University Theatre

I have never been a real fan of indoor theatres, but the University was the exception. It featured a huge screen that I remember seeing "Raiders of the Lost Ark" on, and blew me away. This theatre was the pinnacle of showmanship, unlike the chintzy multiplex big box theatres of today. When you saw a movie at the University, it was an experience, not like just watching TV, like in the new theatres.

In a strange bit of restoration, the remaining crumbling facade (a designated historic landmark) was pulled down and re-built in the same spot . It now fronts a huge Pottery Barn shop attached to other new retail development. Nice to see this facade restored but unfortunate that the theatre is gone. It was much loved by the public as THE place to see a big film for many years. Beautiful photos of the theatre's stunning interiors can be viewed at:

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/theatres/theatres/university_toronto.htm

With the nearby Uptown also slated for demolition and the Eglinton already gone, Toronto is left without a notable first run single screen venue.

Unquestionably one of the most distinctive theatres erected since the war, The University was opened March 25th, 1949, in one of Toronto's most elite shopping districts. The architect of the University Theatre was Eric W. Hounsom, A.G. Facey, Associate.
Passersby were immediately attracted by the striking serpentine curved front, which serves as a setting for the giant picture window rising three stories in height. Framed by black granite and silhouetted by neon set in a recess, the window has two "scalloped" marquees on either side in place of the continuous type. The exterior of the building is faced with Indiana limestone, and blocks of verde antique marble are set in below the marquees. All the metal trim is of stainless steel. An electric sign over the entrance rises to a height of 60 feet. Plate glass doors lead into the lobby, which along with the other circulating areas, has been tastefully decorated and furnished in a luxurious manner. The interior west wall adjacent to the picture window has been covered by a huge mirror to create the illusion of a semicircular well by reflection. The color scheme when it opened was throughout the house is red, French gray and beige.

This was one of Toronto's premier Roadshow/Reserved seat houses in the 50's and 60's. Among the big films that played here were
Ben-Hur
King of Kings
Mutiny on the Bounty
Cleopatra
Fall of the Roman Empire
My Fair Lady
Agony and the Ecstasy
Doctor Zhivago
Hawaii
Thouroughly Modern Millie
Camelot
Star!
Sweet Charity
Paint Your Wagon
Patton
After roadshows went out of style, the University continued to present big releases in 70MM right up to it's closing in 1986. A great loss to the movie going public of Toronto.

The University was also Toronto's only cinema equipped to project 3-strip Cinerama films on a genuine, louvered Cinerama screen curved in a 146 degree arc.

Of the above list of films that screened at the University, all were presented in 70mm with the exception of: Hawaii, Thoroughly Modern Millie and, oddly enough, Patton.

It's too bad that Famous Players didn't get to build the University 9 that was proposed at the site of this wonderful theatre. It was to be part of a large condo complex that was built on the corner of Bloor & Belair but for some reason the developer backed out on the theatre part. If this had been built then there would still be a movie going presence on that part of Bloor st which is sorely lacking today considering the Bloor, Yonge, Bay, Avenue area was once the movie going centre of Toronto with the Cumberland, University, Varsity, Uptown, Plaza, Towne and New Yorker/Showcase. All that's left is the Varsity 12 and the Cumberland 4. And Famous Players is no more.

I spent a day last November (2006) driving around the Toronto area doing a photo essay on old cinemas. I saw Apocalypse Now at the University Theatre as a special pre-premiere release. There is a photo of the University Theatre from my visit, along with some other Toronto area cinemas at:
http://globecontact.com/photoessay/cinemas.htm

Check out a tribute I wrote to the University over at 32 Elvis Movies!

Only the facade of the University remained for quite a few years. The first time I noticed it on a trip to Toronto I was surprised to look through the lobby doors and see daylight and rubble. This remained the case for several years until the retail store was built. At least the building facade and the marquee shape were retained in the transformation.

Here are some pictures of the University Theatre from the Ontario Archives:
http://ao.minisisinc.com/Webimages/I0012606.jpg
http://ao.minisisinc.com/Webimages/I0012607.jpg
http://ao.minisisinc.com/Webimages/I0012608.jpg
http://ao.minisisinc.com/Webimages/I0012609.jpg
http://ao.minisisinc.com/Webimages/I0012610.jpg

A great shot of the University theatre lobby (inside looking out onto Bloor St.)
http://www.toronto.ca/archives/images/s1343_fl0128_it0002_1000.jpg

THIS HOUSE LOOKED TO NICE TO BE SHOWING"ADULT FILMS"

LOL, the University was one of the most prestigious movie theatres ever in Toronto. Adult Entertainment in those days was Ontario's version of today's PG 13......we had 3 classification of films back then, General, Adult Entertainment and Restricted: To persons 18 and over. It looks like Forever Amber is on the marquee and that certainly wasn't ADULT films in that sense.

Tim Thanks for the info.I did not mean any harm! I used to work for LOEWS THEATERS in the U.S.'s WE closed one house that started showing porno and the new owner did not take down the LOEWS SIGNS, it looked as if we were doing it,hope you have a good day!

No harm done. I think it's funny....the University as an ADULT house....now THAT would have been something! LOL

Adults at a University that would be something NEW!Thanks Tim E.

"Strange Brew" (1983) featured the University Theatre quite prominently hosting the premiere of Bob & Doug's "Mutants of 2051 A.D."

http://torontoist.com/2008/04/reel_toronto_st_1.php