These days, we know it as Civic Video (or just Civic, if you go by the shopfront sign. I bet they’re dying to be able to remove the word ‘video’ from the rest of their signs, despite how cost ineffective that would be), but prior to 1984 this was the Padstow Star Cinema:
Padstow Star Cinema, 1964. Image courtesy Joe Simiana.
Built in 1952 as the sister cinema to the not-too-distant Panania Star, the Padstow Star was one of many suburban cinemas of old. It’s a concept you can barely imagine now, unless you live in Beverly Hills. In 1985 the cinema closed, with Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure being its last screening. See, Ewoks do ruin everything.
Ever since, it’s been a house of movies in a very different way:
The interior has been refurbished, but it’s still quite easy to see what it originally was. The screen is a dead giveaway:
The projection booth remains as well, and is now the manager’s office judging by the angry, managerial eyes staring out at me when I tried to take a picture of it. Given the impending death of video shops, it’ll be interesting to see if this building gets yet another lease on life in Civic’s wake, or whether the residents of Padstow will have to start drinking for entertainment on a Friday night, like the rest of us.
Past/Lives of the Near Future 
in Melbourne there was an old cinema in Windsor (Prahran) that was converted into a video shop in the mid-nineties, like the above, cinema seats were replaced by video shelves. The interiors of both the foyer and auditorium were intact, even the original screen which was used to show movies when the video shop was open, which was pretty cool. I remember seeing “The Lion King” on it, was just like being at the movies in the fifties! There was even a HOYTS sign on the footpath at the entrance. Then the video shop closed in the late nineties, converted into a nightclub called “Empire” which lasted only a very short while before being gutted by fire. It eventually was demolished and apartments now occupy this site.
I grew up in Padstow, so the Star was my local. I loved it, and am glad it’s still there in essence.
In the 1970s our school used to hire the cinema for our annual speech day. There would be a dais set up beneath the screen, with the kids sitting in the lower stalls and the parents/guests at the rear stalls. I can still remember coming down the front to receive an award and having the whole theatre clapping. Later we stood on benches, right in front of the screen (the curtains were closed but we peeped behind) to play the recorder.
The theatre used to have a ‘Now Showing’ poster board on a fence next to my school, in front of Mr Labua’s tuck shop on Chamberlain Rd. Each week we would look at the board to see what was showing at the Star.
Originally the entrance, ticket box and kiosk would have been much as is today, but at some stage the theatre must have bought the propertly next door (now Angelo’s pizza restaurant). This became the new entrance, with ticket box and entry foyer and the toilets to the rear. Today’s entry foyer remained the kiosk, and manangers’ office. You entered the theatre from the rear of the new foyer, entering at the half-way point on the right side.
I remember the owner was a rickety old guy with glasses, a little scary to look at but very generous. If you stayed behind after a movie and helped him pick up all the rubbish from the aisles, he would give you a free ticket for next week.
When the theatre closed, all the seats were ripped out and put in a pile at the back. The old wooden floor was then demolished and a new flat concrete slab installed instead. The original floor was lower at the screen end (you can see from today’s inside shot that only half the screen area is visible), and higher at the rear. You can still see the rear floor line on the walls. The side walls and roof, and their lights and decoration, are original.
I hope the Star (video shop or otherwise) remains for years to come.
Dear Phil and Michael,
As at the 8th March, 2017, the premises is for lease and according to the real estate agents is zoned for consulting rooms (medical), bulky goods or showroom. Rent is $65k per annum.
If you want to look at the auditorium without the shelves, you can click on eight photos of the interior. Note the presence of the projection booth at the rear, there was room for four projectors. Normally a pre-digital and pre-multiplex cinema with carbon arc/xenon lamp projector had three portholes for three projectors, two for the movie and one for the slide. Roselands Theatre Beautiful had provision for four projectors – it had four portholes.
The floor looks like one great big concrete slab. I doubt you could ever restore it as a cinema and reinstate the lower floor. That’s unless an entrepreneur wants to have an Orpheum of the south. By the way the Orpheum was owned by the Virgonas. Another site (sorry cannot find again) has a photo showing the proscenium (the screen end) with green curtains, and another site has a photo showing the proscenium with red curtains. You can see that when the building operated as a cinema, the floor was below the stage.
Very interesting that the original pyramid/triangular lights remain which was in vogue in art-deco design cinemas. Yes it was built in the 1950s and art-deco was 1930s, but the light fittings are in the style of the 1930s.
To view the empty auditorium, click on the link, https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/22-howard-road-padstow-nsw-2211-11156993 or (copy from https to 11156993 and paste in browser). There are eight photos. Click on the ‘camera’ icon.
Personally I have never have been to the Star but have known people who have worked and lived in the Padstow area.
Regards
Anthony of Belfield
I have found two locations of the images of the proscenium of the Padstow Star.
The first is a video by Mr Bond. It shows two versions of the proscenium as a cinema – red coloured curtains and green coloured curtains. The latter refers the renovations made in the 1970s. You can see this in about 2min20s of the video. The video contains vision of newspaper articles about the Star.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B3mnhfLhGg&feature=share (if link does not work,
and
I could not find who took this photo. This shows the exterior of the cinema in colour with a picture of the red-curtained proscenium.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/32/ca/1f/32ca1f407b8a14a47ee6bdfc3f4b0fed.jpg (copy from https to jpg and paste in browser)
In case the photo disappears from the web, the archive.org file has the copy of the image, http://web.archive.org/web/20170308222702/https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/32/ca/1f/32ca1f407b8a14a47ee6bdfc3f4b0fed.jpg/ (copy from http to jpg and paste in browser)
Hope that brings back memories.
Regards
Anthony of Belfield
Here are photos of the auditorium with red curtains (closed) and curtains parted. Credits/attributes are found by right-clicking the image or by clicking on the image, you’ll be directed to the site hosting that image.
red curtains
archived
curtains parted:
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/e29d5b682975c2599655cf58811029be?width=650
Regards
Anthony of exciting Belfield
Here are some photos of the front and rear of the former auditorium. Also mentioned the proposed development of the former video store (formerly a cinema) to a gymnasium.
Photos courtesy of the Commercial Property Group and the site hosting these photos,
http://www.ksouhouse.com/house_img.php?t=3&sta=nsw&id=1944436&seq=0&price=&addr=22+Howard+Road®ion=Padstow&img=0
Front of auditorium showing the proscenium – compare with the last photo in my previous posting. In the previous posting, the floor was lower.
https://web.archive.org/web/20180111035829/http://cre.domainstatic.com.au/w640-h427-10508105_4_pi_160708_121509
Rear of auditorium – note the projection booth and that the sloping ‘stadium’ floor towards the rear has been removed. In other words there is no sloping in the auditorium,
https://web.archive.org/web/20180111040254/http://cre.domainstatic.com.au/w640-h427-10508105_5_pi_160708_121508
which is exemplified by the following photo,
https://web.archive.org/web/20180111040609/http://cre.domainstatic.com.au/w640-h427-10508105_6_pi_160708_121509
As at 11-1-2018, the new tenant has applied to convert the former video store to a gymnasium.The tenant already owns another fitness centre in Padstow, page 7,
http://webdocs.bankstown.nsw.gov.au/api/publish?documentPath=aHR0cDovL2lzaGFyZS9zaXRlcy9EZXZlbG9wbWVudC9EQSAyMDE3L0RBLTMxMS0yMDE3L1NFRSBSZXBvcnQgLSAyMiBIb3dhcmQgUmQsIFBhZHN0b3cucGRm&title=SEE%20Report%20-%2022%20Howard%20Rd,%20Padstow
Also click on the history and documents tab of the following:
http://eplanning.bankstown.nsw.gov.au/ApplicationSearch/ApplicationDetails?applicationId=37900258
The proposed development complies with council regulations. To those people who say that the area needs a creative centre, who do these people think will fund the rent and development/fitout? Them? I doubt it. The applicant risked putting up the capital and already owns a gym in the Padstow area. I agree with the comments by “Jim”. Let the market sort it out.
Source:
https://www.planningalerts.org.au/applications/810488
Regards
Anthony from Belfield
Phil,
You have a rather good memory of the cinema. Being an employee of the place between 1977 & 1984 I was devastated when the curtains closed for the final time. We, my fellow workmates and I, had so many good fun times before, during and after session times. I wonder how many people remember when cinemas showed 2 movies each night? Suburban cinemas were a great way to 2 movies for the so-called price of one. I will have to have a look at home as I have a photo of the screen with the curtains open, plus photos of the projection equipment that we used. As for the ‘rickety old guy’ that was the manager (1977 to 1979) he was arrested & charged with nearly 100 child sex offenses. But that is another story and not for telling here.
Mark Flanagan!!
Holy crap! Mate I was there that last night. You ride a motor bike if memory serves me correctly.
Nigel
Not me – I have never owned a motorbike but I do know who you are talking about. I can’t remember his name but he was a cousin of one other person that worked there.
Hi Mark, I don’t remember going there in the evenings; my mates and I always went on Saturday afternoons. That was when we stayed back to help clean up and get free tickets. After a few weeks, when the word had got around and there were more that four or five of us doing that, the owner put an end to it. But I can still remember seeing films like Two Minute Warning, Bullet Train and Blade Runner at the Star. I can also still remember putting my rubber-soled shoes on the heating bar and have them half melt.
I had heard that story about a theatre manager going to gaol for those offences, but I thought it was the owner of the Hurstville / Kogarah Mecca. I thought that was why Kogarah remained there locked up until recently – he still owned it.
When the Star closed, I once managed to work my way inside through the barricaded doors and was greatly saddened to see all the seats ripped out and left in a huge pile on the wooden floor. I took three of them, took them home and cleaned them up and sat them in my garage for years afterwards. They were two-tone brown cloth on wooden frames, with cast metal endes painted gold and wooden arm rests. Had to throw them out eventually.
Phil,
To complete a bit more of the ownership picture, the cinema reopened was in 1977 by the ‘gentleman’ concerned after it had been closed for a short period due to the previous owners putting it up for sale. I do remember his name but I feel it would be inappropriate to mention it here due to his arrest. Anyway, after he arrest in 1979 it was sold to the RSL club next door, who then leased it to a wonderful couple (Phil & Dianne McGee) that ran the Randwick Ritz, the Kogarah Mecca and a couple of others. they then handed over running of the cinema after a year or 2 to her brother Mark Darwin, who was in charge of the place until it finally closed in 1984.
I also remember the seating, and there were 2 sets. The ones you described were in the stalls (lower level), and in the dress circle the seats had been re-covered in purple vinyl. Given the types of some of the youth that attended the cinema I’m surprised that the seats did not get slashed…..
I think I still have a couple of photos at home of the projection equipment that we had in there as well as a B&W photo of the screen with the curtains fully opened. Might see if I can find them. And here is a piece of trivia – the Padstow Star had the largest screen of all suburban cinemas before they started building the multiplexes.
Hi, I also grew up in Padstow and have fond memories of Padstow Star. You mention that you have a B/W photo of the screen with the curtains fully open, would love to see that photo if possible. Can you please email it to me? Many family members would also get a kick out of seeing it. Also does anyone have an exterior photo of the cinema prior to it being Civic Video? The only one I can find is the grainy 1964 shot on this site.
Thank you so much for bringing back some fond memories. (Jaffas down the aisle!)
Cheers,
Karen
Karen
I will see if I can find the photo but it may take a while. It was too big to put into a photo album so it may be in loose with all the other photos……
Thanks Mark, that’s OK if it takes a while. I’s been a few decades since I’ve seen it, I can wait a little longer.
Karen
I’ve searched long and hard. Can’t find the photo anywhere. I’ll keep looking when I can but I don’t like my chances.
Don’t worry about it. You’ve brought back some fun memories. Thanks for trying.
I am 54 now I was a projectionist in the early 70s to late 79 what memories, old David coffel adds via a slide carbon ach, and a pair of kalee ach film projectors . What memories. I showed Star Wars 54 times over a 2 week period. Glad to have been there
John
If memory serves me correctly you also advertised your services there too.
Just a correction here. The last screening at padstow star was of Mad Max 3 beyond thunderdome. I know this for two reasons 1) I was there and 2) I was on staff at this time.
What a great place it was.
For the last few years of its life my family worked there, mum sold tickets, I was an usher and my bro was the projectionist.
We were devastated when it closed.
Unbelieveable……wow, some names in this thread i havent heard for a looooong time….Mark Flanagan, how are you man? And Mark Darwin being in charge???? What about good old Wayne Johnson? And a few other names you guys may recall, Sascha Peel, a fellow projectionist……….there was a lady that sold tickets named Irene? And, for the ultimate memorabilia, i actually have, the ice cream price listing signage, from the day it closed, hanging in my garage…..what great memories……such a shame it is no longer as it was
Craig….
If I am thinking of the right person – older brother of Brett? And I do remember Wayne. Always wondered what happened to him, if he fully recovered from the car accident. I have to say that I can’t remember Irene.
Great fun times…..
Padstow Star Theatre open Wed 4th,July,1956.”The 7 year Itch”+”Dr.At Sea.That was showing ’till Fri.Screenig Sat.Mon,Tue,”20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.”Screening policy Wed,Thu,Fri. Sat,Mon,Tue.Change of prog.Wed.& Sat.Nightly:7:30pm. Sat.Mat:1:30pm.& school holidays.I was told,10 months to build.Cost:50,000pounds[$100,000]Average wage then[taken for 1955]39pounds77/-[$79.55]. It held 768seats.Tom Virgona was the one who had-it built.Along with Herne bay/Riverwood “MELODY” being the 1st.Open 15th,Jan,1947.Closed 30th.Jan,1965.484 seater.Cost.7,000pounds[$14,000]Avg.wage[taken for 1946]6pounds[$12]2nd.”STAR”Panania open Fri,30th,April,1954.Closed 20th,Nov,1965.1076seater.Cost.50,000pounds[$100,000]Avg.wage[takenfor 1953]12pounds[$24].All 3 theatres had the same screening policy.Full-time staff.Manager,cashier,projectionist +assistant,2xmale ushers,2xfemale usherettes,3xshop,2xcleaners&2part-time cleaners.Tom wasn’t there as manager.He was booking the programmes.Tom told me,[1964]Padstow was the last theatre in syd.[maybe NSW] to be built!’Cause,Television was starting[16/9/56] And the industry knew what it was doing in USA.As far as i know,6 nights,&sat.mats.lasted,until end 1961 for Riverwood & Panania.Padstow went till,maybe early- middle 1962.Then padstow theatre was reduced to Fri,Sat,night.with Sat.mat.only.Thats when Tom,came manager for Padstow star.[That part i’m.onlyguessing] I was living-in Herne Bay[3mnths]waiting for ‘housing commison’house padstow hights!So,we went to Melody until Padstow was built!I was attending every sat.mat.from 1962-63.I use to get there 11:am.1st.inline.At exactually 11:45am.Tom,would pull-up,in he’s big black’40’sDe-soto.Right-out the front.Same spot every sat.Then he come-out 12:30pm.to check-on the attendance.So,every sat.mat.i’ll be there 1st.inline.Come 1964,i started going sat nights.Programme was the same as mat.Unless,he had to screen ‘special’sat.mat.Then i would attend mat.& night!I would get there around 6:15pm.sat.nights.Tom let me-in.The odd times we would have a chat.I remember one time,i said to him,”who owns panania Star,’cause they charge more to get-in!”[I was attending East Hills Boys’High 1962-1965 & use to go past the theatre on to school] He said”I do.”I can’t remember what i or he said after that! To be continuee………………………………….
It definitely did screen 2 movies on a Saturday night. My brother and I were teenagers in late 1973 (13 and 15) when we decided to be cheapskates one weekend and sneak “back” in with the paying customers just as intermission ended, thus watching the second movie for free.
Huge mistake, because Papillon was screening and with a running time of 2 1/2 hours, was split into two parts with an intermission. We only saw the second half…. which was pointless as we’d missed the setup of the story.
Never did that again!
“Pappillon”was shown,Thu-Sun,15-18th,Nov,1974.
Sat.3rd,July,1965[day before,theatre’s 9th.birthday]arrived at the usually time 6:15pm.saw Tom,sleeves rolled-up,after he came-out from helping mrs.Castle clean-up from Sat.mat attendance”Flipper and the Pirates +”The Phantom Planet.”[I was awaitng to see that tonight]To help Mrs.Castle to clean-up!It must have been packed-out!He asked me,”Would you be interested in helping Mrs.Castle,by coming down before mat.session ends,and help clean-up!’cause i know you’re here every sat.for the evening show.”Yes!That night,when the rest of the staff arrive,for evening show……Tom,letting them know,i was one of the staff now.I wasn’t get paid.I was gettin-in for free & Tom shout me,pkt.”Twisties”& “drink”from the theatre shop.Her had the keys.He was the BOSS. I did that for 10yrs.Best part i liked,burning the rubbish in incinerator at back.Watching technicolor flames 1mtre.above chimney when it was dark and train going past.I was curious to see what it was like to be up-on stage.Ask Tom could clean-out the stage.So he show me, where the lights were,and one was right in the middle behind the screen on brick back-wall.Twice i did this 2/10/65,22/12/65.I was cleaning everything.Toilet windows,pulling-out weeds out the back,cleaning-out incinerator,stage light-bulbs.I wanted to explore every inch of the place.Come sat 20/11/65 Panania Star was closing,not because of poor attendance,Tom wanted seats for a new theatre he was building in Sydney.”Ascot”in Pitt St. 970seats re-upholstred by dunlopillo.[Thats another story].So,5 staff from Panania were to move-in here at Padstow for fri/sat.mat.&night.19,20;Nov,65.Mrs.King[manageress]Bill Collins[projectionist]Jan[shop]Arthur Copper[mat & night usher]Lex Wells[mat.only usher] To go from padstow Bruce Patterson[projectionist]can’t remember the others.And the that week-end “The Bridge On The River Kwai.”In a way,i wished he had built the Ascot [he only had 20yr.lease on the land]Panania might have lasted as long-as,Padstow maybe even longer.The one place i enter yet!Bio-box!On 11/12/65 arrived early sat.arvo,screening that w/end.”The Pot Carriers”+”Ensign Pulver”enter the bio-box.And i end-up watching the sat.night progs.from there-on.Besides Bill Collins operating.He carried-out maint.work on seats,pasting-up posters[day-bills,1-sheeters]at railway stns.closed Riverwood Panania front building.I help him at Panania taking down awing flro-lights,Riverwood doing something,can’t remember on wed.15/12/65. To be contine in next chapter……………………
I started-out,assistant projectionist sat.night session 5/2/66 screening then “A Very Special Favor.”+”Tarzan’s 3 Challenges.”All i was doing,rewinding each spool after each ‘change’-over.Of course i wasn’t getting paid for this!It was for the love-of the job.The same as for sat.arvo cleaning.Made-up poster board and fixed-it to fence at Padstow Heights pub.school next to Mr.Labua’s shop,mon.23/5/66.The 1st.two daybills,pasted-on”Cat Ballou”&”Battle In Outer Space.”Then they[Tom Virgona owner & Mrs.King managress] offered me another job,securing theatre seats to timber floor.That meant,giving me the keys to Padstow ‘Star’ & Riverwood’Melody’on sat.31/12/66.Showing”The Liquidator”+”The Wonders Of Aladdin”.Tom Virgona[owner]wasn’t coming-out as much Aladdin.”Tom Virgona [owner]wasn’t coming out as much.Busy with his new theatre ‘Ascot’ in city.I was ‘popping’-in,every so often.And he would say”are you looking after Padstow Star”?Bill Collins our proj.was finishing-up Sat.10/6/67.Screening then”Dr.You’ve Got To Be Kidding”+”The Sheepman” There that night,Bruce Paterson who had been pojectionist before Panania closed 20/11/65.was there to take-over.There was me & Paul Dravet being taught how to do ‘change’-overs on projectors,dimming the lights,opening masks,curtins. Another staff [usher]from Panania Star finish-up last sat.mat.4/11/67 Disney’s”The Ugly Dachshand”+”Winnie The Pooh”.Come the sad news tues.5/12/67 Tom Virgona pass-away.That fri/sat prog.”Georgey Girl”+”Escape from Fear. So,we were all was wondering if theatre was to continue-on.Then we heard Mrs.Virgona approach the club next-door.They weren’t interested.So theatre carried-on with the prog that had been books weeks ahead which took us-up till fri/sat Jan,19,20,1968.”Banning” +”The Jokers”.I’ll never forget that sat.night Bruce was downstairs probably in the office talking to Mrs.King.Paul & i upstairs in Bio-box operating,and one-of us ‘left’a reel’out’on ‘change-over “Banning”I remember the scene actor Robert Wagner was ‘teeing’-off on golf-course on the end-of spool 4’change-over’ next scene at a party having a drink.Well,we came-out 20mins early.Bruce & Mrs.King got a shock when patrons walking-out! To be continue next chapter……………………….
Sadly, Civic Video Padstow will be closing in a few weeks time. Unfortunately, the industry is dying and there is no money to be made. It’s a shame. Farewell, old friend.
First Comic Kingdom and now this!
Yes Charlie, I went in there last week, and there are CLOSING DOWN SALE signs and posters on the footpath, walls and doors. Much of the stock is already gone and it has a half-empty feel already. The girl behind the counter thought the closing could be as early as this weekend (!) In all likelihood the building will demolished and a block of units built on the site. Very sad to see some of these old theatres being demolished, years after their closure as cinemas. Over the last couple of years we’ve lost the Victory theatre at Gladesville; the Vogue / Village Twin at Double Bay, and I think, the Hoyts Crescent at Fairfield.
Hi guys John here I used to be the projectionist in Padstow star also village roadshows and Hoyt’s. when it closed I was the last projectionist there I believe , I did find many old posters from years gone by, also many genuine b/w photos . Covered in dust . When you walked into the small office there was a small step down oporste through a door. It crossed from office into the canteen. I found these stashed covered in dust and rubbish . It’s very sad to see her go. Used to sell the Tickets in a small booth next to office door. This area was the now pizza shop . Regarding the then manager he was not the owner the rsl next door owned the cinema. He was leasing it. I was around when he was arrested . He served 5 years I believe he had also used other cinemas in the past to lure children . I was involved in his arrest in one occasion . He died 5 years ago now buried at rookwood cemetery in a cardboard box paupers grave . I have a great love of picture theatres Romberg going to watch Ben hour ar the roxy at parramatta . Also worked on the pipe organ at the state theatre Sydney . No many know that cats are born in the basement never see daylight they live and die there. Also the power generator in the state is actually an submarine Diesel engine date Int back early 20s . The old fellow was a Feller called Peter row he used to look after the pipes of the organ . I remember walking down the orchestra pit . Back in time old chairs laying around and the stage was propped up permanently . The organ used to spin around playing and rising to a mass audiences . Those where the days
John – there were a couple of other projectionists there at the time of its final closure. I was one of them, and I have a very vague recollection that when it did close it’s doors for the final time in 1984 we screened “The Never Ending Story”, or at leats it was one of the very last movies to be screened. Rather ironic now that I look back at it……
Hi mark Allan tranter was also projectionist there . He had a black beard He was a very gay person nice bloke but unusual . He owns the regent Melbourne theatre pipe organ. He purchased it in the early 70s. He also used to play a organ at the star there during the Star Wars screenings . I don’t Know if he’s still alive but that regent organ is still to this day in bits and pieces in his mothers garage in melbourn.
John – I never met Allan but I do have a very vague recollection of seeing him one screening playing the organ during intermission.
Hey mark if ever want to catch up my email is ammg3@bigpond.com
Hi Guys. Love hearing all the stories about the Padstow Star Picture Theatre. I can go back to the later 50’s when the Manager got me up on stage at interval with guitar in hand singing all the rock ‘n’roll songs. (I had won a talent contest there on Saturday afternoons). Used to pack out the theatre every friday night & the place rocked. I was about 13 or so at the time. Older people in the audience complained some times because it held up the 2nd movie. All the young people wanted to hear all the latest rock n roll songs…& I used to belt them out. Got stacks of free tickets & did this for about 9 months. Still rocking the old songs with my guitar & writing new ones. Keep the memories coming!
In the Fifties for the Saturday day matinee movies at the mighty Padstow Star we would join a long queue and a huge highlight was that everyone brought comics with them and you would go up and down the line swapping comics. You would swap your stack of comics, which you had read, for ones you hadn’t read. You would hear “Read it, read it, haven’t read it…” as they were flipped through. So great movies and you had some different comics to read.
A friend’s older brother apparently got kicked out for doing a handstand on the seat and putting his feet in front of the projection window thus showing two big feet on the screen. We only had some dried pea shooters for fun and, yes, there was uproar when someone dropped their Jaffas on the sloping floor.
It was always a real treat to go there.
Yes it was a wonderful time in Padstow at the Star Theatre in th 1950’s I grew up in Padstow and lived at 107 Howard Road just up from the Theatre. I well remember as a 4 year old child playing on the foundations of the Theatre whilst it was under construction.
When the theatre opened it was a big avent indeed. Yes comic swapping was all the go, the kids would queue and swap comics at the same time. The matinee programs would feature The Three Stooges, Laurel and Hardy, Ma and Pa Kettle to name a few. If I remember correctly you paid 6 pence admission for the stalls and 9 pence for dress circle. I well remember when the trailer for Carousel was shown the screen exploded into a big screen never before seen, It was magnificent.
Over the years I saw all the Big films of the day, King and I, Ben Hur to name a few. I also remember that before the performance and during interval they always played the music from the Nelson Riddle Album Route 66, a copy of which I still have today and it always brings back wonderful memories of such a nice theatre.
At one stage after opening around 1955 they also had a Wednesday Matinee. As a small child I remember sneaking in after school to watch the end of Lady and the Tramp.
The arrival of television shortly after the opening obviously affected the business and I well remember being one of the few on a Friday night watching the films.
I left Padstow in 1964 But remember coming back to the Theatre in 1974 on Sunday nights to see MGM musicals which were wonderful.
Padstow in the 1950’s was a developing suburb. There was no curb and guttering and no paved footpath, no sewerage no council amenities. The Library known as the book-mobile which delivered books on a weekly basis parked in the shopping centre.
To have a picture Theatre built and established in the 1950’s by Mr Virgona is something which deserves recognition. He was a wonderful man who truly understood the need to provide entertainment to a local community. Unfortunately he seems to be forgotten in all of this. Perhaps in time someone will give consideration to his legacy not only in Padstow but also Panania with it’s Star Theatre.
I can also add that the Theatre took on a new Life after 1964 But it was never the same as it was in the early years. The Candy Bar had an amazing Mirror. I dont know what happened to that.
There was also a lady who worked in the ticket office and usherette who had a birth mark on her neck, I don’t know her name but she was a lovely lady. I could say much more but perhaps another time.
Hello,
I’m a former resident of the area & the cinema is gym now although I have never been inside. The very fist movie I saw in this cinema was Flash Gordon circa 1980 as a 7 year old which ignited a life long love of cinema.