RISE OF THE CINEMA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19882, 28 February 1928, Page 11

RISE OF THE CINEMA.

HISTORY IN NEW ZEALAND. PIONEERS OF EARLY SHOWS. .... ' • : " ' GROWTH IN THIRTY YEARS. SOME AMUSING RECOLLECTIONS. The question recently raised by a correspondent in the Herald as to the introduction of motion pictures into New Zealand has caused a great deal of interest. The subject is treated at length by "J.A.M.," in reply to an earlier letter by "W.E.C." As one associated with the cinema almost since its first introduction into New Zealand, writes "J.A.M.," may I be permitted to correct "W.E.C." in one or two particulars. The year of introduction to New Zealand was 1896, and the first machino was used in what is now a chemist's shop in Wain's Hotel Buildings in Dunedin. Messrs. Charles and James Macmahon were the pioneers, and the date was toward the end of September, 1896. In October, 1836, the Charles Godfrey company was playing at the Opera House, Auckland, and toward the end of the season (on the 13th), the "Kinematograph" was on the bill for the first time. This particular machine was an Edison, and was in the hands of Professors Hausmann and Gow, who had just arrived from America. Some 15 subjects were screened, and the new "turn" was a big success. No Censorship. The next exhibition of moving pictures in Auckland was under the direction of Mr. J. F. Macmahon, at the City Hall, the season opening on January 27, 1897. The Herald of the time, in the review of the show, said, inter alia; "Next followed the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, whose head was seen to fall at the stroke of the axe." There were no censors then, and what few Scotsmen there were in these parts were apparently too busy pioneering to worry about their feelings being hurt. Just about this time Mr. C. E. Mackie (still resident here, I believe), opened with a kinematograph and Rontgen Rays show in a shop in Queen Street, giving exhibitions four times daily. Mr. Mackie may really claim to be a pioneer, and he has been in the business almost continuously since.

In February, of 1897, Edwin Geach brought over the Carl Hertz show, which included Chirgwin. The kinematograph was a big feature with this company, and the season in the Opera House was a long and successful one. Mr. Geach was also manager of the Charles Godfrey Company, and is still a prominent figure in the moving picture world. A newspaper excerpt of the day states that there wera "so many encores that with the use of the gas the lens became .heated and cracked." Pictures Encored. It very frequently happened with the earlier shows that applause was so insistent that the operator would say, "Ladies and gentlemen, that picture will be repeated"—a procedure impossible in these days of modern and up-to-date mechanism. Some operators would frequently put a picture through backwards —a horse race for instance—and loud and long were the laughs. In March of the same year Mr. Mackie's outfit was transferred to the City Hall, where it was a feature under the management of the late P. R. Dix. 0» the various touring shows I have many recollections, some pleasant, some * otherwise. Regarding the films of Queen Victoria's funeral, as the good lady did not p&ss away till some time later it was obviously impossible for the picture® .to be shown by Drayton in 1899. Reference to this brings to mind a gay adventurer who made quite a lot of money just after King Edward died. First in- the field, he advertised films of the King's funeral, and did well until some sharpeyed youth discovered that a well-known figure in the procession was King Edward himself—attending the funeral of his mother. Mr. Charles Cooper and the late Mr. W. J. Macdermott were early proprietors of travelling outfits; also Fred Foley. Both gentlemen are still residents of Auckland. Development o! Industry. It was not until the advent, about 1905, of the late Mr. T. J. West ami MrHenry Hay ward that "pictures" rightly assumed their proper place as the people's entertainment. There was quite a boom for a year or two, then a slump, but about 1912 picture palaces began to spring up all over the Dominion, most of them sponsored either by Mr. Hayward or tho Fullers. The amalgamation of these firms in 1913 did much to place moving pictures on the high pedestal they occupy to-day, and it is to the firms mentioned that great credit is due. The history of the pictures is one long romance. Space will not permit the narration of one quarter of tho ups and downs of the pioneers. They did w#ll under exceedingly difficult conditions. There were no elaborate fool-proof mechanisms, no ornate theatres, and no super productions to assist in drawing big crowds. Yet, in spite of all they provided what were then considered good entertainments. Most of tho films were English, and of the classification now known as topical or scenic. i3tories were unknown, and there were no actors.