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CAIRNS: Over 10 years after GERALDINE: Operation of this TE AWAMUTA: Congratulations
closure, the Coral Twin Drive-In much loved (1924) cinema has changed to Allan Webb at the Regent 5
Theatre has had one last night of glory hands with Barry and Anthea Cinemas who after a long wait and
before the site is cleared to make way McLauchlan retiring 40 years after re- much planning, went 3D with Street
for a 520-unit housing development. opening it in August 1970. Two of the Dance 3D in June.
Prompted by an internet campaign to cinema’s most regular patrons have LEVIN: The recently closed
re-open the theatre, a local organisation purchased the business. 3-screen cinema complex is due to re-
arranged for a one-night-only charity open on October 1st after a $1million
event on August 28. In a state of upgrade and renovation. A café/bar and
dereliction, the original café/bio-box restaurant will also be added.
was cordoned off and replaced by food-
WELLINGTON: Reading 10
vans and digital projection from the
Cinemas at Courtenay Central has
back of a truck. Only one field and
installed a second 3D unit, making
screen was used as the sold-out event
them the only complex in the area to
presented Pirates of the Caribbean and
have two 3D cinemas.
Dirty Dancing as the last two films to
TE PUKE: The independently
ever grace the Coral’s giant screen.
owned four-screen complex has added
LONGREACH: The Star Cinema MIRAMAR: Development of the
went 3D in early September with the Capitol Theatre as a twin is well its second 3D screen after record
business from first-release 3D product
installation of a NEC Projector, GDC underway and the opening date has and a substantial return from Avatar.
Server & Materimage 3D. The program been set for 17th February 2011.
to launch the upgrade to 3D was the DUNEDIN: The Regent Theatre
AVATAR-SE. has finally raised $2 million for its
urgent redevelopment, thereby allowing
LOWER WONGA: Plans to re-
Dunedin City Council to commit its
open the (1992) three-screen Wonga
promised $4.8 million to the fund. The
Drive-In Theatre near Gympie are
theatre will close for tenth months from
underway. New owners hope to have
October.
the drive-in open by December.
NEW ZEALAND
AUCKLAND: July 1st saw
SkyCity rebranded Event Cinemas
following the sale to Amalgamated
Holdings. General Manager, Jane
PARAPARAUMU: Readings
Hastings says that by early next year all
closed this location back in May with
14 multiplexes will have 3D and all
the venue reverting back to its owners,
106 screens will be digital within three
Coastlands. The 4 cinemas were
years.
stripped of all seating, equipment,
DEVONPORT: The old Victoria Newsreel Contributor:
screens and curtains.
Theatre will re-open on October 26 With thanks to: David Lascelles; Colin
HAMILTON: The 60-seat art-house
with plans to offer patrons the best in Flint; Brian Hunt; Ross King; Kevin
Victoria Cinema that opened in 2002 is
cinema luxury. The Victoria Picture Adams; Ian Hanson and many others for
now for sale as a going concern.
Palace will be managed by John news and pics.
Davies of Auckland’s Academy TE RAPA: Six screens to open in * Send your NEWS snippets to the Editor at:
Cinema and will be a three-screen 2011 will be the last of the big cinemarecord@hotmail.com
venue seating a total of 320. developments. Originally a Berkeley
Cinema Group project, it has now been
rolled over to Hoyts.

CINEMARECORD 2010 7