A local seat of cinema fit for 'the gods'

LONG GONE: Wanganui's old Majestic Theatre (left) shows a popular thriller from the mid 1940s, and now (above) the former Majestic Theatre site is Majestic Square, an outdoor recreation and entertainment space.100515WCSPPIC1

SURELY everyone has, at some point, savoured the magic of the movies ... the thrill of anticipation as the lights go down and the feature is about to start.

Those with long enough memories will recall the cartoons - Mickey Mouse, Daffy Duck and Co - and the serials which would be continued the following Saturday. They may also recall when movies were in their prime and Wanganui had a substantial number of "picture theatres" showing the latest releases.

The city centre theatres were well served by the tram network delivering patrons to the movies up until its closure in 1950, but there were also picture theatres in Gonville and Aramoho.

In the very early days, many films were produced in backyard garages with scenes of local people - having a picnic in the park, visiting Castlecliff Beach or a day at the racecourse. These were usually shown within a week or two of the event and Wanganui folk would go to see themselves on the silver screen.

Today, everyone knows Majestic Square, but not everyone will know it is named after the Majestic Picture Theatre, which once stood on the corner of Victoria Ave and Maria Place. Prior to being a picture theatre, The Majestic was His Majesty's Theatre, serving up live drama.

The theatre was part of the Fuller's Pictures chain and a sign outside said "Fuller's Pictures Tonight at 8pm", though not necessarily listing what was to be shown.

A large brick building, it was one of the few theatres in New Zealand containing "the gods" - a seating area high above the circles and stalls below.

The Majestic also produced its own Majestic Magazine, promoting coming attractions.

When the cinema closed and the building was demolished, a number of its bricks were used at the Bason Botanic Gardens and it is also thought that some were used for the Tram Shed in Taupo Quay.