Wondergraph

Wondergraph, Wondergraph Theatre and variations were names given first to a technology, and then to picture theatres run first by the Continental Wondergraph Company (represented by two German men who arrived in Perth, Western Australia, in 1910); and then, in Adelaide, South Australia, by the Wondergraph Company (1910–1911), and then the Greater Wondergraph Company, established around 1911 and in existence until 1939.

The Continental Wondergraph Company was registered in Perth in early 1910, and later that year set up an open-air cinema in Semaphore. This was followed in 1911 by the Wondergraph Theatre, an indoor picture theatre in Goodwood.

The Greater Wondergraph Company was established in Adelaide around 1911 by a group of South Australian men led by Mandel Finkelstein, who built the first Wondergraph picture theatre in Hindley Street in 1912–13, and over time built a cinema chain in the city and suburbs. In September 1920 Dan Clifford bought some of Wondergraph's suburban cinemas. The Greater Wondergraph Company finally went into liquidation in 1942, after selling their remaining interests to S.A. Theatres in 1939.

Company history

=November 1909: arrival in Perth=

The Continental Wondergraph Company is first mentioned in newspapers in Australia on 10 November 1909 in Perth, Western Australia, when they announced the presentation at the Theatre Royal, for the first time in Australia, a new technology, "claimed to be the latest development of animated art. The pictures, which are presented on a silver wall instead of on a linen screen, are, it is stated, greatly intensified, and presented more clearly and more distinctly in their every outline. Three different apparatus are said to be utilised to produce the remarkable mechanical and artistic effects. The Wondergraph is declared to be a perfected cinematograph and phonograph combined, and differs from all other shows of the kind in that the dramatic dancing and singing pictures are presented not in a dark, but in a lighted room". It was the company's intention to have a limited season in Perth before proceeding to the eastern states.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26241944 |title=Entertainments. |newspaper=The West Australian |volume=XXV |issue=7,371 |location=Western Australia |date=10 November 1909 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}

A Mr K. Luttgens was the director, and Mr T. Baar the general manager, and both arrived in the "Koningen Louise" (probably SS Königin Luise) on 8 November 1909. A later court case revealed that there were six partners in the firm when they came out from Germany, including W. H. Bruce in Australia.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5283666 |title=Alleged breach of contract. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LII |issue=16,127 |location=South Australia |date=24 June 1910 |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In January 1910 Wondergraph gave exhibitions in Kalgoorlie.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90961551 |title=Continental Wondergraph. |newspaper=Kalgoorlie Miner |volume=16 |issue=4454 |location=Western Australia |date=8 January 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} In March 1910 the "Continental Wondergraph Company, Ltd., of £1,250, in 25 shares of £50 each" was registered at the Supreme Court of Western Australia, with an office at 11 William Street, Perth.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76798589 |title=News and notes. |newspaper=The Daily News (Perth) |volume=XXIX |issue=10,840 |location=Western Australia |date=5 March 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}

At some point the partnership with W. H. Bruce was dissolved in Western Australia, in an agreement whereby Bruce took 140 films to Adelaide and 70 to Broken Hill, New South Wales. In April 1910, at a scheduled showing of Wondergraph films in Broken Hill by Bruce, "much disappointment was expressed at the non-appearance of the 'Wondergraph Talking and Singing Machine'", owing to the failure of a piece of equipment.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45107507 |title=Continental Wondergraph. |newspaper=Barrier Miner |volume=XXIII |issue=6777 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=18 April 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} In Adelaide in June 1910, Bruce sued the Continental Wondergraph company for breach of contract. The parties agreed to a settlement whereby Bruce was paid £50. In July 1910, Bruce was showing "Bruce's pictures in the suburbs", with screenings at Unley and Semaphore,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5239896 |title=Amusements. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIII |issue=16,158 |location=South Australia |date=30 July 1910 |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} and as late as July 1912{{cite web | title=Search "W. H. Bruce's Pictures, 1909-1920" | website=Trove| url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/search/advanced/category/newspapers?l-decade=191&date.from=1909-01-01&date.to=1920-01-01&l-state=South%20Australia&sortBy=dateDesc&keyword.phrase=W.%20H.%20Bruce%20pictures&startPos=0 | access-date=24 December 2022}} Bruce was showing films at the Lyric Theatre in Grote Street.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124834027 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3 |issue=750 |location=South Australia |date=31 July 1912 |access-date=24 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

=May 1910: Adelaide=

File:W. R. Cade's Orchestra.jpg

On Saturday 14 May 1910, Luttgens and Baar began a seven-night season of screenings at the Adelaide Town Hall, using "finest and best process extant", including a technique known as "Fata Morgana",{{efn|Fata Morgana refers to an optical illusion.}} showing moving pictures in colour, accompanied by a full theatre orchestra.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5221555 |title=Continental Wondergraph Company. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LII |issue=16,087 |location=South Australia |date=9 May 1910 |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} The same show was then given at Port Adelaide in the following week.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58148990 |title=The Wondergraph at Port Adelaide. |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXV |issue=19,824 |location=South Australia |date=26 May 1910 |accessdate=23 December 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5217939 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LII |issue=16,103 |location=South Australia |date=27 May 1910 |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} They continued to give showings at the Port Adelaide Town Hall every Friday night in June 1910.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5271580 |title=Wondergraph pictures at Port Adelaide. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LII |issue=16,128 |location=South Australia |date=25 June 1910 |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In September 1910, Mendel Finkelstein (c.1878–1949{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244148590 |title=Film Pioneer Dies |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=22,627 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=29 November 1949 |access-date=24 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{efn|He was "brother of well-known theatrical personality Phil Finkelstein".}}) was selling "a large quantity of surplus outfit from the Continental Wondergraph Company", including projectors and many films, from his company at Bank Street, Adelaide.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5255397 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIII |issue=16,193 |location=South Australia |date=9 September 1910 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} A couple of days later, he posted an ad saying "WANTED, Building Site, Port Adelaide, suitable for Picture Hall, or a suitable Building... Full particulars to Wondergraph Company, c/o Finkelstein & Co., Bank-street".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209994789 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Express and Telegraph |volume=XLVII |issue=14,109 |location=South Australia |date=12 September 1910 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} In October 1910, the abridged prospectus for a new company was published, being Wondergraph Limited, with capital of £8,000, to be divided into 150 shares of £20 each. The directors were M. Finkelstein, C. B. Ware, W. O. McAulay, J. M. Hinton, and one other, to be elected at the first meeting. This new company was created to take over from Finkelstein all his rights and assets in the Continental Wondergraph Company, including the patents for the "Silver Wall" and "Fata Morgana" technologies, and also sites at Semaphore and Glenelg, with the intention of constructing a "Plcturedrome" and tea garden on these sites and elsewhere. It was also intended to build new halls for showing films and other entertainments.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5267786 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIII |issue=16,218 |location=South Australia |date=8 October 1910 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} The company proved a great success showing movies at the Adelaide Town Hall, which soon proved too small to accommodate the demand for the new "moving pictures".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5297558 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIV |issue=16,461 |location=South Australia |date=20 July 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In July 1911, a prospectus for a new company, the Greater Wondergraph Company, was published, with Capital of £50,000, divided into 50,000 Shares of £1 each. The directors of this company were Finkelstein, Charles Boxer Ware, and three more to be elected. The purpose of this new company was "to acquire and take over from the present Company, Wondergraph Limited" and to have the option to purchase part of Town Acre 673 on Hindley Street, opposite the Theatre Royal, on which they would demolish the present buildings and build a new modern picture theatre. It would also acquire the name and the two new technologies associated with the former Wondergraph company, which had showed a profit on its paid-up capital of 140%.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5297552 |title=General news. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIV |issue=16,461 |location=South Australia |date=20 July 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105324689 |title=Entertainment enterprise. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=2 |issue=431 |location=South Australia |date=22 July 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} The company held its first half-yearly meeting in February 2012. The company was floated, raising enough money to build the Wondergraph (later Civic) Theatre in Hindley Street in 1912.

On Saturday 2 December 1911, Wondergraph opened its new "Picture Pavilion" opposite the Exhibition Building on North Terrace, a seated outdoor picture theatre,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5309069 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIV |issue=16,575 |location=South Australia |date=30 November 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} with its screen made of "reinforced concrete and covered with a patent cement" (the "silver wall" technology mentioned above), the largest of its type in the country. A full orchestra would accompany the short film, A Doll's House, based on Ibsen's play{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105203944 |title=New Wondergraph Pavilion. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=2 |issue=545 |location=South Australia |date=2 December 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}} and starring Marie Eline, William Russell and Marguerite Snow.{{IMDb title|qid=Q21401986|id=tt0233596|title=A Doll's House}} The venue continued to operate for several years until at least 1919, lending itself to other uses as well.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106511778 |title=Three stars |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=9 |issue=2652 |location=South Australia |date=19 September 1918 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}} {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60375589 |title=Religious notes. |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXXIII |issue=22,406 |location=South Australia |date=31 August 1918 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5618704 |title=Wondergraph. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LXI |issue=18,789 |location=South Australia |date=2 January 1919 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215866359 |title=Waddy well walloped. |newspaper= The Sport |volume=X |issue=477 |location=South Australia |date=25 July 1919 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Around the time the group bought the York Theatre in Rundle Street ({{circa |1920}}?), Nat Solomons succeeded Edward Povey as chairman of the board. Solomons (1858–1943) was a London-born tobacco merchant, who later served as alderman and then mayor of the Kensington and Norwood Council.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55867393 |title=Death of Mr. N. Solomons |newspaper=The Mail (Adelaide) |volume=31 |issue=1,597 |location=South Australia |date=2 January 1943 |access-date=24 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

=1920: acquisitions by Clifford=

In September 1920 Dan Clifford bought Wondergraph's suburban circuit, which included cinemas at Unley, Goodwood,{{cite web | title=Semaphore Wondergraph | website=History of South Australian Picture Theatres | date=9 November 2019 | url=https://historysouthaustralianpicturetheatres.wordpress.com/2019/11/10/semaphore-wondergraph/ | access-date=21 December 2022}} and Semaphore.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137462687 |title=Started 20 years ago; now has 15 theatres |newspaper=News (Adelaide) |volume=XXX |issue=4,618 |location=South Australia |date=13 May 1938 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Nat Solomons was still chairman of Greater Wondergraph in December 1924.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64058364 |title=Australian picture shows. |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXXIX |issue=26,211 |location=South Australia |date=30 December 1924 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In October 1936, there were two cinemas in Semaphore: the Semaphore Cinema, run by Ozone Theatres, and the Wondergraph Semaphore, which had retained its name despite then being operated by the Star (Clifford) circuit.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132025502 |title=Curious Theme In Rex Picture |newspaper=News (Adelaide) |volume=XXVI |issue=4,126 |location=South Australia |date=12 October 1936 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}

=1938–9: sale to S.A. Theatres=

In January 1937 Solomons was still chairman, although had just been ill for 10 weeks.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47779950 |title=Business news in brief |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |location=South Australia |date=25 January 1937 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}

After striking a deal worth £200,000 with S.A. Theatres (a subsidiary of Ozone Theatres, owned by the Watermans), in March 1938, the Greater Wonderaph Company sold its assets to the company, including the Civic and York Theatres in the city,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30856839 |title=£200,000 deal in theatre properties |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |location=South Australia |date=31 March 1938 |access-date=25 December 2022 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}} as well as the Wondergraph theatres at Unley and Goodwood (for some time called the Star, while under D. Clifford Theatres).{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article95944437 |title=More Waterman theatres |newspaper=The Recorder |issue=12,160 |location=South Australia |date=31 March 1938 |access-date=25 December 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} In September 1939, the sale was effected, with Wondergraph distributing the proceeds among its shareholders.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41090233 |title=Greater Wondergraph Coy. Ltd. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |location=South Australia |date=8 September 1939 |access-date=25 December 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41094018 |title=Greater Wondergraph Coy. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |location=South Australia |date=25 September 1939 |access-date=25 December 2022 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35993717 |title=Civic Theatre Sold To Greater Union |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=90 |issue=27725 |location=South Australia |date=16 August 1947 |access-date=24 December 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}} The company finally went into liquidation in late 1942.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92371037 |title=Out among the people |newspaper=The Chronicle (Adelaide) |volume=LXXXV |issue=4,856 |location=South Australia |date=14 January 1943 |access-date=24 December 2022 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In August 1947, S.A. Theatres sold the Civic Theatre to Greater Union, who were leasing the theatre at the time.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206047385 |title=S. A. Theatre deal |newspaper=The Age |issue=28801 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=16 August 1947 |access-date=24 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35993717 |title=Civic Theatre sold to Greater Union |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=90 |issue=27725 |location=South Australia |date=16 August 1947 |access-date=24 December 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Theatres

=Semaphore=

File:Semaphore Wondergraph B-5541-3 cropped.jpg

Various cinemas were operated by the Continental Wondergraph Company and the Greater Wondergraph company in the seaside town (now a suburb) of Semaphore.

The Continental Wondergraph Company bought land at Semaphore in September 1910, intending to establish a tea garden and open-air cinema.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59126490 |title=Semaphore prospects. |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXV |issue=19,914 |location=South Australia |date=8 September 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} On Monday 26 December, the Wondergraph company gave the inaugural screening at its "Picturedrome".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58166087 |title=Wondergraph at Semaphore. |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXV |issue=20,007 |location=South Australia |date=26 December 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} Situated on the esplanade, the seating faced the sea, and although the construction of the kiosk and tea garden had been delayed, the screening went ahead.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103917434 |title=Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=1 |issue=253 |location=South Australia |date=26 December 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} Several silent films were projected onto a solid concrete "silver wall" by "a new invention which enables the subjects to be shown without flicker or glare".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103917568 |title=Wondergraph at the Semaphore. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=1 |issue=254 |location=South Australia |date=28 December 1910 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} The Picturedrome, which seated 1,000 patrons, was adjacent to the Customs Boarding Station, which still stands today, on the corner of the Esplanade and Semaphore Road.{{cite web | title=Wondergraph Theatre |author= Port Adelaide Historical Society | website=Mosaic Online | date=16 May 2021 | url=https://mosaiconline.com.au/portadelaidehistoricalsocietyincorporated~subjects~s90/item;jsessionid=86783A7CBCB781AEB2C59D832EB97CE9?0 | access-date=22 December 2022}} It was also referred to as the Semaphore Wondergraph.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204482930 |title=AMUSEMENTS. |newspaper=Evening Journal (Adelaide) |volume=XLV |issue=12399 |location=South Australia |date=9 January 1911 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

A scheme to enclose the Picturedrome was advertised in November 1914,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5428782 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LVII |issue=17,501 |location=South Australia |date=17 November 1914 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} but this was apparently not concluded. Films were last advertised as being shown there at the end of summer in March 1915.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60749055 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Register (Adelaide) |volume=LXXX |issue=21,319 |location=South Australia |date=10 March 1915 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} In December 1917, an advertisement refers to the "Semaphore Wondergraph Residential Cafe", right opposite the beach, for short stays.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5583556 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LX |issue=18,472 |location=South Australia |date=27 December 1917 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The Greater Wondergraph Company (formed in Adelaide in 1911{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5297552 |title=General news. |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIV |issue=16,461 |location=South Australia |date=20 July 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105324689 |title=Entertainment enterprise. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=2 |issue=431 |location=South Australia |date=22 July 1911 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} ) started showing films at the Semaphore Town Hall by mid-1912, which was also referred to as the Semaphore Wondergraph.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124831614 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3|issue=739 |location=South Australia |date=19 July 1912 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124821818 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3 |issue=770 |location=South Australia |date=28 August 1912 |access-date=31 December 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}} In July 1912, a film of the British Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Scott was shown at this Semaphore Wondergraph.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124833887 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3 |issue=750 |location=South Australia |date=31 July 1912 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}

==The Odeon Star==

In 1920, the Greater Wondergraph Company had a "palatial" new indoor cinema built on Semaphore Road, Semaphore.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213609490 |title=Palatial picture theatre. |newspaper=Port Adelaide News |volume=7 |issue=40 |location=South Australia |date=21 May 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} This would cater for the people of the Lefevre Peninsula in winter. The magnificently fitted out building was designed by prominent South Australian architect Eric McMichael{{cite web | url=https://www.facebook.com/PAHIST1/photos/this-week-marks-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-opening-of-the-semaphore-wondergrap/1593519844139347| via=Facebook| publisher= Port Adelaide Historical Society Inc.| date= 24 May 2020| title=This week marks the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Semaphore Wondergraph Theatre, now the Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema.}}{{cite web | title= Eric Habershon McMichael| website=Architects of South Australia| publisher=University of South Australia | url=https://architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au/arch_full.asp?Arch_ID=47 | access-date=6 December 2022}} and built by Messrs. Emmett Brothers. By this time the trams were running to Port Adelaide. The theatre opened on Saturday 22 May with the screening of the 1920 American silent comedy film What's Your Husband Doing?.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106770026 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph: palatial new theatre opened|newspaper=Daily Herald |volume=XI |issue=3175 |location=South Australia |date=24 May 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} In September 1920 Dan Clifford bought Wondergraph's suburban circuit, including the Wondergraph Semaphore, which cost him £15,000.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213611062 |title=Theatrical enterprise. |newspaper=Port Adelaide News |volume=7 |issue=58 |location=South Australia |date=24 September 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213611049 |title=Semaphore Wondergraph changes hand. |newspaper=Port Adelaide News |volume=7 |issue=58 |location=South Australia |date=24 September 1920 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} In 1921 the freehold was transferred to Clifford, and then in November 1923 to his company, D. Clifford Theatres Ltd.{{cite web | title=Wondergraph / Star / Odeon, Semaphore | website=CAARP: Cinema and Audience Research Project | url=https://caarp.edu.au/venue/view/29 | access-date=22 December 2022}} A vaudeville troupe known as The Dandies performed at the Wondergraph before its name change. The Semaphore Wondergraph was renamed Star Theatre in 1930, and converted to catering for talkies on 24 January 1931. In 1952 it was extensively refurbished{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47434741 |title=New Theatre |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=94 |issue=29,225 |location=South Australia |date=12 June 1952 |access-date=22 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} and reopened as the Odeon Star.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47410270 |title=Big crowd at new theatre opening |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=94 |issue=29,226 |location=South Australia |date=13 June 1952 |access-date=22 December 2022 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130279758 |title=The odd spot |newspaper=News (Adelaide) |volume=58 |issue=8,997 |location=South Australia |date=10 June 1952 |access-date=22 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} The Odeon Star closed on 13 November 1976, but after a few changes of hands and function, it was restored to its original purpose and has continued to operate as the Odeon Star since December 1991.{{cite web | title=Odeon Star Semaphore in Adelaide, AU | website=Cinema Treasures | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/21753|first= Ken|last= Roe |access-date=21 December 2022}}{{cite web | title=Contact us| website= Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas | url=http://odeonstar.com.au/contact-us/ | access-date=21 December 2022}}

=Goodwood=

The Wondergraph Theatre in Goodwood opened on 3 November 1911, and still stands two doors down from the present Capri Theatre.{{cite web | title=Capri Goodwood in Adelaide, AU | website=Cinema Treasures | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1876 |access-date=21 December 2022}}{{cite web | title=Google Maps | website=Google Maps | url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.9532555,138.5898275,3a,75y,136h,104.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ska6UydjGmsrUt9mkLNBZ0g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 |access-date=21 December 2022}}

It was acquired by the Clifford Theatre Circuit in September 1920, along with Wondergraph's other suburban cinemas. It was renamed Star Theatre{{cite web | title=Curzon Goodwood in Adelaide, AU | website=Cinema Treasures | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/35541 | access-date=16 December 2022}} from November 1920 until October/November 1942.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128310657 |title=In Your Suburb |newspaper=News (Adelaide) |volume=39 |issue=6,017 |location=South Australia |date=9 November 1942 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48888386 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LXXXV |issue=26226 |location=South Australia |date=24 October 1942 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The cinema later passed back into Wondergraph hands, resuming its old name.

On 8 October 1941,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43482189 |title=Answers To Correspondents |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LXXXVII |issue=26956 |location=South Australia |date=24 February 1945 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} the Clifford circuit opened the New Star Theatre a few doors to the north, and the old Star was sold to Ozone Theatres. The cinema was renamed Ozone Theatre when it was operated by the Waterman family, who owned Ozone Theatres Ltd (that also operated Ozone Marryatville and others).{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129164779 |title=National Pictures |newspaper=The News |volume=X |issue=1,419 |location=Adelaide |date=31 January 1928 |access-date=29 July 2020 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} It was called the Ozone until at least November 1946.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55874983 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Mail (Adelaide) |volume=35 |issue=1,801 |location=South Australia |date=30 November 1946 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131969647 |title=In Your Suburb |newspaper=News (Adelaide) |location=South Australia |date=29 December 1941 |access-date=21 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} It was again briefly operated by Clifford Theatres, but the owners and operators are unclear for a period in the 1940s and 1950s.{{cite web | title=Encyclopaedia of Australian Theatre Organs | website=Star Theatre, Goodwood | url=http://theatreorgans.com/southerncross/South%20Aust/Goodwood%20Star.htm | access-date=21 December 2022}} It was renamed the Curzon in 1955 and was leased until its closure on 20 February 1964.

=Hindley Street=

File:Civic Theatre Hindley St B-13642.jpg

The new Wondergraph picture theatre in Hindley Street, situated opposite the Theatre Royal, was built by the Greater Wondergraph Company{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article210298172 |title=The Greater Wondergraph Company. |newspaper=The Express and Telegraph |volume=XLIX |issue=14,552 |location=South Australia |date=29 February 1912 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=1 (5 o'clock.) |via=National Library of Australia}} from July 1912.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58183909 |title=Wondergraph Picture Hall. |newspaper=The Mail (Adelaide) |issue=12 |date=20 July 1912 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} Designed by Garlick & Jackman architects, the design of the building was being lauded well before construction.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58185369 |title=A big Adelaide enterprise. |newspaper=The Mail (Adelaide) |issue=2 |location=South Australia |date=11 May 1912 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} The theatre, which had a stalls entrance in Peel Street, had a seating capacity of 1,800, and was possibly the most opulent so far seen in Adelaide. It cost nearly £60,000 to build. The screen was {{cvt|32| ft}} by {{cvt|24| ft}},{{cite web | title=Wondergraph Theatre, Adelaide | website=Encyclopaedia of Australian Theatre Organs | url=http://theatreorgans.com/southerncross/south%20aust/Wondergraph.htm | access-date=22 December 2022}} and the building's facade was based on a "Temple of Dreams" design.{{efn|Probably referring to prints by artist Herbert Crowley – compare.{{cite web | title="The Temple of Dreams" print | website=Beehive Books | url=https://beehivebooks.com/shop/templeofdreams | access-date=22 December 2022}}}}{{cite web | title=State Theatre in Adelaide, AU | website=Cinema Treasures |first= Ken| last= Roe | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/35472 | access-date=22 December 2022}} The theatre housed possibly Adelaide's third theatre organ (which was in 1917 removed to Glenelg's Seaview Theatre), and could accommodate an orchestra of 60 musicians.

At the invitation-only event on the night before its official opening night on Friday 5 September 2013, "every seat was occupied by the audience, which went into raptures over the fine appointments of the theatre and the pictures which were shown". The main feature was The Crossing Policeman.{{efn|Article says it was called Crossing a Policeman, but it is evidently this one.{{IMDb title|qid=Q15054455|id=tt0398900|title=The Crossing Policeman}}}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105591723 |title=The New Wondergraph |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=4 |issue=1080 |location=South Australia |date=6 September 1913 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The theatre was variously referred to as the New Wondergraph or simply the Wondergraph, with the company known as Wondergraph Pictures. In November 2013, the management was commended for being able to show film of the Melbourne Cup less than 24 hours after the race was run in Melbourne, over {{cvt|500|mi}} away.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article210118720 |title=News of the cinema. |newspaper=The Express and Telegraph |volume=L |issue=15,066 |location=South Australia |date=8 November 1913 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The Wondergraph in Hindley Street was taken over by Union Theatres in 1929,{{cite web | title=Wondergraph Theatre - Lost Cinemas of Rundle and Hindley Streets | website=Alpaca Travel| url=https://maps.cityofadelaide.com.au/journey/69160409-60ab-11e9-96fe-067ec0c7e8f4/lost-cinemas-of-rundle-and-hindley-streets/default/journeymapfeature:d2dd6b2d-60b8-11e9-96fe-067ec0c7e8f4/info | access-date=22 December 2022}} and was extensively remodelled as the Civic Theatre (sometimes called New Civic or simply The Civic) on Good Friday, 24 March 1932, showing the American drama The Secret Call.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129324413 |title=Civic Opens |newspaper=News (Adelaide) |volume=XVIII |issue=2,709 |location=South Australia |date=24 March 1932 |access-date=23 December 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46848725 |title=Former Wondergraph Reopens As Civic |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LXXIV |issue=22920 |location=South Australia |date=26 March 1932 |access-date =23 December 2022 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}} Along with the Regent Theatre in Regent Arcade, it was the first in Adelaide to show talkies.

The Civic was demolished to make way for the State Theatre{{cite web | title=Hindley Street, Adelaide [B 4475] • Photograph| website=State Library of South Australia| format= photo + text | url= https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+4475 | access-date=20 December 2022}}{{cite web | title=Hindley Street, Adelaide [B 13652] • Photograph| website=State Library of South Australia| format= photo + text | url=https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+13642 | access-date=20 December 2022}} in 1957,{{cite web | title=Hindley Street, Adelaide [B 13984] • Photograph| website=State Library of South Australia| format= photo + text | url=https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+13984 | access-date=20 December 2022}} which included provision for CinemaScope films as well as air conditioning. The State Theatre closed in May 1977. In 2002, it was converted into a bar, nightclub, and cabaret club, known as The Weimar Room.{{cite web | title=Berlin Cabaret | website=Kate Fuller | url=http://www.katefuller.com.au/berlin-cabaret | access-date=22 December 2022}} After undergoing renovations, it reopened in May 2019 as a music and entertainment venue named Downtown. {{as of|2022}}, 27 Hindley Street is occupied by Precinct Nightclub.{{cite web | title=Home | website=Precinct Nightclub | date=6 April 2022 | url=https://precinctnightclub.com.au/ | access-date=22 December 2022}}

=York Theatre=

The Greater Wondergraph company bought the land on the corner of Rundle Street (now Rundle Mall) and Gawler Place and built the York Theatre, which opened on 5 November 1921. The building was regarded as an "architectural masterpiece" and dubbed "Adelaide's first skyscraper".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55841564 |title="1066 and All That" |newspaper=The Mail (Adelaide) |volume=25 |issue=1,285 |location=South Australia |date=9 January 1937 |access-date=27 December 2022 |page=4 (Special Film Section) |via=National Library of Australia}} The interior walls had landscapes depicting Australian scenery painted by decorator George Coulter. The York was taken over by Greater Union in January 1929, at which time the inaugural manager, Mr C. E. Webb, was still in charge (and remained so until at least 1937).

The cinema was modernised in May 1938 and started showing new releases for MGM films.{{cite web | title=York Theatre in Adelaide, AU | website=Cinema Treasures| first=Ken| last= Roe | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/35513 | access-date=24 December 2022}} It was demolished in the 1960s when Gawler Place was widened. The cinema was featured in a photographic exhibition called Now Showing... Cinema Architecture in South Australia, held at the Hawke Centre's Kerry Packer Civic Gallery in April/May 2024.{{cite web | last=Meegan | first=Genevieve | title='Now showing' – celebrating Adelaide's cinema heyday | website=InReview | date=19 April 2024 | url=https://inreview.com.au/inreview/design/2024/04/19/now-showing-celebrating-adelaides-cinema-heyday/ | access-date=28 April 2024}}

=Others=

In September 1912, the company was making plans to expand into the suburbs of Norwood and Unley, with the intention of building adjacent indoor and outdoor cinemas in each.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124827810 |title=New picture theatres. |newspaper=Daily Herald (Adelaide) |volume=3 |issue=798 |location=South Australia |date=30 September 1912 |access-date=20 December 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}