Odeon Star

Semaphore is a north-western seaside suburb of the city of Adelaide. This cinema originally opened on 22nd May 1920 as the Wondergraph Picture Palace with a seating capacity of 1,246 in orchestra and balcony levels. The opening programme was “Don’t Change Your Husband” and “Behind the Door” plus a Mack Sennett comedy. In September 1921, it was taken over by Clifford Theatre circuit, and it was re-named Star Theatre in 1930.

In 1952, the Clifford Theatres/Star Theatres chain was taken over by the Greater Union Cinemas chain and it was re-named Odeon Cinema from 12th June 1952, re-opening with a gala premiere of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Under Capricorn”. After the introduction of television in May 1959, the Odeon went over to restricted opening hours, which lasted until Greater Union closed the Odeon on 13th November 1976 with “Babe”. The building was sold and was converted into a furniture store, which operated for the following 14 years.

Taken over by independent operator Bob Wilson, it was refurbished and re-opened as the Odeon Star Theatre on 19th December 1991 with “Hot Shots”, initally using just the circle seating area which seated 320. The stalls area continued use as Hoff’s Secondhand Emporium until 1997.

The entire building became a cinema again by sub-dividing the auditorium into three screens seating 300 in the former circle and two screens in the former stalls area seating 150 and 140. Film booking is done by the Wallis Theatres chain. - Cinema Treasures