KAIAPOI MOVIE THEATRE & CITY CINEMAS, NEW ZEALAND
Presenting a nostalgic behind-the-scenes doco of the Kaiapoi Movie Theatre followed by 'Welcome To City Cinemas' - footage of Christchurch's Savoy 1 & 2, Westend, Regent 1 & 2, MidCity (Westpac Lane) and The Metro in 1989-1991, including many brief clips of movies released during that period. As of 2017, none of the buildings shown are still standing. Did you work at any of these theatres? ...you might see yourself here!
Production: CTV NEWS; Gavin Miller.
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THE RIALTO MOVIE THEATRE
KAIAPOI
NORTH CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND
This handsome, purpose-built art deco cinema at 45 Charles Street, Kaiapoi opened on 17 December 1935. Colin Lamb, the architect, had only recently returned to New Zealand from studying in England and America. The cinema was constructed by W. Williamson and carpeted by Ballantynes, Christchurch.
The first movie played was 'The Little Colonel' (1935) which starred Shirley Temple and featured the famous step dance with Bill Robinson. The official opening souvenir programme described the cinema's design as follows:
'The colour scheme and streamlining effects are the dominating features in this era of modern theatre construction. This is markedly prominent in the Rialto and deserving of comment.
The entire exterior walls are of deep cream, while the flood-lit frontage is varied by bands of brick red. Once inside the foyer and lounge, the last word in luxury, attention is immediately captivated by the sweet shop and ticket box, chromium handrailed and fitted with firelighting. Silver bands run horizontally around the buff walls of the main auditorium. Here wise forethought has produced a discreet yet novel form of streamlining. Special lighting effects flood the ceiling with various colours extending to the heavy curtain, crossed by bands of silver, green and black. Extra seating accommodation has been provided in the circle. Firelight fittings emphasize themselves here as elsewhere, their fantastic glow lending charm and beauty to the surroundings.'.
The opening night's programme also advertised the coming attractions of Kid Millions starring Eddie Cantor; Our Little Girl starring Shirley Temple; The Scarlet Pimpernel starring Leslie Howard; Ruggles of Red Gap starring Charles Laughton; Ginger starring June Withers; also The Man Who Knew Too Much and Ladies Love Danger!
The theatre's owner, Mr H. Owen Hills, was the Mayor of Kaiapoi. In later years, the venue was converted to the Kaiapoi Community Centre and also screened movies. Those screenings ended in 1985.
On 14 May 1989, after a major refit by Nick Paris, Richard Porter and John Leonard in which the projectors, lenses, screen, sound system and circle seating had all been replaced, the cinema re-opened for business with Scrooged (1988) starring Bill Murray. There was now a 28 foot (8.6 metres) CinemaScope screen but the original green curtains from 1935 were still there.
From 21 April 1991 the cinema was operated by Richard & Marion Porter, with the assistance of Scott Linton.
Later in 1991, the Rialto was, incredibly, only the second cinema in the Christchurch area to convert to Dolby stereo. This installation uncovered a copy of the original opening night's programme plus a poster of Abbott and Costello Go To Mars (1953) in the attic. The musical The Commitments (1991) ran at the Rialto for many weeks, played loud!
To add to the in-house excitement, there was virtually a 'fireman's pole' between the projection booth and the candy counter.
The final feature screened at the Rialto on 3 April 1992. The cinema was closed and the projection equipment (Gaumont Kalee) was sold back to Nick Paris who installed it in the (Isaac) Theatre Royal, Gloucester Street, Christchurch and screened art-house double features there on Sunday nights to a mainly student audience.
The Rialto, Kaiapoi then became owned by a church. The original name could still be seen running vertically in deeply embossed concrete letters down the left side of the building.
The fate of the theatre was sealed in a devastating fashion on 4 September 2010 when a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit North Canterbury at 4.36am. Kaiapoi was one of the worst affected areas and, although the building's concrete construction complied with new legislation following on from the 1931 Napier earthquake, land subsidence under The Rialto together with several further major earthquakes meant, sadly, the theatre was demolished in late 2011 and its 76-year era was over.
The site is now occupied by a brand new church – the Riverside Christian Fellowship.
Have you any memories of this theatre?... please leave them in the Comments Section for others to enjoy!
Richard Porter
2016