Page 27 - CinemaRecord #86

inspected a large VMax
auditorium in the new complex.

The nearby Readings 8
Charlestown which opened in
October 2010 in the
Charlestown Shopping Centre
was the last cinema visit of the
day. It also attracts patrons with
cheap tickets and a premium
‘luxury’ cinema experience
with its Gold Class TitanXC
unassuming Regal Cinema at Birmingham auditoriums. The helpful
Gardens that is run by volunteers, and operates Cinema Supervisor allowed us
on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights with to visit the auditoria between
weekend matinees. Over 90 patrons attended screening sessions in the 45
the afternoon matinee, which was ending as commencing our inspection, a fire alarm minutes of our tour schedule.
we arrived for our inspection. This 1931 sounded, causing a quick evacuation of the
community hall re-opened just over a year ago building. Our host and staff sprang into action This brought about the official end of the
due to community support and agitation when to clear the cinema, and so we cut short this CATHS Newcastle Tour for 2015. The
demolition seemed imminent after its closure visit and departed after what was deemed a significant organization, co-ordination, and
in 2006. The owners, the neighbouring false alarm. smooth-running of any tour, but especially one
university, wanted to demolish the building. that involves cinema visits like ours, can only
A much anticipated highlight of the Newcastle occur with committed volunteer work of the
Our hosts, theatre managers George Merryman Tour itinerary was the next venue – the Civic many people who need to be acknowledged.
(with mascot dog, Frankie) and Jo Smith Theatre, a magnificently restored Newcastle
offered complimentary wine and sweets on our landmark built and owned by the Newcastle The early preparatory work was undertaken by
arrival, then described the recent community City Council, and which was a cinema for over Crosley Carpenter and Kevin Adams last year.
campaign and fortuitous purchase of digital 40 years. Our passionate and well-informed Les Tod, the co-author of the definitive book
projection and sound equipment to save this tour guide expressed his appreciation in on the history of Newcastle and region
‘boutique’ cinema. Essential to its continuing showing the theatre to CATHS members. He theatres, “Front Stalls or Back”, was a constant
success is its programming for the local had an understanding of the importance and source of valuable information and assistance,
demographic, students and discerning film- significance of retaining the integrity of this both as a tour guide and in helping select
goers as well as providing the unique cinema 1929 ‘atmospheric picture palace’, with its venues for the itinerary with Crosley
experience – including its monthly ‘cult ‘Spanish Baroque’ style decoration, for future Carpenter, Mike Trickett and Gerry Kennnedy
classic’ nights. For patrons, the less than $8 generations to see. Now a ‘live’ theatre, he during an earlier reconnaissance trip to
ticket price for this ‘not for profit’ cinema is Newcastle. Many thanks must
proving successful. • See colour image on back cover. also go to Richard Twentyman
and Mike Trickett for the
Dinner that night gave the tour participants transport co-ordination and
time to share each other’s impressions of the driving.
cinemas we had visited and building
anticipation of Sunday’s venue visits. We also express our sincere
appreciation to Event Cinemas'
Day 2 began with an early visit to meet Bob Greg Donnan, Hillsong Church
Mason, the exhibitor for over 40 years at the Youth Pastor Nic Dillon-Smith,
280 seat Lake Cinema, Boolaroo – another Friends of the Regal, Civic
hall converted for screening films since 1974. Theatre guide Richard Laws,
Bob is a wonderful and knowledgeable ‘old- Islington Market owner Terry
Harrison, Brian Lizotte of
Lizotte’s Lambton, New
Lambton Community Centre
described the interesting details of the Manager Sue van Rugge, Location Director
sympathetic restoration of 1992/1993, and the Anthony Duke at Hoyts Charlestown, Cinema
remodelling needed to bring the venue up to Supervisor Gabrielle Keers at Readings 8
current theatre requirements for major Charlestown, Bob Mason of the Lake Cinema,
productions and patron comfort. It truly is and all the other staff who were so helpful.
Newcastle’s premier theatre and a credit to the
city. Lastly, on behalf of all tour participants,
special thanks again must go to the informative
After a lunch break at the Newcastle Museum, local host Crosley Carpenter in personally
our next destination was the suburb of co-ordinating all the venue times, navigating
school’ projectionist who has a keen interest Charlestown, where two multiplexes are the roads in the Newcastle region and being
in preserving artefacts from defunct Newcastle situated – again creating the extreme price such a personable and knowledgeable guide.
theatres, some of which are displayed the foyer competitiveness required to lure patrons as It was a mammoth job and all participants were
and candy bar. Again, it is Bob’s attention to well as new features for cinemas-goers. so appreciative of what was a memorable 2015
quality in the single screen cinema experience CATHS Newcastle Tour. «
for his patrons that creates his loyal following Hoyts 6 Charlestown has been established
– despite the competitiveness of the nearby since August 1969 as a stand-alone cinema Images: Tony Tibballs
Event/GU Glendale multiplex – the CATHS complex. It is situated behind the (former)
tour‘s next destination. NB: It is anticipated that several Newcastle
small independent Renown Theatre that theatres will feature in future issues of
operated between 1927 until its closure in
Opened in 1996, this multiplex is another 1963, but has now been gutted. The group CinemaRecord.
Event/GU run cinema. However, just after

CINEMARECORD # 86 27