Movie memorabilia brought to light
They are a piece of South Waikato history and they are to be put on display in Putaruru and Te Awamutu.
Two Philips projectors, which were installed in Putaruru’s Plaza in 1959, have been dusted off in preparation for their new role.
‘‘One of the projectors is moving to The Regent Theatre, Te Awamutu.
‘‘The other one will remain at The Plaza on display in the foyer,’’ The Plaza manager Nicola Warrington said.
Mrs Warrington stressed the importance of keeping one of the projectors in the district.
‘‘I think it is very import to keep part of the history of the original cinema here at The Plaza. It will also be wonderful for patrons of The Plaza to see the impressive machine up close rather than
Putaruru Plaza manager Nicola Warrington with one of the Plaza’s historic projectors which is relocating to Te Awamutu. staying up in the projector room gathering dust. When the Philips projectors were installed in 1959 they were they only apparatus of their kind present in New Zealand at the time,’’ she said. ‘‘The move will be in the very near future when owner of the Regent, Allan Webb and his team are able to come down to dismantle them. Putaruru Electrical’s Wayne Bullot is disconnecting the machines so that they are able to be dismantled safely.
‘‘ Local carpenter Lawrence Warrington will also donate his time to disassemble the projectors,’’ she said.
The reason for the move is to create much more space and to refurbish the projector room.
‘‘It will also be wonderful to see part of The Plaza’s history join Allan Webb’s impressive collection of movie memorabilia over at his beautiful theatre.
‘‘The South Waikato Arts Trust has begun to update filmscreening apparatus and the move of the projectors will allow more room to enable further equipment and ease of access,’’ she said.