The Top 10 "Lost" Toronto Movie Theatres
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- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2024
- Old Toronto Series & Bosley Real Estate present: The Top 10 "Lost" Movie Theatres in Toronto history.
www.oldtorontoseries.com
www.bosleyrealestate.com
Hosted/Researched/Filmed by: Morgan Cameron Ross
/ morgancameronross
I worked at the Imperial Theatre in the 70's and I can confirm that we had melted butter on popcorn long before the Eaton Centre even existed. Your historian is mistaken.
Ontario Place Cinesphere was worth a mention. it was very cool to see movies like Pink Floyd The Wall in that theatre
The Cinesphere, thankfully, is still there and playing films.
@@OldTorontoSeries oh I'm sorry, didn't realize as I'm on the east coast now for many years and figured it was closed with the rest of Ontario Place. last time I was in Toronto I visited the Medieval Festival at the CNE grounds and was devastated to see that Exhibition Stadium was demolished. oh the memories of events there!
They've kept up the Cinesphere and have added a really nice park there - with a couple miles of lakefront walkway. Make sure to check it out again sometime!
Been there
You left out the Asian theatres that highlighted the 1980s - 1990s in Toronto: Far East Theatre, Golden Harvest Theatre, and Riverdale Cinema. Located near Spadina/Dundas, it showed mainstream HK films during primetime, and adult films at the midnight showing. Golden Harvest was affiliated with the HK film co., and outlasted Far East for several years to close, and remade into a RBC branch location. Riverdale (Broadview, south of Gerrard,) played films from Shaw brothers/mainland China, whilst playing a mix of Bollywood flicks until it closed to become a convenience store. Theatre facades of GH, and Riverdale can still be visually made out.
While not a theater, I'm going to mention the Planetarium at the R.O.M. I really liked going to see Planets, Stars and Galaxies and wish I'd seen the Pink Floyd laser show when I had the chance.
Uptown Theatre on Yonge Street was my favourite. It had the best acoustics, and I loved watching movies in the main theatre.
Imperial Six. Seen a lot of movies there back in the day.
Exactly!
I have a memory, as a kid (about 10 yo), walking in front of the Imperial Six, when a long stretch of Yonge Street was a pedestrian "mall" (closed to cars).
Later on (in my teens), I saw quite a few movies there.
Born in 1949, it almost didn't matter what was playing, by 1956 or so, most Saturday afternoons, I would go to the double feature at the Scarborough Theatre, on the north side of Kingston Road between Lawlor Avenue and Scarborough Road in The Beach. I remember being terrified at night after seeing "The House on the Haunted Hill" in 1959. My father took my sister and me to a few movies at night, because children had to accompanied by an adult. I think we saw "I was a Teenage Werewolf" with him. As well, I recall seeing "The Great Escape" there in 1963, and my first movie date was taking EC to see "A Hard Day's Night" in 1964. It stopped showing movies in 1968 and became a pool hall, and it is now a real estate office.
Each Toronto neighbourhood had its own theatre: the Beach in The Beach; the Birchcliff near Warden and Kingston Road; the Palace and the Odeon Danforth at Pape; the Prince of Wales at Danforth and Woodbine; the Donlands on Donlands; the Century near Broadview...now all gone, another age.
The York, just east of Yonge on Eglinton. Kinda like the Uptown, the main auditorium upstairs was the place to be. Watched Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet there over and over. Those really were the good old days.
Yes, the York! It had a very elegant entryway with stanchions and dramatic draperies. Unique inside and out. What were the theatres across the street called?
The old Carlton theatre had an organ that would come out of the stage floor while the organist was playing. I think that organ went to the Old Organ Grinder restaurant down on The Esplanade.
I really miss the University - at the time of it's destruction, people didn't see much in its mid-century Moderne architecture, but now it's all the retro rage. Amazed to know about the Odeon, wrecked before I started going to movies. Sad that city fathers had no sense of preserving great buildings.
When the University & Uptown closed, I knew that was the end for the big event movie experience downtown - prime real estate for condos only now.
Two Favourite memories at the University: 1979 - Apocalypse Now, 1982 - Empire Strikes Back
The closing of the Uptown was definitely the darkest day in the history of Toronto.😢
The Westwood theatre and the Kingsway theatre
That was a great little theater if you could remember how to drive in and out of it, situated withing the spaghetti roads of 6-points.
during weekdays the Westwood streamed Maple Leaf away games $3 per seat.
I saw James Bond's "Goldfinger" at Odeon Carlton Theatre in 1964-65. !
A great "Top 10" list, but only scratches the surface. Every neighbourhood had one or two theaters that packed all the seats for an afternoon matinee or each evening, featuring two movies plus a documentary and cartoons throughout each performance. As a kid in the 60's, I had a choice of five or six theaters within walking distance, or short bus ride. Some buildings still stand, but very few are still recognizable for what they once were. Don't forget the many drive-in theaters that dotted the perimeter of the city before becoming consumed by sprawling development.
Very nicely done ✔ would like to mention the Imperial Six Theatre on Yonge Street across from the Eaton Centre, saw Star Wars there in grade 5.
Thanks!
I grew up in Swansea and remember going to Runnymede Theatre! Even though it was a Chapters bookstore at the time, it still looked otherworldly to little kid me!! I absolutely loved going there!
With all it's elegance and second floor balcony, the Runnymede still just an average theater for it's time. Just down the street, just west of Jane was the Humber Theater and few seem to remember The State Theater, on Bloor, just steps west of Dundas Street.
While not a theatre and I miss several on this list, I was taken back while watching this to memories of the old 400 Drive in!
The Humber Theatre on Bloor St. at Jane St. and, The Runnymede Theatre, also on Bloor St. at Runnymede. These two were the closest to me. I'm glad I was able to take my kids to The Humber Theatre, this one being the first theatre I was ever in.
I loved the Uptown theatre, I saw Star Wars there.
Sorry to ramble on like "back in the day guy", but back in the day...The ritual of going to the Uptown 1 involved charging for the front row, tossing your jacket up on the stage, and propping your feet on it's edge for the perfect viewing angle. Magically no bad movies played in the Uptown 1, though I'm sure we at through many.
Great stuff! Two that come to mind - one keeping to the downtown core - is the Sheraton Theatres in the basement of the Sheridan Hotel on Queen (closed in '95), and the Nortown at Eglilnton and Bathurst. This has a soft spot in my heart as the first real paying job I had was there, just before it closed in '74.
Really enjoyed this. I attended many Festival of Festival screenings at both the Uptown and University theatres (Festival of Festivals was the original name for TIFF) Also about Mary Pickford.... After she became a star in the US she co-founded Pickford-Fairbanks Studios and United Artists, and was one of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I really wish the Odeon on Carlton was still there.
Thanks! Yup - lots of great things about Pickford. I plan on doing a video about her sometime upcoming.
Cinecity at Yonge and Charles. A former post office formed into a small venue for mostly "art films". Miss it, but building still there, at least.
I used to go to the Parkdale theatre when I was a kid. I was beautiful inside and it looked like a palace.
Oh man I remember the uptown. It had the most beautiful interior. Cineplex Eaton Centre was the SPOT!! I remember going there to see space jam
I spent every Saturday afternoon at the Parkdale theatre for years. Also, on Roncesvalles was the Brighton theatre, which had a double bill for 15 cents.
so many memories, Im a movie lover born 1937 - closest movie theatre was the Crown, on Gerrard near Broadview, saw the movie the Quiet man there along with going every Sat. for about 5 cents and taking french fries in under coat. the manager Mr. Fink, used to try and see who was doing this, I never got caught. many visits with my mother to the Casino Theatre on Queen Street, saw many hoofers and singers, Mel Torme, dancers, etc. sHEAS ON bAY, i BELIEVE WAS THE LAST SHOWING of Elvis, live... I just loved to hear the Organ and watch it coming up at the shows. back to the Crown, every Sat. there was a live show, or games between the double movies, a YoYo contest, Bubble Gum blowing contest and many politicians who used this spot as a forerunner of the political run; also the Laplaza theatre on the south side of Queen St., E of Broadview and the Palace on Danforth. all were great..sure miss them...hope this also brings some memories to the nextperson who reads this. thank you
oh my god the theater bumpers between numbers are things I haven't seen in so long.
I remember The LaSale theatre on Dundas, just west of Spadina on the north side. Right across the street from my grandmothers house. And steps from the Victory on the NE corner of Dundas & Spadina. I have a black and white photo of my grandmother with the theatre in the background, marque showing The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Must have been 1948. Saw many movies there with my cousin.
Growing up in the East End of Toronto Pape and Danforth there was the Odeon theatre and then the Palace Theater which were both pretty cool buildings you should look into that
And north on Pape a mile or so was the Cameo. You could find me there every Saturday afternoon.
Out in Scarborough. The Cedarbrae 6, the Northeast and Northwest (Ok it's North York but barely) Drive Ins.
I went to countless first run movies at the DOWNTOWN Theater at Yonge and Dundas, Now it is paver over with a few benches for drunks and bird watchers.
- The Eglinton
- The York
- The Capitol
- The Hyland
- The Hollywood
- The Plaza
- The Imperial Six
- The Runnymede
- The Cumberland
- The Backstage (behind The Uptown)
- The Odeon (the one at Bloor and Jane)
Great spots!
@@OldTorontoSeries It's too bad they didn't live. But then again, who does?
@@plissken2156 A perfect reference!!! ;-)
Love the series brother , keep up the great work!
8:28 wow I remember that clip. My Dad was in the multi-image industry here in Toronto. That clip is huge memory. My Dad wrote the menu for the Hot Stove Lounge (big story). I miss the Hyland and the Hollywood. Those are TTC stories.
The power of nostalgia!
I saw Titanic and a few other late 90s movies at the Uptown. Eaton Centre Cine Plex had really small screens. I miss those places! The multi level parking garage above the Eaton Centre theater had a nice view of Yonge/Dundas area.
I worked the Odeon Coronet 1966 to 1968! Loved it!
Great video and sweet seg-ways with the original theatre chain intros, a very welcome touch. Any info on the Varsity theatre, the theatres at the Town and Country Mall on Steeles or the theatres at the north-west corner of Finch and Dufferin (a courthouse for some time)? How about a GTA Drive-in theatre video, there were many up into the 80s.
Huge fan of the Wurlitzer from Sheas , now at Casaloma. Phenomenal sound, if you never experienced the sound of the theatre organ i highly recommend checking out a concert one day , when there are concerts again !
I'm surprised that the Imperial 6 never made your list. It was my theatre as a teen in the 70's.
The Runnymede theater was my go to, is there any background video on it?
Century, Prince of Wales and Danforth Odeon on Danforth (Woodbine, Pape and Broadview)
The Allenby/Roxy at Greenwood.
Glendale theatre on Avenue Rd . Curved screen Cinerama. They played 2001 A Space Odyssey for 2 years.
The Scarboro theater on Kingston Rd. a few blocks west of Victoria Pk. Blvd. was one of my to go cinemas when I was a kid. There I saw Frankenstein and Dracula for the first time. It later became a pool hall and today I have no idea what's there. Also the other was the Fox theater on Queen St. East in the 'Beaches'. Perhaps that one still exists. I first saw Peter Sellers in 'A Shot in the Dark' there. In my teens they used to have all night for a dollar film festivals with some very strange films.
Westwood theater at Kipling in Etobicoke that was a Famous Players.
Sherway Cinemas when the Cineplex was across the street from Sherway Gardens.
The Cineplex that used to be inside Woodbine Centre when the Arcade was amazing as well before Rainbow Cimemas and now Imagine.
The Famous Players that used to be inside Square One.
The Famous Players at the Sussex Centre in Mississauga.
The Central Parkway 4 in Mississauga.
The Cineplex that used to be inside South Common Mall in Mississauga.
The Cineplex that used to be inside Erin Mills Town Centre.
Central Parkway 4 = CineStarz
@@arricammarques1955 yeah I know but it closed for awhile and it's not the same as back in the day. Used to only be a $1.50 to watch a movie and if you had a membership it was 99 cents. Those days were fun compared to now. Plus they used to have the Flea Market in the mall on Sundays.
Oh ya westwood I went to karate right next door in the 80s/90s .. the also filmed resident evil 2 there right before they tore it down
I worked all through highschool at Cedarbrae 6 and then 8... I can still hear the 'Doorman' Mr. Loader "Cinema One; to your right and down the stairs".
Forgot to mention SEVERAL ITEMS PLEASE .... the IMPERIAL THEATRE on Yonge Street is NO LONGER A THEATRE ALBEIT THE BUILDING IS STILL THERE BUT **NOT** AS A MOVIE THEATRE (which was its original intention when it was built) ... so technically the MOVIE theatre aspect is also GONE. I worked there in 1968 when it was still in its original state ... which was BEFORE they hacked it up into the ugly Imperial 6 theatres afterwards, and then later became the Canon and then the Pantages as it took on inside renovations that SOMEWHAT restored a likeness of what it used to look like ... but still was never the same, as then it was NOT a movie theatre, but rather a stage for LIVE performances. It had 70mm movie screens and a very BEAUTIFUL classic inside appearance with ornate circular HEAVY SET banisters and beautiful seating. My brother also worked at the Odeon Carlton as an usher back in the late 1960's too. ***Forgot to mention, however, about the DINING room (2nd floor) that was also inside the Odeon Carlton Theatre. And lastly, you forgot about the Glendale Theatre, 1661 Avenue Road, which was where I first saw the movie 2001 Space Odyssey (released in 1968) and was AMAZING and different as it was the ONLY THEATRE that had an ARCHED screen where you felt like you were actually INSIDE the movie itself as the screen engulfed you due to the sides of it arching around you. The Glendale was demolished in 1975. There were MANY other theatres that are long gone that were on Yonge Street, but they were rather junky in quality of films shown there, which will remain nameless. THEN THERE WAS THE CREST THEATRE on Mount Pleasant Road that my Mom and I went to see MANY old black and white films of the 30s. They closed their doors back in 1966. I'm sure there may be more, but I think this info should be useful if you'd like to add them to any future Toronto Archival Theatre information videos. .... Thanks for your attention.
I still miss the Imperial Six on Yonge Street - such an important cinema in my youth!
Love this video. Just find the quoted claim hard to believe that 1979 at the Eaton’s Cineplex was the first time Toronto had melted butter on its popcorn. That cannot be true.
Seemed a suspicious fact as well.. but, at minimum, the company still claims the title.
Not true, melted butter used at Uptown ,
Worked there 1977.
I distinctly remember having melted butter on my popcorn at the Loew's Uptown during an all night Vincent Price festival in September of 1969. Went through several buckets and amassed a near mountain of discarded paper napkins. I think the Cineplex claim was just more smoke and mirrors from Garth Drabinsky.
I worked at the Odeon Humber Theatre, 1968-71. We melted butter for the popcorn I made.
Great, great video / documentary!!!
I remember those "advertisements" (at 8:27) that preceded the "coming attractions"
Even as a kid, I knew that they were cheesy and creepy!! LOL
I remember so much of those old theatres!
When I was 16, I sold Chipwiches (remember those...?) from a cart, in the summer
When Star Wars (the original) was released, I'd park myself to serve all of the patrons who were waiting in line to go in to the next screening
The line would snake around beside the theatre, along the laneway that led back to the parking lot behind the theater (where Yorkville's "big rock" now stands)
The next-door building had some kind of a fruit drink store ("The Julip", or something like that...???)
All good times!!
Thank you, Morgan Cameron Ross!! What a great series!!
And thank you Bosley Real Estate!!
Thanks!
I had forgotten about the Uptown Theatre which was a nice reminder. The one I felt was missing from your list was The Imperial Six on Yonge St. south of Dundas (I think). I spent many nights there watching such movies as "Airplane" (it's first 2 nights in theatres btw) and "Porky's" (same as Airplane). I was in my teens at the time so it brings back great memories.
The other memory this video brought back was seeing "Star Wars" at The University Theatre, a very exciting night too.
I knew the projectionist at the Bijou (Morningside & Lawrence). That would have been mid ‘70s. I remember when Stars Wars was playing there. Watched it many times from the booth.
Uptown Theatre was the best! Beautiful, roomy and great sound. Also frequented the Imperial 6, the gorgeous Art Deco style Eglinton Theatre and not beautiful, but conveniently located, Varsity in the Manulife Centre. The Palace at Danforth and Pape was close to home and I remember the ornate ceiling. As a teenager, going to the Roxy with its mildew and burnt weed scented midnight showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show (@ 99 cents!), now a Tim Hortons.
Before becoming a multi-plex, the Uptown Theater had a second theater that you entered from the rear called "The Backstage".
@@chrisgraham2904 Exactly! Customers would enter via Balmuto Street.
You missed the Willow Theatre.
Love your channel and all this amazing Toronto History. 2 other theaters: The Westwood Theatre in the west end (never liked that one but had been there a couple of times) and my beloved Runnymede Theatre in Bloor West Village which was turned into a Chapters store and is now a Shoppers Drug Mart. Saw a lot of movies there
The Runnymede Theatre! 1927 - 1999!
The Eglinton theatre that was close to Bathurst was pretty great. It had two floors with a huge balcony and everything was a deep red velvet. I saw Fantasia to Crocodile Dundee there. Now that's a knife.🐱❤🇨🇦
There used to be a theatre at Eglinton and Dunfield, near Eglinton and Yonge. I think it was called York theatre. Also on Mt. Pleasant rd there are 2 theatres no longer in use, but still stands
Wonderful video, thanks!
❤️
Sooo good 👏
Thank you!!
WOW!!!! I love this video!!! I litterally went back in time watching it! The uptown...saw dozens of movies there, what an awesome building at one time too bad it fell apart...Cineplex Eaton Centre same....I saw one or 2 movies at the University....i was a young kid then..you missed one...The Famous Players one on Yonge St west side just across the from EC...i saw StarWars there 12 times when it came out! LOL
I haven't heard much in a while about Scotiabank Theatre just north of the TIFF Lightbox being turned into a condo but it would be sad to lose that
I'd guess everyone who lived in Toronto in the past had their favourite movie houses. I was partial to The New Yorker (Yonge Street?) and the Towne Cinema on Bloor. Lived in The Annex, so I mainly stayed downtown. My kitschy favourite would have to be The Rio (Yonge & Gerrard). Triple bills from morning to midnight, although in my mind's eye I seem to 'remember' a bill of FIVE continuous movies. Great place to get over a hangover.
An Old Hamilton Series would be also interesting
It was always known as the 'Odeon Carlton'. Never heard it referred to as simply 'The Odeon' or 'The Carlton Odeon'. Remember, of course, there were also the Odeon Danforth, Odeon Humber and a few others during the 60's and 70's. I can't count the number of films I saw there. Even became friends with the manager who would save posters and lobby cards for me.
A family friend of mine had fond memories of going to the Carlton Odeon theatre as a teenager in the 1960’s, in 1964 she saw The Beatles first movie A Hard Day’s Night at that theatre along with a bunch of other Beatles fans and the minute they came on the screen everyone in the theatre started screaming
Was it the Uptown that played old/International movies on weekends in the early 70s?
Not really old but the Cinemas in the Skyline Hotel on Dixon Road. Modern but large and a great place to see movies.
Had forgotten about that one. Catch a movie at the Skyline, then hit the bar at "Diamond Lil's". Not to be forgotten, was the "North-West Drive-in Theater" on the north-west side of Dixon & Hwy 427, which was just steps from the Skyline.
The Vaughan Theatre at St. Clair & Vaughan Strs. & The Radio City Theatre on Bathurst St. I think. My sister Kath & I spent every Saturday matinee at either one when we were 9 or 10 yrs old...Mostly the Vaughan -
Geepers! We must have known each other! I lived at the NW corner of Kenwood and Louise.
I was always there in line at the Vaughan with you, I guess at the matinee and with my brother! Hi Claire!
Good memories of The Hyland on St Clair, and The Eglinton. Every theatre was such a unique space, and had its own vibe, can still match up the movie memory to where I saw it. Theatres are obviously technically better today, but so generic😞
Do you remember the outdoor line-up's to wait to get into the Hyland...?
Back then, outdoor line-up's (even in the slushy, cold winters!) were common. At The Hyland, the line would wrap around the adjacent lane (now the Wally Crowder lane) toward the parking lot, in the back.
It's funny...
Back in those days, movie patrons loved movies, and we would strike-up conversations with the other patrons to talk about movies, as we all waited to be let in, to watch a movie.
I love Toronto!
What about the Eglinton Theatre? An Art Deco building on Eglinton Ave west of Avenue Rd. Great viewing experience with a great sound system. Closed in 2001 and is currently an event venue.
My mum and her brothers all talk about the Gay theatre on Parliament street near Dundas. They grew up in Regent Park so of course they spent A LOT of time there.
That's where my wife and her sister always went.
Famous Players that used to be on Yonge south of Bloor !
What about the Willow theatre on Yonge just north of Sheppard Ave.
well it may not fit in the category- but id like to give some love to 1000 Finch W- a big mirrored office building that had a miniplex of (i believe) 3 screens in it - i saw star wars there as a kid - and went back 3 more times to see it again .... ok im done boring everyone 😄
Plenty of great theatres now gone!
Anybody who remembers that theatre would also HAVE to remember the Golden Griddle right there, right...???
OTHER MOVIE THEATRES: THE STATE-THE RUNNYMEDE-THE ESQUIRE-THE ODEON HUMBER-THE MAYFAIR-THE LANSDOWNE-THE COLLEGE-THE ACADEMY-THE BEAVER-THE ALHAMBRA-THE REVUE-THE KUM-C-THE WEST END
Great video, you left out The Revue cinema its still there. And The Kingsway theater still there too
Top 10 downtown 80’s bars would be a good one.
The Eglinton. The Tivoli. The Glendale all had wonderful huge curved screens (Cinerama and Toddao) Now all gone. "The Horror. the Horror of it all"
The Alhambra and the Midtown. Both near bloor and bathurst area. I grew up there in the 60's. WaltDisney movies at the Alhambra ( ie. In Search of Castaways, and 101 Dalmations), and the Midtown ( A Hard Day's Night)
And the Metro always featured horror movies and Monster movies. ( ie. Munster Go Home, and Godzilla movies)
The metro eventually became a porn theatre.
Wow , how far society has matured ....lol)
Please dont be offended but i feel like some have been forgotton...altho the uptown , the parkdale , allens bloor are cool....some better choices are obvious for the others, ok maybe carlton too. But some of the balcony theatres further down younge.
The pentages for one, and .... the one that became a youth homeless centre now called the evergreen was once as i knew it called the Rio. And its last few years was a refuge for people who had nowhere to go...7 films , 5, bucks.. at young and gerrard. Just feel like it should be mentioned. Not for it granduer not for its space , but for its empathy and kindness
The York theatre on Eglinton just east of Yonge was my favourite. Also there was a theatre under Bloor and Yonge subway but I can't remember the name of it. One large theatre and one medium theatre. Anyone know this theatre's name?
It was Plaza 1 & 2, just found out.
Can find old pictures of Palmerston Ave and college st the gates that where there. Not sure when it was first put in, and taken out. Thx
Checkout this site to find things: oldto.sidewalklabs.com/
@@OldTorontoSeries Ok. Thanks
The capital and the Biltmore on lakeshore rd in New toronto the rex in mimico
The picture you show of the interior of Lowes uptown is not correct. That is a picture of the Elgin Theatre at Yonge and Qween
Fairlawn Theatre - north Toronto
How about the royal in long branch?
I have no idea why, if for no other reason than it was such a forgettable movie, but I do remember seeing "DC Cab" at the Eaton's Cineplex in the mid-eighties.
What ever happened to the theatres in the Hudson's Bay Center?
The Varsity Cinemas are still operating in the Manulife Centre at Yonge and Bloor.
You forgot the Metro on Bloor 😉 lol
Interesting spot. Now a rockclimbing gym. Different clientele.
"anime". We believe you.
@@OldTorontoSeriesindeed
@@OldTorontoSeries we ?
What about the legendary Roxy on Danforth?
Nortown and the Eglington
Are you kidding.?
THE IMPERIAL 6IXX!!
What about the Eglinton?
Gay theater, Parliament Street, east side, a bit south of Dundas street. Regent Park.
Did you say that radio and TV were not available to most people in the twentieth century? You must have meant the 1920s, right?
Most families didn't get tvs until the 1950s and even 60s. Radios were earlier, but still quite expensive for most people till the 30s. By mid 30s only half of people in Canada had radios.
Dad told me his family built the Uptown theater...masonry
The uptown obviously .......Duh
I was waiting for the Tivoli with it's steep seating giving everyone a great view. It also featured Todd-AO a post production treatment to enhance the sound