Comments from GraemeEdwards

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GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Starlight Cinema on Mar 25, 2024 at 1:49 pm

Amalgamated Theatres took an interest in 1983 then merged into South Auckland Cinemas in 1985 - a joint venture with Skyline Cinemas (KO & Amalgamated Theatres), Alan Meekings & Graeme Edwards. Leased to indie Graham Granger ( ex Mayfair Sandringham) when Village6 opened at Manukau City (5km away) in 1991.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Hutt Pop-Up by Reading Cinemas on Mar 24, 2024 at 2:00 pm

Re-opened as Reading Pop-Up Cinemas utilising only 3 screens [2019-2023]

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Hutt Pop-Up by Reading Cinemas on Mar 24, 2024 at 1:58 pm

This was Odeon Theatre expanded to 5 screens. Opened with “Last Of The Mohicans”.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about King George Theatre on Mar 24, 2024 at 1:55 pm

Replaced by Odeon Theatre built on same site sitting atop a shopping mall open 1975 with “The Slipper & The Rose”.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about King George Theatre on Mar 24, 2024 at 1:46 pm

Original KO [1946] Nibble Nook was on right hand side of theatre entrance later opened into the foyer.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about King George Theatre on Mar 24, 2024 at 1:44 pm

Ready for demolition 1974

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Astra Theatre on Jul 2, 2011 at 2:20 am

Hoyts accidently sold the property to an agent for Greater Union and they built a triple in the 80s which still stands and some screens converted to a Health Centre.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Greater Union Mosman Cinemas on Jul 2, 2011 at 2:18 am

All external signage has been removed and it lies awaiting its fate. Projectors & stage end stripped but everything else still inside.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Reading Market City on Jul 2, 2011 at 2:15 am

Now gutted and reopened as a Galaxy Games area. Overhead offices are in the old projection room.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Focal Point Cinema & Cafe on Apr 12, 2009 at 6:18 am

This has always been the State Theatre and was built for Amalgamated Theatres who always looked for vacant land behind retail so they could get cheaper rent and only pay prime rent on the shop-front access to the foyer/cinema behind. The Embassy was and is still standing 2 city blocks to the West on the other side of the rail line. There is no heritage listing on this building – all the art deco is fake. I took over the State from Hoyts in 2000 and was responsible for getting Dennis Donovan to build the 4plex. We split the original screen and lifted the roof over the shops and upstairs billiard room to create 2 new screens. It opened as a joint venture between myself, Village-Force and some local investors. We sold 50% to Movieland Group when Napier multi opened and operated the Twin cities as a JV. At a later date, Movieland acquired the remainder 50% they did not own and eventually sold the greater Movieland Group (6 locations)to Reading Cinemas who current lease this site.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Maidstone Cinema on Apr 12, 2009 at 6:06 am

Someone has their wires crossed on this one. The original Maidstone Cinema was a single screener, the first cinema every built within a shopping mall in NZ, opened early 1974 and operated by independent exhibitor Bryan Jennings. I took over the business in 1988 and sold it to my manager Lou Howell in 1994 who ran it until it closed to make way for an extension of the mall. This cinema is now demolished. The new Ascot 4 cinemas (Opened 2007) are located across the carpark from the extension to the mall and built above Hazelwoods Furnishers.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Regent Theatre on Oct 29, 2004 at 5:34 pm

This property is advertised for sale in the SMH today. Tenders close 30 November 2004. Details: .au[/email] or call Australia 0411 723 470. Obviously, LEND LEASE the company that owns the property (and adjacent mall) are worried about a possible Heritage Order. Exterior. entrance & foyers are the greatest attributes – the huge auditorium could be subdivided into multiple screens as is rather bland.

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Embassy Theatre on Oct 16, 2004 at 10:13 pm

This is the official site for the Trust that owns the building. Lots more pictures here.
http://www.theembassytheatretrust.org.nz/

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Embassy Theatre on Oct 16, 2004 at 10:07 pm

Here are some pictures & sound details.
View link

GraemeEdwards
GraemeEdwards commented about Embassy Theatre on Oct 8, 2004 at 5:43 pm

The Embassy underwent a major restoration/re-development in 2003 as a precursor for the World Premiere of Peter Jackson’s RETURN OF THE KING. The “tacky” proscenium installed in 1965 for 70mm was removed and the huge screen was moved higher and further back – this time a new proscenium was created that is in keeping with the existing style of the interior and one would never know it is not original.
The stalls, which hadn’t been used since 70mm was installed, were finally sealed off and two new cinemas were built in this disused space. Other improvements include: air-conditoning, reduced seating to accomodate wider rows & bigger more luxurious seats, foyer refurbishment, new 35mm/70mm projector & all Digital sound formats. A great cinema to see a movie – the sound and picture rock!
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