The Somerset was an entirely different theatre at a totally different location. The Rexy was at Somerset and Lorne, while the Somerset was at Somerset and Bank. Very few people seem to remember the Rexy, which has been gone for over half a century, whereas the Somerset lasted until the year 2000. Hint: look above the signage on the building at 777 Somerset St. West, near Booth St: you can still see the outleine of where the marquee used to hang.
The second screen at the Elgin did indeed open on December 31, 1947. It was the world’s first twin-screen cinema. In response to Hugger1, the Pizza Pizza is a couple doors down the same block. The building where the Elgin Theatre used to be has a Harvey’s, Johnny Farina’s restaurant, a Second Cup and a Great Canadian Bagel.
Actually, Hugger1’s wrong. The Elmdale was a brand new building when it opened in 1947. The Columbia opened as a nickelodeon in 1914, was known as the Veteran during the 1920s and later as the Nola. More details in the book “A Theatre Near You: 150 Years of Going to the Show in Ottawa-Gatineau” (Penumbra Press, 2004).
Originally 2 screens, renovated to 5 screens in 1991.
The Somerset was an entirely different theatre at a totally different location. The Rexy was at Somerset and Lorne, while the Somerset was at Somerset and Bank. Very few people seem to remember the Rexy, which has been gone for over half a century, whereas the Somerset lasted until the year 2000. Hint: look above the signage on the building at 777 Somerset St. West, near Booth St: you can still see the outleine of where the marquee used to hang.
The second screen at the Elgin did indeed open on December 31, 1947. It was the world’s first twin-screen cinema. In response to Hugger1, the Pizza Pizza is a couple doors down the same block. The building where the Elgin Theatre used to be has a Harvey’s, Johnny Farina’s restaurant, a Second Cup and a Great Canadian Bagel.
Actually, Hugger1’s wrong. The Elmdale was a brand new building when it opened in 1947. The Columbia opened as a nickelodeon in 1914, was known as the Veteran during the 1920s and later as the Nola. More details in the book “A Theatre Near You: 150 Years of Going to the Show in Ottawa-Gatineau” (Penumbra Press, 2004).