State Theatre

Located north across the water from Auckland in the Devonport district, and opposite the still standing (and operating) Victoria Theatre (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures). The State Theatre was opened by the Amalgamated Theatres chain on 23rd November 1934 with Tom Walls in “A Cup of Kindness”. It was designed in an Art Deco style by architectural firm S.S. Alleman. Seating was provided for 650 in a stadium style with a raised stepped section at the rear instead of the usual overhanging balcony. With business booming in 1958, alterations were made and a 230-seat circle was added. Unfortunately, Television arrived in New Zealand in 1960, and the cinema began to loose business. It was closed in April 1970.

It was sold to the Jehovah’s Witnesses group. It was demolished in 1995 and a block of flats has been built on the site.

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