The Capri Theatre in Goodwood, South Australia, marks its 85th anniversary this month, commemorating a long legacy as a cultural and cinematic landmark since its opening in 1941. The heritage-listed art-deco venue began life as the New Star Theatre, built by cinema entrepreneur Dan Clifford, and has served generations of moviegoers while preserving a unique place in the community.
Opening its doors on October 8, 1941, the New Star Theatre was hailed at the time as a modern venue, featuring architectural hallmarks of the art moderne era such as circular portals, semi-circular ticket boxes, cove lighting, and an elegant grand staircase with detailed metalwork. Clifford sought to provide patrons with a premium cinema experience comparable to that of major cities worldwide, offering amenities aimed at comfort and luxury, including powder bars and cosmetic rooms for female guests. The theatre originally boasted 1,472 seats with generous legroom and plush lounges, double the current capacity.
The cinema quickly became a popular escape throughout the Second World War, screening films such as Florian starring Robert Young and Helen Gilbert, alongside Dr Kildare Goes Home with Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore. Following Clifford’s death in 1942, his theatre circuit, including the New Star, was sold five years later to Greater Union Theatres.
The theatre underwent significant changes in the late 1960s, adapting to the rise of television by rebranding as Cinema Capri in 1967 and focusing on international films. However, declining audiences in the late 1970s led to the venue’s closure. In a transition that preserved its historical and cultural value, the Theatre Organ Society of Australia’s South Australian division acquired the venue. This allowed the installation of a rare 1924-built Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ salvaged from Darwin shortly before Cyclone Tracy struck in 1974.
On December 26, 1978, the rebranded Capri Theatre reopened to the public, presenting a triple feature including Gone With The Wind, Convoy, and Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown. Since then, the venue has hosted a range of cultural events and screenings, including cult cinema nights. Long-serving theatre worker Wayne Bertram recalls a vivid memory from the early 1980s when police quietly lined the back wall during a screening of The Blues Brothers, mirroring a scene from the film itself. On another occasion, a scheduled screening of an Andy Warhol double feature had to be replaced unexpectedly by Woody Allen’s Sleeper due to missing film reels, prompting a significant portion of the audience to leave but leaving those who stayed with a memorable experience.
Restoration efforts, notably of the theatre’s Wurlitzer organ, culminated in a milestone performance on April 2, 1983. Today, the Capri operates as a not-for-profit organization, with revenues reinvested in maintaining the building and promoting the organ. Recognized as a State Heritage site since 1990, the theatre continues to serve as a vibrant hub for classic cinema and community events.
To celebrate its 85th anniversary, the Capri Theatre will host a weekend of classic film screenings, underscoring its enduring role as both a historical landmark and a living center of film culture in Adelaide.