A projectionist friend recently visited a cinema in New Zealand with Gaumont Kalee projectors on 2000’ reel changeovers. www.paradiso.net.nz CINEMA PARADISO, WANAKA, NEW ZEALAND
By Dave Smith - Otago Daily Times -Saturday, 13-November 1999
IT WOULD be rare to find a cinema listed as a tourist attraction in an international backpackers guide, let alone find a classic Morris Minor convertible as part of the everyday furniture. But, Lonely Planet lists the Wanaka Cinema Paradiso in the "must do" category and yes, it does have an old car parked in the front row.
You will not find all the trappings of a posh, up-market big-city cinema in Wanaka. It is more like watching home movies in the comfort of your lounge. Sofas and couches are liberally sprinkled through the small, intimate theatre tucked away just off the state highway entrance into Wanaka.
While owners Calum McLeod, his wife Andrea Riley and friend Brian Hildreth did not deliberately set out four years ago to create such a popular ambience in their business, it came about more out of necessity. Mr McLeod recalled how they originally set up in the Wanaka town hall with one couch. "That is where the rugby scrums started as everyone wanted the comfortable couch." Garage sales and second-hand stores unearthed the rest of the seating and cushions which have become the trademark of the cinema. There are a couple of rows of the traditional old movie seats if nostalgia is your thing.
The trio started their business after buying a screen from Charlie Gilligan, of Dunedin, who then referred them to a retired Auckland projectionist who had a couple of projectors. "Brian drove to Auckland in his Holden and returned with the projectors in bits." Mr Gilligan, who had served a four-year apprenticeship, then helped them piece together the 1920s jig-saw and gave them a four-day introduction to running a movie theatre, Mr McLeod said. He said the town hall was ideal because it had a projection room and was basically set up for movies.
Twelve months ago they decided to set up a purpose-built cinema elsewhere. They had intended to have a Holden and a Falcon car installed on either side of the projection room and claim to be operating a cinema and drive-in. "It was just too hard to put the cars in while we were building the interior," he said with a grin. Instead, a group of friends salvaged the "Morrie" from a rural paddock and applied copious quantities of yellow paint to brighten up the car.
Mr McLeod explained the name came from an award-winning Italian movie about a small town picture theatre. "It was the social hub of the town before the advent of videos and computer games." Attending a recent early evening screening was a social occasion and not just sitting in a darkened room watching the "flicks". Wanaka teenagers swapped gossip while mums and dads sat patiently with their young ones intent on consuming fizzy drinks, ice cream and popcorn.
It was certainly different from my formative years watching black and white movies in a tin shed at the Trentham army camp. Threepence to get in and the same amount to spend on an ice cream. In those days, the ones who could afford more luxurious lollies like Jaffas and Snifters were more content to listen to their sweets roll down the wooden floor from the back to the front, amidst much mirth. It is a bit hard to get the same effect these days when the floor is carpeted. Mr McLeod did admit the kids tossed around the home-made popcorn, but it was nothing a vacuum cleaner could not fix.
He has also been likened to Basil Fawlty, of the television programme, when starting a film session. "They seem to love it when I hurl abuse at them and the kids give it back." He said it was easy to spot the tourists and city dwellers as they arrived 10 minutes before show time. "The locals walk in 10 minutes late, which is why the movies don't often start on time." But no-one seemed to care, he said, as it was better to start late and not have all the interruptions.
Intermissions were also a regular occurrence and being a "true Scotsman", he admitted it was a time when he put a little extra through the till. "It is also an important social time, when people chat and mingle rather than just sit in a dark room for a couple of hours." The business makes its own popcorn, hot cookies at half-time, coffee and ice cream.
The cinema diverted from its main income recently to stage live theatre, which Mr McLeod said was something he was looking at doing more of in the future. "The audience think it's great and the actors love the interaction."
Despite having a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and politics and being a qualified chef, Mr McLeod was content to provide entertainment to visitors and locals alike.
Home
posted 02-18-2002 10:28 PM
Printer-friendly view of this topic