CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

"The former Star Cinema Theatre is of local historical Significance. It is a relatively early example of an cinema established in a 'primitive' factory like building, in keeping with the phenomenon of factories being converted at night into cinemas (e.g. Brunswick's first cinema (Oxford Hall) in Penders Nail Factory c.1909), of which no evidence remains. The building has been substantially altered, and has little architectural Significance.

The building dates from the early 1920s, and appears to have been constructed as a theatre. Howson's cinema was referred to as the Star Cinema Theatre in the directories, with a Mrs S Lock, confectioner, at the same address, presumably selling sweets to the patrons. The cinema operated until the mid-1920s, when the Lygon Theatre opened in Lygon Street just north of Glenlyon Road. The Lygon Theatre was operated as a picture theatre from 1922-1960. In 1985 it was partly demolished and rebuilt. Of the many picture theatres once in Brunswick, few buildings remain. The former Lyric Theatre (1912) and the former Western Theatre (c.1929) remain relatively intact, while only the shells of the former Lygon Theatre and former Liberty Theatre still exist." (Heritage Victoria)

References
Heritage Victoria, 'Star Cinema Theatre (former)', Victorian Heritage Database, viewed 2 June 2010, http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/heritage/59000