{{Short description|Cinema in Adelaide, South Australia}} {{use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{use Australian English|date=December 2022}} The '''Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas''', usually referred to as the '''Odeon Star''', is an independent multiplex cinema in the beachside Adelaide suburb of Semaphore, South Australia. It is the oldest purpose-built cinema in Adelaide, opened on 22 May 1920 as the '''Wondergraph Picture Palace'''.
==History== ===Picturedrome=== In September 1910, before there were any indoor picture theatres in Semaphore, the Continental Wondergraph Company bought land on the esplanade, intending to establish a tea garden and open-air cinema.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59126490 |title=Semaphore prospects. |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXV |issue=19,914 |location=South Australia |date=8 September 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> On Monday 26 December, Wondergraph gave the inaugural screening at its "Picturedrome",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58166087 |title=Wondergraph at Semaphore. |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXV |issue=20,007 |location=South Australia |date=26 December 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> although the construction of the kiosk and tea garden had been delayed. The seating faced the sea,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103917434 |title=Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=1 |issue=253 |location=South Australia |date=26 December 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and several silent films were projected onto a solid concrete "silver wall", a new technology claimed to have been brought to Australia by the European company.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103917568 |title=Wondergraph at the Semaphore. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=1 |issue=254 |location=South Australia |date=28 December 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In winter, the Greater Wondergraph Company (formed in Adelaide in 1911<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5297552 |title=General news. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIV |issue=16,461 |location=South Australia |date=20 July 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105324689 |title=Entertainment enterprise. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=2 |issue=431 |location=South Australia |date=22 July 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>) showed films at the Semaphore Town Hall, which was referred to as the Semaphore Wondergraph.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124831614 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3|issue=739 |location=South Australia |date=19 July 1912 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124821818 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3 |issue=770 |location=South Australia |date=28 August 1912 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In July 1912, a film of the British Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Scott was shown at the Semaphore Wondergraph.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124833887 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3 |issue=750 |location=South Australia |date=31 July 1912 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Competitor Ozone Theatres also used the town hall for showing films in the winter months.<ref name=az>{{cite web | title=Hugh Waterman and sons extend the Ozone cinema chain from Adelaide's Semaphore in 1911 to eastern states| website=AdelaideAZ | url=https://adelaideaz.com/articles/hugh-water-and-his-sons-extend-the-ozone-cinema-chain-from-adelaide-s-semaphore-in-1911-to-the-eastern-states | access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref>
A scheme to enclose the Picturedrome was advertised in November 1914,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5428782 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LVII |issue=17,501 |location=South Australia |date=17 November 1914 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> but this was apparently not concluded. Films were last advertised as being shown there at the end of summer in March 1915.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60749055 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXX |issue=21,319 |location=South Australia |date=10 March 1915 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In December 1917, an advertisement refers to the "Semaphore Wondergraph Residential Cafe", right opposite the beach, for short stays.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5583556 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LX |issue=18,472 |location=South Australia |date=27 December 1917 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>
The Picturedrome, which seated 1,000 patrons, was adjacent to the Customs Boarding Station, which still stands today, on the corner of the Esplanade and Semaphore Road.<ref name=mosaic>{{cite web | title=Wondergraph Theatre |author= Port Adelaide Historical Society | website=Mosaic Online | date=16 May 2021 | url=https://mosaiconline.com.au/portadelaidehistoricalsocietyincorporated~subjects~s90/item;jsessionid=86783A7CBCB781AEB2C59D832EB97CE9?0 | access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref>
===New indoor cinema=== In 1920, Wondergraph had a "palatial" new indoor cinema built on Semaphore Road,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213609490 |title=Palatial picture theatre. |newspaper=Port Adelaide News |volume=7 |issue=40 |location=South Australia |date=21 May 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> to cater for the people of the Lefevre Peninsula in winter. The magnificently fitted out building was designed by prominent South Australian architect Eric Habershon McMichael<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.facebook.com/PAHIST1/photos/this-week-marks-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-opening-of-the-semaphore-wondergrap/1593519844139347| via=Facebook| publisher= Port Adelaide Historical Society Inc.| date= 24 May 2020| title=This week marks the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Semaphore Wondergraph Theatre, now the Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema.}}</ref><ref name="Eric Habershon McMichael"/>{{efn|McMichael also designed the Wakefield Street Private Hospital, among other notable buildings.<ref name="Eric Habershon McMichael">{{cite web | title= Eric Habershon McMichael| website=Architects of South Australia| publisher=University of South Australia | url=https://architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au/arch_full.asp?Arch_ID=47 | access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref>}} and built by Messrs. Emmett Brothers. By this time the trams were running to Port Adelaide. The theatre opened on Saturday 22 May 1920 with the screening of the 1920 American silent comedy film ''What's Your Husband Doing?''.<ref name=wpp>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106770026 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph: palatial new theatre opened|newspaper=Daily Herald |volume=XI |issue=3175 |location=South Australia |date=24 May 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It had a seating capacity of 1,246 in orchestra and balcony levels, described at the time as "palatial".<ref name=wpp/>
In September 1920 Dan Clifford bought Wondergraph's suburban circuit, including the Wondergraph Semaphore, which cost him £15,000.<ref name=hsapt>{{cite web | title=Semaphore Wondergraph | website=History of South Australian Picture Theatres | date=9 November 2019 | url=https://historysouthaustralianpicturetheatres.wordpress.com/2019/11/10/semaphore-wondergraph/ | access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213611062 |title=Theatrical enterprise. |newspaper=Port Adelaide News |volume=7 |issue=58 |location=South Australia |date=24 September 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213611049 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph changes hand. |newspaper=Port Adelaide News |volume=7 |issue=58 |location=South Australia |date=24 September 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 1921 the freehold was transferred to Clifford, and then in November 1923 to his company, D. Clifford Theatres Ltd.<ref name=caarp>{{cite web | title=Wondergraph / Star / Odeon, Semaphore | website=CAARP: Cinema and Audience Research Project | url=https://caarp.edu.au/venue/view/29 | access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref> A vaudeville troupe known as The Dandies performed at the Wondergraph before its name change.<ref name=mosaic/>
It was renamed Star Theatre in 1930 (like most other cinemas in the Clifford Theatre Circuit),<ref name=treasuresodeon/> and in January 1931, sound equipment was installed to cater for talkies, in order to compete with the Semaphore Ozone Theatre.<ref name=fb>{{cite web| url=https://www.facebook.com/PAHIST1/photos/this-week-marks-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-opening-of-the-semaphore-wondergrap/1593519844139347| via=Facebook| publisher= Port Adelaide Historical Society Inc.| date= 24 May 2020| title=This week marks the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Semaphore Wondergraph Theatre, now the Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema.}}</ref> ''No, No Nanette'' was screened as the inaugural talkie at the cinema.<ref name=caarp/>
After a takeover by Greater Union Cinemas in 1946<ref name=fb/> it was extensively refurbished<ref name=caarp/> or rebuilt,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47434741 |title=New Theatre |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=94 |issue=29,225 |location=South Australia |date=12 June 1952 |access-date=22 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and was reopened as the Odeon Star on 12 June 1952.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47410270 |title=Big crowd at new theatre opening |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=94 |issue=29,226 |location=South Australia |date=13 June 1952 |access-date=22 December 2022 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130279758 |title=The odd spot |newspaper=News (Adelaide) |volume=58 |issue=8,997 |location=South Australia |date=10 June 1952 |access-date=22 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It was still owned by Clifford Theatres at this point.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251572013 |title=Sema4's New Odeon Star Highly Praised |newspaper=Messenger (Port Adelaide) |volume= |issue=66 |location=South Australia |date=12 June 1952 |access-date=22 December 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
With the beginning of the TV era in 1959, attendances declined, and the cinema eventually closed on 13 November 1976,<ref name=caarp/> and the building converted into a furniture shop.<ref name=treasuresodeon/><ref name=fb/>
After a few changes of hands and function, it was renovated and restored to its original purpose, and has continued to operate as the Odeon Star since December 1991. It was reopened as the Odeon Star on 19 December 1991, initially with only circle seating, accommodating 320 patrons, while the stalls area continued as "Hoff's Secondhand Emporium" until 1997. It was once again refurbished in 1997, becoming a three-screen cinema and (seating 300, 150 and 140). It was part of the Wallis Cinemas chain for some time,<ref name=treasuresodeon>{{cite web | title=Odeon Star Semaphore in Adelaide, AU | website=Cinema Treasures |first= Ken|last= Roe| url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/21753 | access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema originally Wondergraph Picture Theatre built 1920, South Australia | website=Flickr | date=29 July 2020 | url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129023979@N05/49990737773/|author=Contemplari | access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref> but by 2009 was being run by independent operators, then Terry, Jacky and Joe Proud.<ref>{{cite web | title= Contact us| website= Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas | date= 2009 | url=http://odeonstar.com.au/contact-us/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025072229/http://odeonstar.com.au/contact-us/ | archive-date=25 October 2009 | url-status=live | access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref> The Prouds put it up for sale in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web | last=Kellner | first=Lydia | title=Want to carry on the tradition at the Odeon Star Cinema? | website=realcommercial.com.au | date=6 November 2018 | url=https://www.realestate.com.au/news/consider-yourself-a-movie-buff-then-this-listing-in-semaphore-is-one-you-dont-want-to-miss/ | access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref>
The Odeon Star celebrated its 100th anniversary on 22 May 2020.<ref>{{cite web | title=Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema originally the Wondergraph Picture Theatre of 1920, South Australia | website=Flickr | date=22 December 2019 | url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129023979@N05/49990726883/ | access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref><ref name=fb/>
==Today== {{as of|December 2022}} the Odeon Star shows new release mainstream and arthouse films, charging {{AUD|12}} for any session, any day.<ref>{{cite web | title=Home | website=Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas | url=https://www.odeonstar.com.au/ | access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref>
It is also one of several venues for the Adelaide Film Festival in October each year.<ref>{{cite web | title=Venues | website=Adelaide Film Festival | date=3 September 2020 | url=https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/attending-the-festival/venues/ | access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref>
==Footnotes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official|https://www.odeonstar.com.au/}}
{{authority control}}
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Category:Cinemas in Adelaide Category:1920 establishments in Australia