Monday, 10 November 2008

Michael Fowler on Moving pictures in the Hastings Municipal Theatre.


Michael Fowler is a chartered accountant who lectures in business at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Taradale. His first book was was "From Inkwell's to E-mail: The story of Accounting in Hawke's Bay", which was released in 2005, the second was "From Disaster to Recovery: The Hastings CBD 1931-35". He has written numerous articles on accounting and in recent years his research activity has focused on business history.

His current book, co-authored with David Turnbull, is called The Reel Story: A history of Napier and Hastings Cinemas 1896-1996 was launched on 28 October at Century Theatre in Napier. Material covered in the book include the history of all the cinemas based in Napier and Hastings from 1896-1996; disasters that have affected the cinemas, such as fire; earthquake and disease; some of the more colourful personalities who worked in the industry; Natalie of Napier; and a Daughter of Hastings - which were two local Hollywood style movies produced in Napier and Hastings in the 1920s.
The book launch was step-back-in-time movie night to celebrate the release of a book about 100 years of cinema in Napier and Hastings drew people from as far away as the United States and Australia. The event was staged at Napier's Century Theatre on Tuesday and attracted about 250 people. Co-authors of The Reel Story, Michael Fowler and Dave Turnbull, were delighted with the turnout. Mr Turnbull said relatives and family of people who featured in the book, particularly in the colourful 1920s and 1930s era, travelled to the Bay for the launch.
A 40-minute program of nostalgia, from Woody Woodpecker to Laurel and Hardy, delighted the audience - who were issued with Jaffas and ice cream.