Cinema Imperial

1432 Rue de Bleury,
Montreal, QC H3A 2J1

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Related Websites

Cinema Imperial, Montreal (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Consolidated Theatres, Famous Players, RKO, United Theatres

Architects: Albert E. Westover

Functions: Concerts, Movies, Special Events

Styles: Italian Renaissance

Previous Names: Imperial Theatre, Cine Centre I & II, Cinema X

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 514.848.7187

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Cinema Imperial

The Imperial Theatre opened on April 26, 1913 in downtown Montreal, Quebec. It had a seating capacity of 2,300.

In 1934, the Imperial Theatre was rented to Leo Ernest Ouimet and in 1936, RKO Radio Pictures sold the movie house to Consolidated Theatres.

In 1950, the Imperial Theatre was first renovated and was altered again for Cinerama in 1954.

In 1970, it was sold to Cinema International and was renamed the Cine Centre in 1974. The theatre was twinned in 1975 and was renamed the Imperial Theatre in 1976.

In 1980, United Theatres (part of Famous Players) repurchased the Imperial and it was restored and reopened in 1981.

In 1986, the Imperial Theatre became the first cinema in Quebec to receive THX certification. It was donated to the Montreal Film Festival in 1995 by Famous Players.

The Cinema Imperial currently seats 819, and is still a true “Cinema Treasure”.

Contributed by Chad Irish

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

rivest266
rivest266 on May 28, 2016 at 11:19 am

Le 10 Octobre, 1975 l'une des salles de cinéma a poursuivi sa politique des adultes comme Eden. Sa grande ouverture journal annonce peut être trouvée dans la section de photo pour ce cinéma. L'Eden n'a pas duré longtemps

On October 10th, 1975 one of the cinemas continued its adult policy as Eden. Its grand opening newspaper ad can be found in the photo section for this cinema. The Eden did not last long.

rivest266
rivest266 on May 28, 2016 at 4:13 pm

Pop up in the France-Film listings as Cinéma X on March 4th, 1977. did not last long.

MSC77
MSC77 on April 4, 2023 at 12:43 pm

A chronology of Montreal’s 70mm presentation history, has recently been published. The Imperial gets several mentions in the piece.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 4, 2023 at 3:51 pm

MSC77, the Cinerama travelogs were not on the list.

MSC77
MSC77 on April 4, 2023 at 4:43 pm

rivest266: The travelogues do not belong on the list. The travelogues were made in 3-panel Cinerama which is not the subject of my article. The subject of the article is 70mm.

rivest266
rivest266 on December 9, 2023 at 2:53 pm

1981 reopening from Famous News on Page 13.

Apple IIGS
Apple IIGS on December 12, 2023 at 12:43 am

CTV News Montreal just reported The Imperial is facing permanent closure in January 2024, due to lack of funding.

If this 110 year old theatre should close, I’d be concerned about it succumbing to the same fate as so many other historical theaters in Montreal. Recent demolition examples being the Snowdon, Loews or Empress, all for the sake of condos.

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-s-iconic-imperial-cinema-in-jeopardy-of-closing-next-year-1.6683298

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