Page 19 - CR

he Rialto Cinemas – 1999
TOpened: 9 September 1999.
In 1998 Starbridge Holdings
purchased the building. The old theatre
was then redeveloped by the property
trust into a triple screen venue and
leased to Rialto Cinemas. The new
cinemas opened on 9 September
(5)
1999 .
The Rialto company was
responsible for the “fit out” of the
cinemas. Two of the cinemas were built
in the former stalls area and another
large cinema was constructed forward
of the former front circle area. The Above: This closed-up archway is where the
entrance vestibule floor was re-sloped old staircase came up from the original
and upgraded with a new terrazzo Prince St entrance.
surface. Left: Entry to upper Circle.
Rialto Cinemas (now a subsidiary Bottom left: Detail of column now
of Readings Cinemas) managed to hidden from public view.
display some of the elements of the
original theatre, particularly in the
former circle foyer. Part of the riveted (5) Cinema goers in Dunedin are currently
wrought iron beam supporting the Subsequently, in August 2004 , the served by the Rialto 6 Cinemas, Hoyts
circle has been uncovered and featured Rialto underwent a $2million face-lift Octagon 6 Cinemas, the Metro Twin and
along with some murals and an alcove and reopened on 9 September with two occasionally the single screen Regent (Film
from the 1927 building. small (40 & 50 seats) digital cinemas in Festivals).
the back corners of the former dress
Plaques explaining these finds have References:
circle. (1) Information sourced from copied plans,
been afixed thereby creating a lot of
patron interest. The former circle foyer, On 17 December a sixth cinema courtesy Glynn Babington and Russell
Day.
now called the Long Room, is used for was built across the stage about half (2) Information sourced from copied images –
functions way up the fly tower. The entry to this courtesy Glynn Babington and Russell
cinema was from the old circle level. Day.
Some seating in Cinema 3 had to be (3) Discussions & theatre inspection Nov.
removed to allow for an access corridor 2008 with New Zealand Film Buff
to Cinema 6 to be built. members Glynn Babington and Charles R
Gilligan.
All of the cinemas in the Rialto are
(4) “The Celluloid Circus – The Heyday of
comfortably seated with good sight the New Zealand Picture Theatre” by
lines. The Moorish theme has again Wayne Brittenden. Published Random
been used as part of the décor of the House NZ.
cinemas with curtained alcoves located (5) David Lascelles – NZ Cinema Historian
in most walls. and CATHS member.
(6) Various print media accounts.
A new modern façade was installed
above the front entrance. Rialto are to Photographs:
• Auditorium courtesy Charles R Gilligan
be congratulated on the 1999 “fit out”
Collection.
which gave the complex a stylish look
• Inside Looking Out (new entrance) – 1993
whilst retaining the Moorish ambience by Robert Hatten. Courtesy David
as much as possible. Lascelles Stills Collection.
In revised form - the Empire lives on! • Outside Looking In (new entrance):
Courtesy David Lascelles Stills
Collection.
• Installation of new proscenium – April
1967 Otago Daily Times. Courtesy David
Lascelles Stills Collection.

CINEMARECORD 2010 19