Cinema partners turn rivals

By Theresa Garner

THAMES - Disney has turned to Diehard in the cut-throat movie business in Thames.

The town of just over 6000 now has five movie screens, because the former partner in one theatre operation set up a rival complex just a block away.

Entrepreneur Jim Banner delighted the town by revamping the 86-year-old Embassy Theatre and opening it as the three-screen Banners Theatre last November. He said money was not important, and promised "Disney magic" for a downhearted Thames.

A month later he was signing up to build a two-screen complex at Goldfields Shopping Centre, called Banners Cinema. It opened last night.

His disillusioned business partner in the Embassy project, Ron Slater, is continuing to run Banners Theatre. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that when someone goes into partnership and, before the set-up is completed, starts building two other cinemas across the road, it's in blatant opposition," Mr Slater said.

The pair's bitter dispute culminated in a police call-out last week to "prevent a breach of the peace."

Mr Slater had changed the locks at the Embassy, and after a tense confrontation, he allowed Mr Banner in to strip thousands of dollars of fittings and equipment.

Mr Slater, who owns the Embassy building, has screened movies at the Embassy for 10 years and also has a cinema in Whangamata. He had been approached by Mr Banner last year and asked to partner him in creating a live performance centre and movie house on the site.

Mr Slater said the live performances had been cancelled until he could recover his equipment.

"I am very disappointed at Jim Banner, and very disappointed for the community. Two cinemas with five screens in Thames is not going to work."

Both sides have called in their lawyers to deal with the dispute.

Mr Banner said yesterday that he was too busy to answer questions, as it was opening night. He said it was a "long story, and a big disagreement."

The manager of Goldfields, Drew Fielding, said he began talks with Mr Banner last year.

"He was so enthusiastic, he jumped in on Boxing Day."

The Mayor of Thames, Chris Lux, who opened the new complex last night, said the moment was "bittersweet."

He had opened Banners Theatre four months previously.

"As someone said, it's a bit like a second marriage."