Page 38 - CinemaRecord #79

The candy bar is still home to the old
favourites but it is now possible to get
an espresso coffee, a beer or a glass of
wine or champagne, all to take into the
auditorium.
With the refurbishment completed thus In a press release to re-launch the Towers
far, the foyers and public areas present in 2012, Peter Cody, General Manager,
very well. Comfortable tub chairs and Film and Entertainment content at Event
cafe style tables and chairs are dotted Cinemas made it clear where he saw the
throughout the complex, complemented Towers fitting into the cinema scene:
by “European” lamps and accessories. “A place where grown-ups can come. A still imposing exterior.
It’s not a multiplex where teenagers run
The de-branding of the site from riot”.
Greater Union has been well achieved:
poster lightboxes are now branded The Tower Cinemas have evolved over
Tower Cinemas Newcastle, the Candy the years, changing to meet the challenges
Bar overhead signage is generic as is in the industry and the city. Its flashier
the popcorn packaging. Whilst there cousins, the suburban multiplexes, have
are concessions to modernity, such as prospered and multiplied with more
credit cards and automated ticketing, as screens, better seats and bigger screens
you would expect, the session times and but there is still a place for cinemas like
prices are displayed on an old fashioned the Towers.
letterboard utilising metal letters and
numbers. The complex is loved by many
Combined with the stylish new carpeting Newcastle people, who frequently travel
and the classic brick walls and timber from all over the region to attend a film
handrails, the overall effect is very at the Towers. It is not just the film they
pleasing to the eye. come to see, which can often not be seen
anywhere else in the region, let alone New carpets in the recent upgrade.
In addition to additional arthouse their local multiplex, but it is the warmth
product, the Towers have become and comfort of the experience, not unlike
home to a number of touring and visiting an old friend.
locally created Film Festivals, filmed
opera and dramas, screenings of cult Screen presentation is always excellent, a
documentaries, surfing films, classic testament to the work of the experienced
film seasons and the like. A long running staff. Some of the staff have been there
arrangement with the Newcastle Film almost as long as the cinema, know
Society sees large crowds in the largest many of their customers by name or
cinema on Sunday nights. at least on sight, and have developed a
warm rapport with them over time.
Whilst commercial considerations see
some mainstream product booked for The Towers is the neighbourhood
the Towers, the general tone and feel cinema we would all like to have in our Combined Box-Office/Candy Bar in 2013.
is more of an arthouse cinema than a neighbourhood.
mainstream one, and most of the product
is certainly far removed from the typical
multiplex fare.
Resources and Acknowledgements: Greg
Technological advances have seen Donnan, Kevin Adams, Nic Brett, Robert
the cinema keep pace with changes Paterson, The Newcastle Herald, The Greater
in technology, converting to digital Union Story and Australasian Exhibitor.
projection and 3D in recent years.

Main entrance foyer in 2013.

After 37 years it’s still a great place to see a movie! Film projector now on display in the foyer.

38 2013 CINEM AREC ORD