York Theatres 1 & 2
101 Eglinton East,
Toronto,
ON
M4P 1H4
101 Eglinton East,
Toronto,
ON
M4P 1H4
2 people
favorited this theater
Not to be confused with an earlier York Theater that was on Yonge Street, this two-screen theatre opened in 1969 and closed in 2001. Since its closing it has served as a club venue and banquet hall, and by 2011 was a gym, which has closed.
Contributed by
Christopher Walczak
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
I remember after the Canada Square 8 opened, the big pictures would open at the York, stay a few weeks or more and then move over to Canada Square to continue their run, sometimes lasting weeks. It was the perfect set up. Yes, of all the theatres we’ve lost over the years, the York is one of the ones I really miss. But at least it was open for over 30 years, which is longer than the magnificent Odeon Carlton, which lasted for only about 25.
Yeah the York with the personal connection I had to the place working it I really miss after the long run, along with the Uptown for all the festival screenings I caught there in its time and the Westwood for all the childhood memories. They, in some ways, don’t make them like that anymore le sigh
Much as the York had good sound its picture was too small for my liking. Sound systems were calibrated 2/3 the way back and just off center at the time and if you were seated in the sweet-spot your field of view went beyond the masking on both sides. I found that quite off-putting and I preferred to see films elsewhere as a result. For anything in the Canadian Odeon chain (later C-O) I usually preferred the Hyland downstairs or Fairview #1, 2 or 6. For FP, it was obviously the Eglinton or Uptown 1.
Unfortunately only was able to catch I think it was 2 screenings at the Hyland while I was in film school and dont remember too much either way as to how it presented (maybe it was just the film I saw in Ravenous that turned me off lol ). Total agreement for the presentation and sound for the Famous screens.
Ahh the Hyland. Another one of my favourites (with the Hollywood next door). I remember growing up in the 60s when all of these places were still single screen theatres (Hyland, Fairlawn, Runnymede, Humber, Uptown, Imperial etc) and my favourite spot was the front row of the balcony. And I remember the Westwood when it was one big theatre before they added on the Westwood “Cinema” in 1968…those were the days.
Ahh the Hyland. Another one of my favourites (with the Hollywood next door). I remember growing up in the 60s when all of these places were still single screen theatres (Hyland, Fairlawn, Runnymede, Humber, Uptown, Imperial etc) and my favourite spot was the front row of the balcony. And I remember the Westwood when it was one big theatre before they added on the Westwood “Cinema” in 1968…those were the days.
Hollywood South was a good auditorium. North…not so much. The Hyland downstairs had a negative projection angle (sort of like a drive-in) and a very wide screen. I usually sat about 4 or 5 rows in front of the booth left of the aisle. I must have seen ET there a half-dozen times including opening night. I still remember lines for that going down the side alley and ‘round the back. Was a nice booth to work, too, though I didn’t like upstairs as much.
The marker on the Google map is in the wrong place. After closing, it served as a banquet/events hall for a while and is now a fitness centre called the Yorkville Club.
The Yorkville Club has now been closed as the building is about to become a new condo complex along with the parking lot to the west of the theatre building.
This, one of my very favourite theatres has now been demolished, to make way for the Madison condominium complex. I have fond memories of this beautiful building, right from the beginning, went here a lot durning the 70s and 80s, saw many major releases here over the years. This was a first run showcase for the Odeon chain back then and have missed it since it’s closing. Farewell Odeon York!