The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.2 Issue 5

Published by the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History Newsletter : Vol. 2 No. 5 21-A 10 Ave S Cranbrook BC V1C 2M9 Telephone: (250) 489-9150 E-mail: info@basininstitute.org Web:www.basininstitute.org H is /H er S tory Cranbrook Theatres, Limited began work on the new Star Theatre building in 1921. It was located in the middle of the block on Norbury Avenue, across the street from City Hall. It quickly became a landmark of the downtown area, with many businesses describing their location in relation to the Star. “Hemstitching and picot edging, Singer Sewing Machine Store, Norbury Ave., next to Star Theatre. New and second-hand machines bought and sold” (from Cranbrook Courier, Oct. 16, 1930) A.C. Blaine, who managed the Star in its heyday, was serious about running a quality movie house. He regularly went off to places like Calgary to attend conferences of motion picture house managers, thereby keeping abreast of the rapidly changing world of cinema. It worked, as the following from F.R. Richardson, world authority on sound reproduction and projection, attests to. Visiting Cranbrook in August, 1930, Mr. Richardson wrote of his experience in the September issue of Exhibitors Herald-World. “At Cranbrook we paused for the night. It boasts one small theatre, but with results both on the screen and through the horns which are not at all negligible. My compliments to Manager A.C. Blaine and Projectionists W.A. Burton and J.A. Ward…. The sound was clear and very well regulated as to volume. The picture was small, though plenty large enough for the size of the auditorium, and illuminated pretty close to perfectly. “I might add, as an afterthought, that the Star theatre equipment is Wide sound and The Star Theatre - In A Class of It’s Own!! Ask anyone involved with history at the local or regional level what the best part of their work is. Without exception the answer will be “the people.” Singly and in groups, people are the resource and the reward. The family photos, letters and stories shared in the belief that the future can learn from the past are some of the building blocks for a regional identity and culture. In every residence in the Columbia Basin there exists the potential to further develop our understanding of who we are and of who we are becoming. Gary Merkel, several years ago, coined the term “Basin culture” and it is a concept that has taken on a life of its own. As we develop more access to the resources that demonstrate how the Ktunaxa Nation used this landscape, how the mining and transportation pressures first meshed, and how the succeeding generations interacted – we begin to obtain a clearer picture of how our present growth affects our relationship with the Columbia Basin. History is not about dates, or at least it is not only about dates. It is a lot about story. The Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History is interested in your story. Please contact us and let us hear it. We know both the present and future residents of our region will be glad that you did. 0019.0039 The Star Theatre on Norbury Avenue in Crabrook around 1926. At the time of this photo a Buck Jones movie was being advertised. Notice the single story “Max’s Place” to the right. Continued on page 2