Those new-fangled movies cut little ice in Chch

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 13

Those new-fangled movies cut little ice in Chch

Bv

STAN DARLING

Amazing. Colossal. Sights you have never seen, here or anywhere else. This is normally a slow time for movie theatres, as they wait for Christmas crowds and wonder about the drawing power of films that come in the meantime. With the likes of “Superman,” “Jaws 2,” “Revenge of the Pink Panther,” "Force 10 from Navarone,” and “Pete’s Dragon” scheduled for Christchurch this season, the usual rush is expected. It has been 82 years since New Zealand’s first film season, a short-run display of the new magic in High Street. But in those days, the upstart novely had a lot of highpowered competition. During Canterbury A. and P. Show week, the entertainment industry was cranked up to make certain people had more than one place to go. In November, 1895, a year before film made its first appearance, the public did not lack for amusements. At the Theatre Royal, Bland Holt’s “A Life of Pleasure” was billed as an enormous, spectacular, dramatic masterpiece. It was “acknowledged on all sides to be the greatest production of its kind,” according to the advertising. Let “Superman” top that, if it can. Holt’s production featured The Irish Eviction! The Houseboat! Pleasure on the Thames! The Great Battle Scene, with its constant succession of exciting incidents. All that, plus a Startling Feat of Horsemanship, The Leap for Life! Before you could catch your . breath. Woodloch’s Great American Circus

featured “The Most Finished Galaxy of Circus Talent Extant.” Over at the Oddfellows Hall, there were Oriental Nights entertainments. The Rev. Haskett Smith was giving a famous illuminated lecture, with 60 magnificent views. And hold on to your hats, the Grand Fireworks Fete and Shadow Pantomime was on at the same time. “The Mysterious Dynamite Act promises to create a profound sensation,” said the hoopla, “while the Eating of the Great Pie, the Combat of the Giant and the Dwarf and Lightning Amputation will produce sidesplitting complications.”

There would also be 2000 Bang Crackers, finishing with the Bombardment and Capture of Port Arthur by Japanese Fireships. As for a coming attraction, how could you beat Mark Twain? The American humourist was due in town the next week. ■So the entry of films a year later, especially in their primitive form, came more with a whisper than a bang. The temporary Cinematographe Salon in High Street displayed “the electronic marvel of the century.” There were 12 lifesize subjects for a shilling, including Broadway, Blacksmith’s Forge, Humorous Bathing Scene, Trilby Burlesque. Women Fencers, Cock Fights, Chinese Laundry (humorous), Japanese Fan Dance and Military March. Not much plot, but plenty of action.

There would be another drop in the price of candles, another part of “The Press” reported, and smoking New Venus tobacco was all the rage.

The new salon was up against stiff competition in the time-tested A. and P. Show, where “the attendance on the grand stand yesterday was larger than ever, and a number of ladies being unable to find seats betook themselves to the lawn. The dresses were of a light and summery order, and vied with the day in splendour and brilliancy.” Following that was a long list of ladies’ names, and detailed descriptions of their outfits. Alongside

such attentions, the cinematogarph did not stand much of a chance. It got one paragraph mention in the news columns:

“This most interesting development of the nineteenth century drew large audiences. Nothing so lifelike as the representation given by this has been seen here before, and no doubt during this week a large number will take advantage of the opportunity to see it.”

Later in the week, now billing itself as “a veritable sensation. Extraordinary Living Photographs,” the salon changed its programme. The second series included Burlesque Scotchmen, Lady Rifle Shot, Italian Duel, Execution of MarV Queen of Scots. Boxing Cats, Train Entering Waterloo Station, and The Gaiety Girls. Again, long on variety.

It was not until 1908 that the first real movie theatre opened. The Colosseum did it with a flourish, announcing “Beautiful Films, Interesting Subjects. The titles give but faint indication of their merit. This programme three nights only,” The programme was this — Nellie, the Pretty Typist (Splendid Dramatic Subject), The Lazy Man (A Positive Screamer), The Little Cripple (A Beautiful Pathetic Subject), Cupid’s Pranks (Allegory and Realism), Shanghai (A Magnificent Photo Study), The Sculptor’s Dream (A Comical Fantasy), Playmates (Child and Dog Study), Orderly Jamson (A comedy), and more.

There was also something akin to moving pictures being shown in the district. Foley’s Flickerless

Pictures were having a tour of Duvauchelles. Akaroa, Little River, and Sheffield. Even the first theatre did not cause much of a stir. “The trick films were especially popular.” said a newspaper review, “and bore witness to the pitch

of perfection to which the moving picture has been brought.” Trick films are still popular, but it will be hard to surpass local popularity of the musical “Grease.” It is going so strong that it may still be around bv Christmas.