Page 7 - CinemaRecord Edition 3-2003 #41

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Now though, even the AEC Chief WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Executive predicts a long downturn in
Tight-Lipped About Glenelg Plans Goodbye Astor
ticket sales.
Wallis Cinemas remain non- A neat example of art deco cinema,
Musing on what just a fraction of
commital about plans for the sale of the Astor at Mt Lawley seems set to
that money could do, the manager of
their Glenelg Cinema. Letters from close on 27 August, with management
the Capri Cinema John Cronan has
residents have expressed concerns citing poor patronage as the reason. The
gone public to admit that his 60-year
about losing one of the most interesting future of the site is uncertain, but the
old venue is falling apart. “We struggle
buildings on Jetty Road. building will remain, at least for now.
to keep the theatre going, most of our
All known potential buyers would
staff are volunteers. If we had just $1m. NEW ZEALAND
close and raze the building which is not
we could turn the Capri around.”
heritage listed. One developer is Lower Hutt
The highlight of a visit to the Capri
negotiating with the chain to retain the Hoyts, which closed earlier in the
is the marvellous Wurlitzer preludes.
theatre, arguing that it will benefit from year has been purchased by the Woburn
- The Independent 8 August
his makeover of the adjacent Bay Baptist Church.
Junction Shopping Centre. Two of the five cinemas will be
A Wallis spokesperson was non- merged to create the space for the main
committal about this proposal. church. The price paid was $NZ3.5m.
The building included retail space on
Maybe, just maybe, the fact that
the ground floor.
Michelle Wallis representing Wallis
Cinemas was one of three Adelaide Featherston in the Wairarapa has a
identities recently inducted into the 40-seat DVD theatre (High Definition)
Family Business Hall of Fame, might in the former Telecom building. The fit-
occasion a re-think . out cost $NZ 70,000
The award recognised successful Otaki
Australian family businesses. Wallis Entrance to the former Regent Rundle Coehaven Cinema has expanded
Cinemas was established in 1950 by Mall. The sign reads, ‘There are exciting from four days a week to six. (Closed
Hugh Wallis. The third-generation times afoot - but it’s as usual at the Mondays.) This is another high
business has grown to seven cinemas Regent.’ Let’s hope that’s not just the definition DVD system with Dolby
across Adelaide. developer whistling in the dark. Digital sound.
Value For Money? Drive-In Closure DVD projection has opened the way
A state government proposal for a for low-cost conversions, clearly the
The last night at the Barmera
$50m. upgrade to the Adelaide way forward for smaller operators.
Drive-In, as flagged in CR58, will be
Entertainment Centre, has raised some Reporting by:
Saturday 6 September with the
high-profile dissent about what this
screening of Hancock. Roderick Smith and Brian Hunt
might achieve.
(International), Steve Maggs (Qld.),
Opened in 1991 the AEC has had Ross King (NSW and Vic.), Colin Flint
no problem attracting international (SA and Vic.), Peter Jackson (WA) and
headliners and audiences to match. Tony Froude (NZ)

The Cinema And Theatre Historical Society Inc. is proud to have
The Sun Theatre Yarraville as our major sponsor. Many thanks to member
Mr Michael Smith, the owner of the Sun Theatre, for providing the venue for
CATHS meetings and events.

For program and venue hire inquiries, contact Theatre Manager Ms Angela Murphy
on Tel: 9362 0999 ◆ Fax: 9362 0338 Website: www.suntheatre.com.au
◆
Email: angela@suntheatre.com.au

8 Ballarat Street, Yarraville 3013

CINEMARECORD 2008 7