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Court scored another first with the screening
of His Lady in April, simultaneously with the
new Capitol Theatre in Sydney.

Finally, it was advertised that The Razor Gang
would be screened - Lismore’s own screen
classic. The local press reported the following
day: “The large audience at the Star Court
last night had the unusual experience of
witnessing the screening of a film, The Razor
Gang, in which local personalities have the
parts. Scenes in Lismore and Grafton form the
background. Filmed by the Hollywood on
Holidays Company under the direction of
Mr. W. Reed, the picture represents an
achievement in local production and is a
tribute to the enterprise of the management of
the Star Court Theatre. The photography is
excellent. That there is screen talent in
Lismore is proved by the capable way the
local artists portray their respective parts.
The interiors were shot on the stage of the
Star Court, and in the picture are many
scenes familiar to the people of Lismore. The
picture will be shown again tonight.”
Sound was installed at the Star Court in
1929; the plant was RCA Photophone. Floors
were carpeted and new seats installed in the
dress circle. The opening attraction was the
MGM feature Alias Jimmy Valentine, starring
Lionel Barrymore.

In 1929, the open courtyard to the theatre was
filled in with a shopping arcade, the facade of
the theatre no longer visible from the street.

In 1933, it was reported that “Mr. Dorgan’s
chain of north coast theatres is rapidly
assuming a very prominent place in the
amusement world. An instance is the
inauguration of releases simultaneously with
capital cities of the Australian and overseas
newsreels. At present, a movement is being
made to do the same with the majority of
Star Court Cinema today
feature films.”
his theatre of a regular supply of good Jesters, the greatest jazz band in the
product. Union Theatres was a growing Commonwealth. Such were the types of On 23 May 1933, the local newspaper, The
distribution and exhibition combine, which entertainment that were presented on a regular Northern Star, carried an item relating to plans
was expanding rapidly in the early 1920s. basis at the Star Court. made by Mr. T.J. Dorgan to erect a new
cinema in Molesworth Street, to be named the
In August 1922, the Star Court screened Way March 1928 saw an historic event. On stage Plaza. This new, modern structure would later
Down East, directed by D.W. Griffith. From was the Hollywood on Holidays Company. become the Vogue Theatre and opened on
4 September 1922, the Lismore Music Segments of a film would be filmed on the 11 November 1935. (I will cover the history
Festival occupied the stage. Following the stage in front of a live audience, using local of the Vogue in a later issue of
Festival, the Fisk Jubilee Singers appeared, as performers. “Your own picture! In your own CinemaRecord.)
well as Levante, the world famous illusionist. town! With local talent! 125,000 candlepower
In November 1922, Amy Castles, the in huge arc lamps will be placed on the stage, I recall going to the Star Court between the
Australian world famous dramatic soprano, and the interior scenes of the story will be years 1936-1940. Friday nights were the most
gave her farewell appearance. Whether it be directed and photographed as it is done in favoured, as the program included a chapter of
for films or stage performances, business at Hollywood.” A few days later, another the latest serial from Universal, such as The
the Star Court could be so buoyant that it advertisement, similar to the above, stated that Vanishing Shadow, Flash Gordon, Flaming
resulted in patrons standing at the rear of the “the photographer would be Dal Clawson, Frontiers and Wild West Days, amongst
hall, chairs added, even persons sitting on and Director W.R. Reed. The featured players others. There was always a line-up at the
Mintie tins. would be locals Heather Belle McInnes, Edie ticket office, and the queue stretched along the
Thornly, Mrs. E. Puddicombe, John Simpson, right side lane until the doors opened and
Major films of that era were often Percy Dansy. Your opportunity to see the there was a mad rush to secure the first seats
accompanied by a prologue depicting the actual creation of a photoplay.” in the front stalls. By session start time, most
theme of the film to follow. In July 1927, a of the area would be filled, including the rows
special screening of The Eucharistic Congress It would be two months before Lismore at the front which had long wooden benches,
was shown, produced by the Fox Company. In audiences could see the film at the Star like garden seats.
September 1927, The World’s Wonder Show Court, presented as The Razor Gang. Its
from J.C. Williamsons was featured, followed production was delayed by damage to the film After the show, we would join one of the two
a few weeks later by Keith’s Syncopating studio in Sydney. In the meantime, the Star buses that covered the South Lismore areas.

12 CINEMARECORD # 88