O'Callaghan was
called in from home and after five hours
work, still had an evening program on the
screen by 8pm. (Nitrate film could be
screened publicly by theatres in New
Zealand until 1st October 1964 when it was
banned by the government).
One of Hollywood’s best film-fantasies
(but largely ignored on its first release) was
Early 1966. Columbia’s The 5000 Fingers of Doctor T.
Harry booked the film eight times on a
On 17 July 1952 George Logan double-bill over a period of two years and it
Johnston died but it was business as usual, was always successful. Columbia told him A Columbia program screening at
Harry carried on as manager for the estate. that the Roxy was the only theatre in the 2.30pm could be replaced by a Universal
double at 5pm and frequently was – the
Within the year he had bought the country to make the film a box-office Roxy could change programs three or four
building and business, forming the Roxy winner!
times a week!
Theatre Company Ltd, trading as Roxy Harry had a great way of doing business,
Theatre Ltd. always by phone, seldom by letter. His If you wanted to visit the projectionists
you had to pass muster by Harry and leave
Harry didn’t like children – to him they judgement of a film’s performance was any parcels or bags in the office as he did
were rowdy, undisciplined and had too much simple – he used a card system and everyday not want liquor smuggled up to the
money (however that did not stop him taking at 2.30pm he would look at the takings and if projection booth. What he failed to realize
it off them at the ticket box and sweet shop)! they didn't meet his bottom line then the however, was that the window in the bio-
program was off at 5pm that same day –
But his main dislike was during the box looked out on to the rear of the Duke of
causing extra work for projectionists Bryan
weekends and school holidays when they Edinburgh Hotel – and by arrangement with
Brown or Des O’Callaghan.
would remain in their seats watching the staff, the projectionists would lower an
program again and again thereby denying Upstairs where the large balcony used empty film container on a long rope to a
him the chance of reselling those seats! to be was a film vault which Universal waiting barman who would fill it with
Pictures used to store their film overflow.
He was also a favourite with the flagons which would then be hoisted back
Harry had an arrangement with the
Ministry of Education, for if children turned up by the thirsty operators!
company to use any film at anytime which
up during school hours Harry had his Theatre seating was reduced to 472
he did just ringing booker Selwyn Cox and
cashier ring the truant officer, but only after around this time. The Wellington Film
telling him the titles. It never concerned
she had sold the unsuspecting child a ticket Society’s Cinema Club held Sunday Night
Harry that the evening papers carried
… Harry ever the businessman! screenings at the theatre of films that either
advertisements for the wrong program!
By 1955 a new advertising catch-line had not received a commercial release or
was starting to appear in newspaper met with limited play-dates.
advertising that over time would become as
well known as its owner Action in the Roxy
Manner - You Said It, Harry continued with
the practice of mixing but not matching
product.
The strangest double bill the theatre
played was the Marx Bros At the Circus
teamed with Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar –
but it made money! Maintenance was
carried out in the projection room and the
Ernemann 11s were replaced with
Waltadour 5s and Peerless Magna-arcs.
At this time, Wellington on weekends
had power cuts from 1pm to 3pm to
conserve energy. Afternoon movies
therefore could not start till 3pm or after
(only the Plaza had its own power by
plugging into the James Smith's generator
1946.
who owned by the building).
28 2011 CINEMARECORD