Copyright 2023 -
The Star Theatre, 7-
Built by the Star Theatres chain in just 16 weeks, it opened in September 1937. The opening ceremony was performed by Attorney General Mr. E. J. Ogilvie, who said it was a tribute to Devonport that it was big enough to warrant two picture theatres.
Star Theatres claimed the new Devonport venue provided the NW coast of Tasmania with a theatre equal to the mainland's best, with the seating “scientifically arranged” so that every seat provided a perfect view of the screen. An RCA high fidelity sound system was installed in September 1937. The opening program was A Star Is Born followed by Please Teacher.
The theatre was closed by Star Theatre in 1975, but it continued to be operated as Cinema One by Village, who converted it to a single level, stadium style seating cinema with 498 seats. Village did not consider it viable to alter the building or conver it into a multiplex, so it was closed when the "CMax" Cinemas opened nearby in 1999.
The building has been used by various retailers over time, in September 2017 it was being used as a Salvo's Op. shop downstairs and a ballet studio upstairs. There were no signs of the original theatre's interior.
SIGNIFICANT TASMANIAN CINEMAS & THEATRES
THE STAR THEATRE -
