22/07/2026
As you will all have realised, I have been very slack the past few weeks with my little weekly stories, so I thought I'd surprise you all today.
Raise your hand if you like going to the movies. Now raise your other hand if you have ever been to the best picture theatre, namely the New Tivoli Picture Theatre in Clifton. Raise your leg if you still go to the New Tivoli to watch the great films that Ruth puts on each week. Well done to everybody standing on one leg with both hands in the air though you better lower them all again before you have an accident.
I love this theatre, I used to go regularly as a kid though these days I don't get a chance much as the films are usually held on days, I'm committed elsewhere. The last one I saw was Mary Poppins in the last 12 months I think and I loved seeing it for the first time. I see some advertised and would love to see, recently Ma & Pa Kettle and a Doris Day one. Anyhow that's enough about me and now for a little history of the NTPT.
The theatre was built in 1911 as a community hall, known as Rickerts Hall. It was venue for many social gatherings including skating. In August 1921 the hall was taken over by the Clifton Picture Company and started its life as the Tivoli Pictures with the screening of "Red Head".
In 1936 the theatre had a few changes - the Hungerford family became the new owners, sloped the main floor, canvas seats were installed (still there today) and the name was changed to the New Tivoli Picture Theatre. In the early days the Hungerford family lived in the back of the building, behind the screen. During the later part of World War 2 a few local lasses were Usherettes - Noral and Margaret Logan, and sisters Maria and Helen Bowe.
With the advent of television, habits changed and by 1980 the Hungerfords decided to take a break, so the theatre closed till 2005 when Ruth started projecting movies from a DVD player onto the large screen. Since then, Ruth and her helpers have continued to screen movies to various groups, and they are still going strong. After the movie Ruth usually provides some refreshments so people can mingle and talk about what they have just seen.
If you haven't been to one of the New Tivoli Theatre's screenings, I strongly recommend you go and experience the atmosphere with the old movie posters on the walls, the canvas seats, just to name a couple of things.
The Clifton Museum has a couple of old movie projectors, some old silent era movies as well as information on various movies that were made in Clifton over the years. We are open from 10am to 2pm from Friday to Monday though I recommend you come earlier in the day rather than later as you can spend hours checking everything out. Admission is $5 per adult, children are free but must be accompanied by an adult. If you are doing family research, we have a pretty good research section, just ask for Joy or Lynda and they'll be able to help you. Peter
