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October 13 1962 saw the final screening of
Gary Cooper’s last film The Naked Edge;
a murder mystery filmed in London. On
Sunday the 14th an Ealing Studios favourite
Whiskey Galore played and starting on the
Monday through to Wednesday was the
Hammer thriller Scream of Fear with Susan
Strasberg and Christopher Lee.
From Point Chevalier in Auckland came Bill
Glass who took over as manager in November
1963, but in a matter of months he was
sent to the Auckland Regent and replaced
by L.J. Rogers - a manager with a flair for
showmanship. Not too long after his arrival it
was announced that he was the recipient of the
newly instituted New Zealand Top Showman
Trophy (a Rank Organisation award) beating
110 other Kerridge-Odeon theatre managers.
The award depicted a model of the famous
'Rank Films' symbol of a man striking a silver
gong and set on a silver base. It was presented
to Mr Rogers at the theatre by Mayor Mr E. A.
Millward during an official function held to Foyer with stalls roped off. Eldon Burkett outside his theatre in 1982.
mark the occasion.
Film promotion was at its best to launch In 1971 Eldon Burkett returned as manager, In early September 1986 it announced the
Universal's Arabesque with Gregory the 33rd manager since the theatre opened, imminent closure of the Regent, setting
Peck and Sophia Loren on November 25 and the last. But his fifteen years in the the date as Thursday 11 September. On that
1966, resulting in an extended season and manager’s chair added greatly needed night the biggest crowd in a decade turned
excellent returns. stability at the theatre. Projectionist Jack up and the stalls downstairs had to be opened
Valentine departed in 1973 after thirteen to accommodate all who attended. Spooling
However, overall attendances around the years and Eldon stepped in becoming up the film for the last time on the Kalee-19s,
country were decreasing and Kerridge- manager/projectionist. Roy Campbell felt a touch of sadness. And
Odeon could not sustain two theatres in the so as the credits rolled on the final screening
city. Head Office decided to close the largest Many popular films were getting extended of Clockwise starring John Cleese, it was
and oldest which had the highest overheads runs at the evening sessions - The Godfather suddenly all over.
and so in September 1969 the doors of the repeatedly played to 1300 people! In 1978,
Majestic closed and all contractual product Roy Campbell arrived as projectionist, After 57 years there would be no more chewing
would be put through the Regent. The allowing Eldon to resume fulltime gum stuck to seats, no more Jaffa’s raining
problem then was that it could take some duties as manager. down from up the back, no more hand-holds or
films up to a year longer to play Wanganui cuddles in the back row, no more ice-cream so
and others would not screen at all. March 1979 marked the 50th Anniversary hard it took forever to get a decent mouthful,
of the Regent and it was celebrated in style no more an irritable usherette trying to keep
with a huge gala affair organised by Eldon the peace, armed with nothing but a torch
and his team - with full press coverage. Sixty and a sharp tongue. No more jeers when the
former staff members and invited guests projectionist missed his cue. No more cheers
attended to celebrate and remember, with for the Saturday afternoon heroes.
special certificates given to all.
No more make-believe. Only memories.
By the early 1980s attendances were still Precious memories of a time long since
declining, grey clouds were gathering and past... the likes of which, we will never
the launch of video in New Zealand didn't see again. H
help the box office. Now only the dress circle
was being used.

On 11 March 1985 Kerridge-Odeon put the Photographs from the David Lascelles collection. ©
building up for sale with a lease-back clause SOURCE MATERIAL.
attached and it quickly sold for $375,000. The Wanganui Herald: 16/3/29, 25/5/1985, 12/9/1986.
company was stream-lining, consolidation Kerridge-Odeon Newsletter -December 1948
was the word, but within a few years it would New Zealand Official Year Book 1962.
be fighting for its very survival. Wanganui District Council Archives
Film Research (theatre files).
Kalee-19 with President arc. Jenny Burkett, Jack Valentine, Rob H.

CINEM AREC ORD 2012 35