Comments from JohnHolloway

Showing 1 - 25 of 43 comments

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Reserved seating at Frank Theatres on Nov 16, 2010 at 11:11 pm

Right on, MikeRogers. Village Cinemas Rivoli complex in Melbourne insists on a reserved seat policy at all their screenings without the benefit of Ushers. I have witnessed near-fisticuffs over this stupid policy in a session of only 5 patrons! Fair enough if a session is likely to be near or full capacity, but a morning session on a weekday – give me a break.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Gold Class Cinemas takes Dinner-and-Movie to new heights on Aug 20, 2010 at 11:12 am

Gold Class. Outrageous ticket prices only out-classed by exorbitantly priced fried and greasy finger food described as “upscale” dining.
Disruptive waiters weaving in and out of seats, a gym-like workout of tummy crunches attempting to look up to the screen from the reclined position, and audience members who truly believe they have the right to be as rude and disruptive as they please having paid for this “privilege”.
And folks, you should see the state of those food and drink stained seats when the cleaners lights are on!!!

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Joesph Musil passes away quietly on Jul 2, 2010 at 5:46 am

Had the pleasure of meeting this amazing man and his Salon Of The Theatres on my first visit to LA from Australia seven years ago. This was the undoubted highlight for me. Such a charming man with a love for his work and enthusiasm to share his outstanding talent and skills. I was even honoured to see “backstage” – his workshop – which was as awe inspiring as the museum itself. A very sad loss, but please Los Angeles, ensure his Salon Of The Theatres remains as a permanent memorial to his outstanding talent and humanity to inspire future design students and visitors for years to come.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Paris Theatre on Jul 2, 2010 at 5:27 am

Hi Ian,
A friend and myself leased the Paris Theatre for a (very) short time after Hoyts shut it when their 7 screen centre opened in George Street. I am currently writing an article on that brief time for the Cinema And Theatre Historical Society’s publication – Cinemarecord – and would love to obtain your photos for the CATHS`archive, which is the only active archive in Australia for cinema and theatre memorabilia preservation. Please contact me at Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, John Holloway.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Regency Village Theatre on Jun 1, 2010 at 2:18 am

Sorry William. Just another Senior’s Moment.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Regency Village Theatre on May 31, 2010 at 11:18 am

After all the fears of imminent closure of the Village and Bruin earlier this year I wonder how they are operating under the Regency banner. Are the programming and presentation standards being maintained, or infact, even better than when leased by AMC? After all the uncertainties of the future of these 2 theatres so recently, I sincerely hope the local population are supporting Regency in their faith in these showcases.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Balwyn Cinema on Apr 27, 2010 at 9:02 am

When opened in January 1930, the Public Health department identified 22 building breaches. When the owners refused to comply with Health Department demands, the theatre was closed on 6 November 1931, and the owners went into liquidation. Balwyn theatre remained closed until the following April 1932.
Originally the circle was accessed directly from a staircase leading from the stalls foyer. In 1941 major alterations saw the construction of a mezzanine circle foyer and the addition of 2 more toilet blocks.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Plaza Cinema on Mar 6, 2010 at 9:39 pm

Final screening was Saturday December 20, 1975 with the double feature “Fists Of Fury” and “The Chinese Connection”. Following closure, the circle level was extended to the proscenium to accommodate a gymnasium.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Crazyhorse XXX Adult Cinema Theatre on Mar 6, 2010 at 7:10 am

Originally opened with rear screen projection, a conventional bio-box was constructed at the back of the auditorium a few years later. Demolition of the old bio-box, allowing the screen to be moved to the back wall, meant no seating capacity was lost.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Paris Theatre on Mar 3, 2010 at 4:48 am

Naming these two cinemas “Cleopatra” and “My Fair Lady” was a loop-hole around (then) Melbourne City Council by-law that banned film advertising to be displayed above the awning of a cinema. Accordingly, both films were then able to be promoted with huge back-lit and neon flashing displays across the facade of the buildings, all in the guise of the theatre’s “name”.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music" on Mar 3, 2010 at 4:19 am

Just as well opening weekend attendances weren’t considered the be-all and end-all as to a movies success or failure back in 1965. Despite much publicity for the 70mm premiere at the Paris theatre in Melbourne, the film opened very “soft”. It took about 3-4 weeks before word-of-mouth saw SOM become the biggest box-office hit of all time in Victoria. If such a situation arose today, it would be pulled after one week.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Hoyts Doncaster Drive-In on Dec 8, 2009 at 7:02 am

Located in the suburb of Bulleen, Hoyts changed the name to Doncaster – in actual fact a few suburbs away, when the new Eastern Freeway opened and terminated at Doncaster. It was hoped that a new Freeway access would help attendances. Throughout its short life this drive-in was plagued with the constant problem of fog. Constructed on low-lying ground virtually on the banks of the Yarra river, the rolling foggy conditions were impossible to control.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Movie theatre directory ads going the way of the dinosaur on Aug 29, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Movie ads today are so boring! A film title with dozens of “critics” grabs (eg. remember a few years back when “2 thumbs up” was THE big selling point?“
How I long for the days when movies were sold to the public with wonderful art-work and a sense of what the movie was about. Look no further than 1960’s examples of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” or “The Yellow Rolls Royce”. Beautifully designed publicity that left the public in no doubt as to the type of movie they were about to buy tickets for. Truly, a lost art-form.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Aug 29, 2009 at 1:10 pm

One for the rumour file. I hear Hollywood Heritage are very keen to take over this property. Can anyone confirm/deny please?

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Remembering Cinerama (Part 39: Tampa) on Aug 28, 2009 at 1:11 pm

Hi Michael. Am amazed that a conversion to 3 strip Cinerama was realised as late as 1962. The limited play dates indicate that this was well near the end of the “use by” date. Don’t get me wrong – I loved 3 strip Cinerama – but this truly was at the dawn of “Super Panavision” single lens, and I’m surprised that any theatre chain would have agreed to the cost of installing 3 strip so many years after the initial introduction. Cinerama Dome I can understand, as it was a new building, but the expense of converting a standard auditorium at such a late date has me bewildered.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Paris & Beekman projectionist pickets on Aug 24, 2009 at 10:59 am

fanoffilm – Please expand on this news. Does this have anything to do with recent posts re rumoured change of management? Should The Paris be endangered, NY will the be the poorer.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Regency Bruin Theatre on Aug 21, 2009 at 8:11 am

Having never been privileged to visit this theatre, as well as the Village, and indeed, the now lost National, is it possible that Mann might consider twinning or even tripling these iconic theatres in an attempt to secure their future? Please note – this is NOT my preferred option, but better than the fate that befell the National. BTW. What now occupies the land that used to be the National?

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about "Avatar" trailer tickets available today on Aug 17, 2009 at 11:49 am

Sorry, cannot believe this is a positive in an attempt to sell a film, much less “glitz”. “Avatar”, no matter how much hype, will be a 2 week wonder. Consider “Sound Of Music”. Opened here in Melbourne as a Roadshow presentation to very soft business. If the present “opening weekend” figures were factored then, SOM would have closed the following week. Instead, it went on to break all box office records with a 31/2 year run due to word of mouth.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about What will they think of next? on Aug 13, 2009 at 8:55 am

For heaven’s sake. If you can’t last 2-3hours without a toilet stop it’s time to get a referral to a urologist. I can’t believe audience members are unable to enjoy a movie without drinking copious amounts of soda and stuffing their mouths with food. Best wishes and continued success to you, Manager, Grand theatre PA. You obviously take a pride in the satisfaction of your audience, monitor the auditorium and enforce the rules you have set to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of your most important asset – your ticket-buying audience. If only there were more like you.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Happy 1 year anniversary, The Dark Knight!!! on Jul 27, 2009 at 10:54 am

Yes, JodarMovieFan, but what a sad inditement that there appears to be only one new 70mm print of West Side Story in circulation – and predominantly in Europe. Only takes one stuff-up to ruin a (previously) pristine print. Let’s keep hoping for a brand new 70mm print run for world wide distribution.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Happy 1 year anniversary, The Dark Knight!!! on Jul 27, 2009 at 4:03 am

Not just United States MPol – around the world (particularly Australia) so we can all rejoice in this wonderful classic

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Biograph Cinema on Jul 23, 2009 at 10:38 am

Young and innocent(?) How i wish I had the balls to visit this cinema when living in London during the 1970’s. Would love to know what theatrical/architecural piece of history was lost to London when demolition took place.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about London Pavilion on Jul 23, 2009 at 10:29 am

Worked here for a fortnight in the mid 70’s. Feature was one of the latest Pink Panther films doubled with “A Shot In The Dark”. I was assigned to the top balcony, which had no foyer, so was forced to sit through this double-feature for 8 hours a day! We had 2 x 20 minute breaks per shift which involved going down 2 storeys to the stalls foyer,walking the length of the stalls to a side entrance of the stage, walking behind the screen and then climbing an old metal spiral staircase for another 4 storeys to reach the tea room. Of course, after completing this marathon, it was time to turn back and return to your assigned work position!

I also recall an alarming keystone affect of the screen, due to the steep throw from the bio-box which was situated at the back of the top circle.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Rivoli Village Cinemas on Jul 23, 2009 at 10:05 am

Always a pleasure to visit the Rivoli. Beautifully maintained, impecably polite and helpful staff – always feel this is a result of superb managerial skills, and showmanship second to none. No ifs/buts will the curtains be operating today! A true Cinema Treasure.

JohnHolloway
JohnHolloway commented about Astoria Theatre on Jul 12, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Another nail in the coffin of the disappearing heritage of Greater London. Next to go is Odeon West End. When will the city fathers learn?