Page 37 - CinemaRecord #79

Cinema Two in 1999.

The Towers operated on a four sessions
a day policy: “11,2,5, and 8”, with minor
variations. Longer films sometimes played
with an Intermission, but shorter ones always
played with a short and/or cartoon, then an
Intermission before the feature.
In the 37 years since the complex opened,
there have been a lot of changes in the cinema
exhibition business and at the Towers. The
four sessions a day policy with intermissions Cinema Two features mustard coloured curtains.
was replaced in the 1980’s with a policy that
allowed for the maximum number of sessions
per day, no intermissions and no shorts except
in exceptional circumstances. The Towers,
now with no other city competition, plays
films from all the major distributors as well as
the smaller independents.

The lower level candy bar was combined (circa
2003) with the box office to minimise staffing
levels, as is the case with most cinemas today.
Since opening the foyer carpets have been
replaced twice, but the original carpet can still
be seen inside the auditoriums. The original
vinyl seats are still in-situ, something of an
issue for regular patrons.
Over time Greater Union re-badged the
Towers in its advertising and marketing as
“Greater Union Newcastle”, although the
locals continued to refer to the complex as the
Towers. In 2012 the complex was officially
relaunched as Tower Cinemas Newcastle.
The re-branding saw the Greater Union name
come off all advertising and promotion, and a
Tower Cinemas website and Facebook page
were created.
Cinemeccanica Projectors in 1999 - now given way to digital projection.
Film product at the Towers had been moving
closer to that of an arthouse, with some more
obviously commercial product for a number of
years, a process that had accelerated after the
2008 forced closure of the Showcase Cinemas
(former Lyrique).
A $700,000 refurbishment of the complex
and a liquor licence complemented the new
direction in programming.

Upstairs foyer and candy bar. Upstairs foyer and entrances to cinemas 1 and 2.

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