After 62 years, 10 of those at The Regent Theatre Te Awamutu, movie projectionist Des Savage is taking a backseat.
Des Savage has been the projectionist at The Regent Theatre Te Awamutu for the last decade. Photo: Supplied
Savage has been there for the change from film reels to digital movies.
Film used to arrive in bus service cars, now “it’s just like running a DVD”.
He wouldn’t have it any other way, but he does miss the old western movies.
‘A lot of people are diehards about film, I’m not. By the time you used to get a film that had been around half the theatre chain circuit, it had scratches running down it,” Savage said.
“That doesn’t happen anymore with digital. I think it’s brilliant.”
Savage spoke and answered questions at his retirement event on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Jesse Wood
He also recalls theatre managers throwing out patrons for not standing to sing God Save the Queen.
One of his most auspicious moments saw him escorted from Hamilton to Ngāruawāhia and back, to play a restored black and white movie for the Māori queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu in the 1970s.
But his favourite show of all, was the smiles he could bring to the faces of cinema patrons across New Zealand.
Savage trained at The Regent Theatre Ōpotiki under Kerridge Odeon for two years and remembers his first screening in 1962, A Pair of Briefs.
Previously he had been a tray boy there, selling ice-creams from age 16.
He moved to Hāwera and then Paeroa for 18 months, before moving “all around the show” across the country, followed by several years in Gisborne.
There, he met and married wife Karen.
Savage (front) pictured in 1969 at the Majestic Theatre in Gisborne. Photo: Supplied
The pair moved to Hamilton in 1973 and have lived there ever since.
Te Awamutu News 20 March 2025
He worked in several Hamilton movie theatres, mainly the Carlton Theatre, Village Five Cinemas and Event Cinemas Chartwell before retiring in 2014.
However, retirement only lasted a short while. Savage received a called from The Regent Theatre Te Awamutu owner Allan Webb.
The pair had known each other for about 40 years.
What was supposed to be a few months turned into a decade.
Even as Webb retired and handed the theatre over to Te Awamutu, under the Allan Webb Theatre Trust, Savage remained there for several years to ensure a smooth transition.
Savage’s retirement event was held on Saturday afternoon at The Regent Theatre.
Cinema one was near capacity, as people came to watch the 1999 October Sky film with Savage, a free screening of his choice.
Past employers and friends spoke before the movie. They educated the crowd about Savage’s career and thanked him.
“Shortly after his retirement Des got a phone call from Allan. To me that says a lot for both of them because Allan clearly identified Des as a being a very competent projectionist. Des obviously had a high regard for Allan too, in that he was prepared to come help and stay for another 10 years,” theatre trust chairman Alan Livingston said.
“Des gave a huge amount of voluntary time to the job and willingly so. He always mentioned that the greatest satisfaction he got from movies, was seeing the pleasure on the people’s faces.
“On behalf of the Allan Webb Theatre Trust and the community, a grateful thanks for your decade that you’ve spent here in Te Awamutu.”
Livingstone presented Savage with a certificate to take home and a plaque for the wall of the theatre to show their gratitude for his service to the community.
Allan Webb Theatre Trust chairman Alan Livingston presents Savage with a certificate. Photo: Jesse Wood
Webb also stood up to express his admiration for his friend.
“He was totally obliging, reliable, always turning up before his shift start time. He was completely honest and industrious – a perfect employee and also a very good friend,” Webb said.
“Des was also an excellent relations person for the front of house. He became well known and respected by our patrons. Often, they would think he was the owner which is a tribute to his dedication, work ethic and high standards.”
Regent Theatre manager Paige Larianova had many kind words and stories to share about Savage from the past few years.
Regent Theatre Te Awamutu manager Paige Larianova MC’d the retirement event in cinema one. Photo: Jesse Wood
Staff members echoed these sentiments.
“For 62 years he has been the unseen hero of countless movie nights, ensuring that every frame, every reel and every screening ran seamlessly,” Larianova said.
“While the audience enjoyed the magic on screen, Des was the one making that magic happen from behind the scenes.
‘He knows exactly when to put the intermission on for films like the Sound of Music and Ben-Hur.
“Film after film, Des has been the steady hand, the problem solver and the person who probably knows more about fixing projectors than anyone else. But beyond the technical skills, what truly stands out is Des’ passion, dedication and warmth.
“Thank you for everything. You’ve been a true star behind the scenes. We wish you nothing but happiness in this new adventure.”
Des Savage
