Theatre's golden age of film recalled by Mayor

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says the acoustics make the St James perfect for music. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Bob Harvey is no longer racing around the St James changing bulbs, or sweating it out in the projection room - but he still feels the old theatre's magic.

Now Waitakere Mayor, Mr Harvey was 17 when he began handling film reels and doing odd jobs around the theatre. He was 70 when he toured it last month as part of Auckland City Council's The Edge board.

Gone were the huge generators which kept the carbon arcs shining, as well as the rows of dimmers that changed the many-coloured lights before performances.

The projection box was empty. And yet it was still magnificent.

"It was like a beautiful woman who has aged; so elegant. I felt an overwhelming desire to bring this theatre back to life."

Mr Harvey said his years working under projectionists and film "legends" Jack Cook and Bill Barnes taught him about accountability and responsibility.

"Those St James years were enormously important to me. They taught me discipline, to be on time and to learn from others."

He went on to become relieving projectionist at the preview theatre, viewing Brigitte Bardot in And God Created Woman , James Dean in Giant and the epic War and Peace.

"The projection room was a sweat box, but you got to see movies three months before they happened. I got to know the theatre intimately."

He still remembers the huge film vault which held 500 reels, and boxes of props from the New Zealand-made film The Seekers stacked in the tower block above Queen St - including hundreds of rubber mere and taiaha (Maori weapons).

Mr Harvey is backing a Herald campaign to save the St James, which has been closed since 2007.

It could be restored as the main ballet, theatre and opera venue if The Edge wins a bid to become a national convention centre. Auckland City Mayor John Banks and Manukau Mayor Len Brown have both said they support saving the theatre.

Mr Banks has previously said he expects renovation to cost more than $50 million.

Auckland City Council candidates, MPs and many actors - including Sam Neill, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench - have spoken in support of saving the heritage building.

This did not surprise Mr Harvey, who developed a lifelong fascination with movies from working there.

He remembers the theatre during the golden age of movies, when 10 rows of coloured lights changed before each performance. He replaced every coloured bulb, climbing long ladders above the proscenium arch and hanging chandeliers to do so.

Mr Harvey said the theatre had a magnificent entertainment future in Auckland. It was a homage to presentation and performance, and the perfect location for opera and music because of its acoustics.