Toronto's Local Movie Theatres of Yesteryear

Doug Taylor is a Toronto historian who was a member of the faculty of Lakeshore Teachers’ College (York University). Through books including Toronto Theatres and the Golden Age of the Silver Screen and his history blog tayloronhistory.com, he continues to explore the city’s past and document its architectural heritage. He lives in Toronto.

• ContentsPrefaceIntroductionChapter One — Theatres on Yonge StreetRio Theatre (Big Nickel)York TheatreKent Theatre (Queen’s Royal, Beverley)Capitol TheatreVictoria Theatre (Embassy, Astor, Showcase, Federal, New Yorker, Panasonic)Hollywood TheatreCircle TheatreOdeon FairlawnOdeon HylandBiltmore TheatreWillow TheatreDowntown TheatreIsland TheatreSavoy Theatre (Coronet)Chapter Two — Theatres East of Yonge Street, on Danforth AvenueNew Onaka (Iola, Regal, Ace)Allenby (Roxy, Apollo)Allen’s Danforth (Century, Central, Titania, Danforth Music Hall) Grover TheatrePalace TheatrePrince of WalesOxford TheatreOdeon Danforth (Rex)Chapter Three — Movie Theatres on Gerrard Street EastBonita Theatre (Athenium, Wellington, Gerrard, Sri Lakshmi, Projection Booth)Greenwood (Guild)Crown TheatreEastwood TheatreChapter Four — Theatres on Queen Street EastRex Theatre (Joy)La Plaza Theatre (Acropolis, Dundas, Cinema Ellis, The Opera House)Imperial (Palton, Rialto, Empire)Family TheatreTeck TheatreChapter Five — Theatres on Other Streets East of YongeLa Reta Theatre (The Pape)Blue Bell Theatre (Gay)Cameo TheatreBayview TheatreBirchcliff TheatreGolden Mile TheatreChapter Six — Theatres West of Yonge Street, on Queen Street WestPickford Theatre (Auditorium, Avenue, Variety) Rivoli Theatre (People’s)Avon Theatre (Child’s, King’s Hall, King’s Playhouse)Odeon TheatreKum-C TheatreParkdale TheatreOrpheum Theatre (Rosemary, Golden Dragon)Chapter Seven — Theatres on Dundas WestBeaver TheatreCentre Theatre (Duchess)Apollo (Crystal)La Salle Theatre (Liberty, Pagoda)Royal Theatre (Roma)Brock Theatre (Dundas Playhouse, Gem)Chapter Eight — Theatres on College and Carlton StreetsKing Theatre (Kino, Studio)Garden Theatre (Cinema Lumiere)College TheatrePlayhouse Theatre (Melody)Odeon Toronto (Odeon Carlton)Chapter Nine — Theatres on Bloor Street WestMadison (Midtown, Capri, Eden, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)Allen’s Bloor Theatre (Bloor Theatre, Lee’s Palace)Doric Theatre (La Scala)Alhambra Theatre (Baronet, Eve)Esquire Theatre (Lyndhurst)Kenwood TheatreParadise Theatre (Eve’s Paradise)Odeon Humber (Humber Cinemas)University TheatreChapter Ten — Theatres on St. Clair Avenue WestOakwood TheatreChristie Theatre St. Clair TheatreMajor St. Clair Theatre (Cinema Italia)Radio City TheatreVaughan TheatreChapter Eleven — Theatres on Eglinton AvenueAvenue TheatreEglinton TheatreNortown TheatreChapter Twelve — Theatres on Other Streets West of YongeAdelphi Theatre (Kum Bac)Lansdowne Theatre (Park, Acropolis)Hillcrest TheatreMayfair TheatreMount Dennis Theatre (Maple Leaf)Revue TheatreBrighton TheatreGrant TheatreConclusion