Unlike most of MAVtech's cinema advertising slides this one kindly has a date on it! It was issued or screened on the 1st of December 1968. This striking looking slide would have looked fantastic on the big screen where it would have been shown for a few seconds during the end of intermission. 

The 'Te Kowhai Reception Lounge' is no longer with us- a Kete post from 2011 shows bare land where the building used to be. As of March 2023 some third party business directories still show it with one mentioning it was 'set in spacious grounds with glorious native bush' with a capacity to seat 120.

In the 1950s cinema advertising was extremely popular for small New Zealand businesses. The average New Zealander made seventeen trips to the cinema by the end of the decade. Forty million cinema tickets were sold in 1960 alone! 

Cinema slides were inexpensive to make so local businesses could afford to advertise in a handful of local cinemas. This ad would probably cause a stir if screened today- corporal punishment was outlawed in schools in 1990!

In 1950 Johnson's Bakery was on Main Street, between the intersections of Whyte Street and Clyde Street. More information can be found on the following Kete page

https://horowhenua.kete.net.nz/item/3f2158a5-57a3-4441-8486-116931202d7c

Cinema advertising slides flashed up on the screen for only a few seconds before the projector heat forced them to be changed. Many local businesses took out advertising with the cinemas and MAVtech has a large collection of local slides. Some, like this one, seem a bit unsettling today! 

Most of the Foxton businesses who took out these ads were just down the road from the town's cinemas- so ads like this one would have encouraged people to do some shopping on the way home or (for later screenings) next time they were in town.

This Kete link shows the Co-Op Butchery in Main Street in 1950, across from the Clyde Street intersection. An early 'Co-Operative Butchery' was in existence as early as 1889 on Main Street, managed by John W Walsh (who later became a butchery owner)

https://horowhenua.kete.net.nz/item/3f2158a5-57a3-4441-8486-116931202d7c 

One of a series of slides which were shown during intermission in Horowhenua cinemas. As they were very cheap to produce, local companies could easily advertise with their closest cinema on a budget.

This local ice cream company would have had some competition in the concession stands. The Kerridge-Odeon cinema chain made it's own New Zealand ice cream just for it's theatres! 

A.J. Davison tucks into his lunch at the Regent Court watched by amused Mum Shelly.

Chinese restaurant and takeaways, situated in Weraroa Shopping Complex.

On the eastern side of Oxford Street, 1/2 down between the lights.

Levin Returned Servicemans club. Restaurant.

Situated between the lights, on the western side, near the Mall entrance. Dine in or takeaway. Fully licensed.

Situated between the lights, on the western side, near the Mall entrance. Dine in or takeaway. Fully licensed.

A bakery at the southern end of Oxford Street, opposite the Adventure Playground

There is no reason to stay hungry for long in Oxford Street, Levin, with over 20 cafes, eateries, restaurants and takeaway shops in Oxford Street!

Fabulous fish and chips. Situated at the south end of Oxford Street, in the Weraroa Shipping Complex.

Situated in the Levin Railway Station at the southern entrance to Levin, on State Highway 1..

Chinese food and great hamburghers.

Situated at the Oxford Street entrance to Levin Mall.

Chester Noodles arde situated between the lights, at the northern end near the corner of Queen and Oxford Streets.

Situated in Benton's Motel, corner of York and Oxford Streets, Levin.

Eastern side of the road, between the lights.

Eastern side of the road, north of the lights.

Glorious Indian cuisine in comfortable surroundings, or takeaways. Fully licensed.

Eastern side of the road, between the lights. Nice outdoor eating area, cozy inside or takeaway / bakery.

Situated at the northern end of Oxford Street, between Essex and York Streets.

Chinese takeaway, north of the lights, on the eastern side opposite Bristol Street.

Situated in the north end of Levin Mall.

Situated at the northern end of Oxford Street, between Queen and Bristol Streets.