To say the Milton Theatre has a long and storied history is an understatement. Like many small town theaters, it has had its fair share of ups and downs, but, if these walls could talk, they’d tell quite the story!

It began in 1914, during the heyday of silent films, when J.C. Ryan opened a movie theatre in the west half of the Helgeson building. He called it the Electric Theatre. Initially, the films were accompanied by a local pianist, but soon after a player piano was purchased to provide music.

In 1918, after changing hands a number of times, C.W. Plain constructed the building that would become known as “The Star Theatre”. One of the first films shown was the World War I official movie “Under Four Flags”.

By 1931, big changes were on the horizon for the Star Theatre. Not only was the facility completely remodeled, it now housed state-of-the-art sound movie equipment. The first sound picture shown was “Parlor, Bedroom & Bath” starring Buster Keaton. Admission to the picture cost under 40 cents.

For many years after, the Milton Star Theatre was one of the most popular theaters in the area. The last movie rolled on November 3, 1974, after which the “Star” was closed. The story doesn’t end there though. Today, the curtain goes up at the Star Theatre every summer for Missoula Children’s Theatre productions.