First Cinema Visit In 36 Years

Chronicle (Levin), 7 July 1948, Page 5

First Cinema Visit In 36 Years

Press Association '/

(Per

PALMERSTON North, July 7. An aged eouple walked slowly up the stairs to the circle of the Regent Theatre last night. As they quietly made their way to their seats, to the^ rest of the audience they appeared to be just another conple out for an evening's entertainment. Perhaps some mild significance was attached to the fact that they were escorted to theit seats by the nianager l)ut no apparent interest was taken in their arrival Why should there be? But for Mr". ' Herbert Beck'ett, of Poukawa (near Hastings), he was experiencing one of the thrills of his 70 odd winters: Mr. Beekett holds a reeord of cinema-abstinence which surely must be unique in the Dominion. Last night he paid his first visit to a movie since 1912. Mrs. Beekett, Who aceompanied him, admitted that she is more of a pieture fan than her husband, having visited the cinema in more recent years. "Talkies" were'no tiovelty to her. In a country Which hqs ao legitimate stage or revpe companies , and Where tHe main source bf ati evening's entertainment is the cinema, ' the oeeasion was rare in the t'l'ue, sense of the wbrd. Some- explanation for snch abstinence Was needed. f Mr. Beekett visited his. first and anly film (prior to last night) way back in 1912. It was a comedy, "The Draper," and featured Charlie Chaplin. This film must have lef't a deep impression on Mr. Beekett for last night he cont'essed that he was very partial to comedies. The film last night, however, must Burely have left as great an impression on him for he said afterwards that he eouid have sat through couple of hours ' taoi'e. He was mostly ilflpl'fessed With a supporting f'eature in colour. This topped even the "talkies'' for him. Mr. Beekett is now a confirmed movie fan and the movies are likely to see a_ lot more of hira. He may even visit them once every ten years.