Cinemas regain popularity

Press, 6 May 1978, Page 22

Cinemas regain popularity

The box-office success of “Star Wars” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” should almost certainly ensure the continuing revival of the cinema in New Zealand. Christchurch cinema managers say that this year has seen the best attendances since television was introduced in 1961. They believe that recent big successes should accelerate the trend towards a recovery that has been evident since 1970. Cinema admissions rose bv 3.2 M between 1973 and 1975. According to the latest available survey, in 1975 admissions per head of population were higher than they had been for many years, although still four times fewer than those during the boom war-time years of the 19405. The increase was good news, however, after the rapid decline during the 1960 s when more than 300 of the 544 cinemas in New Zealand closed. Between 1970 and 1975, only seven cinemas closed. New Zealand cinema never suffered the great decline that occurred in Britain,

i where the yearly attendances fell from 24M in 1953 to 2M in 1976. However, a slight recovery began in Britain for the first time last year. This year thousands are flocking back to the big screen to see “Star Wars,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and “Saturday Night Fever.” I In one week. “Star Wars” grossed $160,000 at a London cinema. Christchurch cinema managers, though reluctant to reveal gross takings, believe that television is no longer a threat to the power of the big screen, at least when well produced escapist films are 1 showing. Christchurch admissions to “Star Wars,” have now passed 400,000. The film has been running six months, making it the longest-running film in Christchurch since “The Sound of Music,” which ran for 16 months. “Close Encounters” is expected to run from three to nine months in Auckland and there is no sign of loss of| popularity in Christchurch, >

where it has now been show-1 ing for six weeks. Mr N. P. Strack, manager; of Carlton Cinema, says there : is a definite revival in the; cinema industry. Mr Strack believes the re-1 ; bom interest in films arises' ' from young people who do : not want to stay home watching television. The average age of theatre- ' goers was between 25 and 30, ■ the age-group that wanted to go out in the evenings,” Mr ■ Strack said. Although it was impossible : to explain the “foibles of a • fickle public,” Mr Strack said i cinema-goers wanted to see escapist, wholesome films. i “It must be something that captures the imagination.” he i said. Mr Trevor King, manager ; of the Avon Theatre, reported , also that business was “boom- ; ing.” The last year had been : the best since television i started in New Zealand, he said. The general manager of| i Kerridge-Odeon (Mr L. K.j I Vella) said the number of! : | major films had been an un-| /usual factor this year. I

I Usually, the motion-picture; {industry produced one major I film a year such as “Jaws” or |“A Star is Born.” he said. j j However, three or four! {films were now appearing [ I simultaneously. i “Producers are getting bet-; ter all the time. We hope! they will carry on. because! blockbusters give the whole industry a lift world-wide,” Mr Vella said. I