CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

Marino Lucas opened the Princess theatre in 1911. It was built as a live theatre venue but on the opening night the satge was not completed so The Speckled Hen was screened. The venue continued to screen silent films accompanied by vaudville acts.

Lucas sold the Princess in 1916 to the Tate family of Melbourne and was leased to Spencer Pictures Ltd until 1921 when Union Theatres took over the lease. Ownership changed again in 1939 when Russell Investments bought the theatre and Hoyts took over the running of the shows.

Renovations started in october 1939 but continued to screen nightly. It was officially reopened on January 19 1940. In 1954 Hoyts closed the theatre for one week to install Cinemascope. The Hoyts neon sign replaced the Princess neon sign. The venue closed in 1970, but was purchased by the city council and reopened later that year as a live theatre venue. (Healey 2011)

References
Adams, K 2011 'Launceston Princess' Cinema Record, no. 69, pp. 22-3
Healey, J 2011 'Princess theatre' Kino Cinema Quarterley no.115, pp. 26-9