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he New Zealand town of Wanganui
Treceived city status in 1924 when
a number of borough councils were
amalgamated, and the population continued
to grow rapidly.

It was probably this future potential that
attracted J.C. Williamson Films to the area.
Williamsons were rapidly expanding their
theatre building in New Zealand, deciding
on the region to build their fifth theatre.

The city was well served with two theatres:
Fuller Hayward’s three-level Majestic
(name changed from His Majesty's 1st
January 1928 and would close 6 September
1969) plus the Opera House (leased by
Amalgamated Theatres in the early 1930s
until they built and opened the Embassy in
1950). However live shows took preference The Regent in 1946.
over 'pictures' at the Opera House.
Construction was amazing, before the Lacy Smith, formerly with McMahon's in
days of pre-stressed concrete, the main Wellington, then the Artcraft Theatre and
beam to support the dress circle weighed from 1920 to 1929 manager of the Wanganui
21 tons and the nine heavy steel trusses Opera House was appointed manager. (He
weighed three and a half tons each. The later managed the Cosy Theatre at Hastings
whole building took 2000 cubic yards of where he died on 8 August 1935).
concrete and 50 tons of steel, while the
stage was designed for live performances On 16 March 1929 Wanganui's newest and
and provision made for a theatre organ first purpose built picture-theatre, offering a
Opera House. (but due to the advent of sound film this style of luxury residents had never seen before,
was not proceeded with). was opened by the Mayor Mr W Rogers.

In early 1928 the Regent Theatre Company From projection room to screen was 125 Celebrated singer Alex Regan sang for
Ltd was registered, its shareholders feet and new Ernemann II projectors the invited guests before the screening
were Ernest Turner (cycle agent), Jessie were installed by agent Charlie Woods of of MGM’s The Mysterious Lady starring
Saunders (married woman), Charles Sharpe Wellington and Alf Mouldey, chief technical Greta Garbo and Conrad Nagel. On
and Arthur North (auctioneers) and J. C. manager for Williamson. Monday 18 March the theatre opened
Williamson Films (N.Z.) Ltd who had the to the public with a double-bill of the
majority shareholding. The two-tier theatre had comfortable Garbo film and Shadows of the Night with
moquette covered seats, Axminster carpet Lawrence Gray and Polly Moran.
With the site already chosen and land and a unique lighting system with 649 lights
purchased, building began under local builder fitted, amounting to 44,000 candle power. Seating capacity was 1376 (stalls 926 and
J.C. Gopperth. The architect was Llewellyn Seating cost £5,000, projectors £450, tiles dress circle 450) later reduced to 1344.
Williams of Wellington who designed many £1,000, plumbing £1,000 and the main Publicity and media reported 1600 seats;
of Williamson’s Regents. Built to standard beaver support £600. The finished theatre however both Fullers and Williamson's were
specifications, the entire theatre cost was the personification of elegance never notorious for enhancing seating numbers on
£21,000 (pounds), plus another £10,000 to before seen in Wanganui. every theatre they built.
outfit the theatre.

32 2012 CINEM AREC ORD