Donlands Theatre
397 Donlands Avenue,
Toronto,
ON
M4J 3S2
397 Donlands Avenue,
Toronto,
ON
M4J 3S2
No one has favorited this theater yet
Built in mid-40’s by B & F Theatres – original Oriental mural on walls of circular lobby -original Chinese symbol set in terrazzo floor – became East Indian theatre in 70’s/80’s – major renovation in late 80’s to become multi-media centre – frequented by John Candy (who may have ushered here as a boy) – now a recording studio and film studio – crazy stories of munitions depots and brothels accessed by tunnels in basement.
Contributed by
Maggie Szpakowska
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The studio that is located in this former theater is called Pie in the Sky Studios. They have a website here.
This theatre appears in the movie Youngblood. It’s seen at night, with the female lead, Cynthia Gibb, coming out of the lobby, and meeting Rob Lowe after having seen something called “Slumber Party Massacre”.
Is there any more info on the munitions and brothels accessed by tunnels? That’s great stuff.
The Donlands Theater has a For Rent sign on it (Nov 2006). Recent photos of it and other Toronto area theaters can be seen at:
http://globecontact.com/photoessay/cinemas.htm
I lived on Donmore Avenue (Donlands and Mortimer) as a young boy (1966-1973), which was a few blocks away; thus, I saw a lot of films there with my father in those years(although the only one I definitely remember seeing was a (non-cinerama) reissue of ‘How The West Was Won’).
I lived nearby there again briefly in recent years, and would always get a warm feeling walking by and thinking of my late father, who instilled the passion for cinema in me (thanks pops).
Canadian roots rock stalwarts Blue Rodeo recorded their second LP ‘Diamond Mine’ at the recording studio that was/is(?)resident there in the late ‘80s.
Lived on Plains Road in the early 70’s and this was my weekend home away from home.
Loved the occasional horror double-features.
Still very much missed.