Box 02 · The story behind the box

The Savoy Theater

Do you remember the Saturday queues spilling into the Square?

The queue, the matinee and the familiar north-east corner of Cathedral Square.

See the Savoy photographs Read the history See it on the map
Shop the Collector’s Box Includes the Savoy box · coming soon
The Savoy Theater collectible box design

The verified story

One address. More than one chapter.

The Savoy story began long before the Savoy name. Opened as the Liberty in 1917, the theatre became Christchurch's first to screen a talkie in 1929. A 1953 renovation brought the Savoy name, and a 1977 conversion created Savoy One and Savoy Two. The official history records the changes; Christchurch remembers the queue, the Saturday matinee and who was standing beside them.

1917–1953
Liberty Theatre

A large purpose-built picture theatre designed by Sidney and Alfred Luttrell.

1953–1977
Savoy Theater

Renovation brought a new screen, altered facade, expanded seating and the Savoy name.

1977–1993
Savoy Centre

The stalls became Savoy One and the former dress circle became Savoy Two.

Through the years

The official record.

This timeline draws on the Canterbury Stories history as its editorial spine. Dates and names are kept separate from the shorter era labels printed on the collectible box.

1917

The Liberty opens

The Liberty opens on 8 September. Its first programme includes Clover's Rebellion and Charlie Chaplin's The Rink.

1929

Christchurch hears the talkies

On 10 June, the Liberty becomes the first Christchurch theatre to screen a talkie, showing Mother Knows Best.

1953

The Savoy name arrives

A major renovation installs a new screen, alters the facade and relaunches the theatre as the Savoy.

1977

Savoy One and Savoy Two

The auditorium is divided into two cinemas and the building becomes the Savoy Centre.

1993–1997

Closure and demolition

The cinemas close in September 1993. Demolition begins in December 1996 and continues into January 1997.

This cinema was one chapter in a much larger Christchurch story. Place it in the wider timeline

Inside the archive

Photographs from the Christchurch Star / Allied Media collection, via Christchurch City Libraries (Canterbury Stories), with their catalogue IDs.

Children and parents queue outside the Savoy in Cathedral Square
Children and parents queue outside the Savoy during the May 1979 school holidays. Christchurch Star / Allied Media, via Christchurch City Libraries (Canterbury Stories) · ccl-cs-1630 Open the archive record ↗
The Savoy Centre frontage in Cathedral Square
The Savoy Centre frontage, with Savoy One and Savoy Two above the shops. Christchurch Star / Allied Media, via Christchurch City Libraries (Canterbury Stories) · ccl-cs-3814
The former Savoy Cinema in Cathedral Square during demolition, 1997
The former Savoy Cinema during demolition, 1997. Christchurch Star / Allied Media, via Christchurch City Libraries (Canterbury Stories) · ccl-cs-4688 Open the archive record ↗
The north-east corner of Cathedral Square with the Savoy frontage
The north-east corner of Cathedral Square, where the Savoy stood beside Warner's Hotel. Christchurch Star / Allied Media, via Christchurch City Libraries (Canterbury Stories) · ccl-cs-4686

Back on the bill

The films we remember.

Opening nights, familiar titles and the films linked to Savoy.

Explore the films

What people remember

The history books cannot tell this part.

The album gathered for this collection shows the queues, the square, the 1979 Regent fire and the last years of the cinemas: archive photographs, each with its source credit.

See the Savoy photographs →

Visual memories

Queues, the square and the last years.

Open the album

Help us remember

What detail can only you add?

  1. Who did you meet in the queue?
  2. Do you remember Savoy One, Savoy Two — or the earlier Liberty?
  3. Which film made the Savoy feel most alive?

From memory to keepsake

The Savoy Theater is one of four stories in the collection.

The Savoy box of Intermission Treats — orange coated chocolate — will be available exclusively from Deluxe Cinemas: at our box office at The Tannery or through our official online store, alongside the other three cinema keepsakes.

See the Collector’s Box See the Savoy photographs Deluxe directions ↗