When I saw Ben-Hur in 70mm projection at the Michael Todd in 1960 the curtains opened horizontally to reveal a very wide flat screen. Meanwhile, Exodus at the Cinestage was shown on a slightly curved standard screen. The Cinerama strip screen was installed a few years later.
This theatre has just been equipped with a Cineplex/Odeon UltraAVX installation. I haven’t seen it yet, but I presume that it’s been installed in what was AMC’s ETX auditorium. I like the AVX upgrades: the seats are extremely comfortable, the presentation is excellent and they’ve even put a bit of thought into the decor which is somewhat unusual in this day and age. I’m reserving a seat this weekend to check it out.
Thanks for the positive comment on the photo which I shot on 35mm Anscochrome film. Sure wish we still had a few of those splendid old theatres to go to today. But on a positive note: the big screen digital presentations of late are getting better all the time.
The Carlton recently converted to digital projection… hurray! This gets rid of the following problems: pictures out of frame (microphones in frame), out of focus, poor sound reproduction, scratchy and, or dirty prints. These are some of the reasons I stopped going to this venue. A recent visit with perfect digital projection and sound was a real treat!
Who actually manages (or owns) the place? Who paid for the recent renovations? Have they installed digital projection equipment? I hate to think of what it costs to run this place: heat, taxes, hydro, staff, upkeep, advertising, film or DCP rental, etc. It boggles the mind.
As someone who ran a repertory movie house for many years and knows full well the perils of running old, battered film prints, I applaud the switch to digital projection. I may no longer be in the business, but as a moviegoer I really enjoy watching a feature film that doesn’t have: changeover cues, stays in focus, isn’t plagued by dust and scratches, doesn’t jump out of frame, the image doesn’t bounce or weave, etc. What’s not to like?
I just heard that AMC will remove all of the Sony 4K projectors throughout the complex when they vacate to make room for the Cineplex takeover. These will more than likely be replaced by Christie machines. I don’t know what will happen with the IMAX auditorium but I doubt that Cineplex would get rid of it.
I agree with your comment. Now that the Cumberland is gone that would certainly make sense. Consequently, all of the big commercial films should open at the Y&D 24 with its totally up-to-date facilities: superior 4K digital projection, great sound, comfortable stadium seating, IMAX presentations, clean and plentiful washroom facilities, pleasant movie-themed decor along with genuinely friendly and helpful staff. I hope Cineplex recognizes what a great addition this venue will be to their chain of theatres and doesn’t make too many arbitrary changes.
I think it happened when they decided to build plexes and chuck the wonderful old theatres we used to go to: the Carlton, Imperial, Loew’s, Loew’s Uptown, the University, etc. It was a real adventure going to the movies then. On the other hand, the plexes have their advantages too. Don’t like a movie? Skip down the hall and try another one. 3-D giving you a headache? There’s always the standard version showing in another auditorium. Things change and we’ve obviously adapted.
At this stage nothing would surprise me. Maybe they’ll simply close the Winston Churchill site and sell if off for anything but a movie theatre. Great way to make sure they’ll have zero competition in the area.
I’m looking forward to the conversion of the AMC Yonge & Dundas into a Cineplex venue since it’s my favorite cinema in Toronto. Maybe now they’ll be able to show everything that’s available. There’s been some strange business going on which kept a lot of good product from screening in this super venue.
Tim, I heard that another change may be on the way. There’s a rumour that AMC’s Canadian cinemas may be sold. If the new owner is Canadian, the AMC @ Yonge & Dundas may finally have access to more product. It’s strange that the tiny Carlton, located a mere 10 min. walk away from the AMC gets titles that the AMC doesn’t have access to. And speaking of the Carlton, what will they do when the distribs stop providing them with 35mm film prints?
I agree that this area could definitely use another cinema. On the other hand, the Cumberland was a poorly designed space, even one of Famous Player’s CEO’s (won’t mention which one) agreed with me on this. In addition, I always thought it was an embarrassing venue to hold screenings in for the Toronto Film Festival. I won’t be shedding any tears over its demise.
I understand the reluctance by some movie fans to embrace digital projection, but let’s face it: nothing is perfect. As for me, give me digitally restored prints anytime. I ran a rep house for many years and can’t begin to comment on the problems we had with fading color, warped film, sloppily made splices, frames missing and dirty prints. When customers complained I gave them passes to another show. Unfortunately, the distributors seldom cared and never offered me a discount on these sub-par presentations.
Speaking of “LieMax” while I agree that it’s not in the same league as full-scale 70mm IMAX projection. Let’s not forget that even the traditional IMAX venues are screening mostly converted 35mm features that are often projected digitally. On the plus side: “LieMax” auditoriums have much larger than average size screens, 3D images are far brighter and more lifelike than the dim pictures standard digital projection provides, and the excellent audio is monitored for quality directly from the IMAX offices. A higher standard of presentation, regardless of what it’s called, is nothing to be sneezed at.
The 400 Drive-in was originally owned and operated by Nat Taylor’s 20th Century Theatres chain which was located at 175 Bloor St. E. in Toronto. He owned theatres all over Ontario including the Towne Cinema, the Uptown and the Glendale Cinerama in Toronto.
I used to run a movie theatre and enjoyed working with 35mm film prints. Even operated the equipment myself when the odd relief projectionist would screw things up (seldom happened, but it did on more than one occasion). I no longer work in the business but much prefer viewing a digital presentation to a sloppy film display. Here’s why: the picture is always in focus from edge to edge, the image is rock steady, sound reproduction is top notch, dust, scratches and missing frames due to splices are a thing of the past, it’s never out of frame and pictures are always in their correct aspect ratios. What’s not to like?
Most of the 70mm reserved seat engagements did not have an intermission. But United Artists, who distributed the movie, did allow it if a cinema insisted for whatever reason.
The Uptown was breathtakingly beautiful. I used to live around the corner from it when I went to school in Chicago (1959-60) and couldn’t believe my eyes the first time I walked into the building. It was astonishing.
When I saw Ben-Hur in 70mm projection at the Michael Todd in 1960 the curtains opened horizontally to reveal a very wide flat screen. Meanwhile, Exodus at the Cinestage was shown on a slightly curved standard screen. The Cinerama strip screen was installed a few years later.
This theatre has just been equipped with a Cineplex/Odeon UltraAVX installation. I haven’t seen it yet, but I presume that it’s been installed in what was AMC’s ETX auditorium. I like the AVX upgrades: the seats are extremely comfortable, the presentation is excellent and they’ve even put a bit of thought into the decor which is somewhat unusual in this day and age. I’m reserving a seat this weekend to check it out.
What a stunning looking auditorium!
This sure doesn’t look like a movie theatre to me: poor sight-lines, no screen and where are the port holes for the projection booth?
This has to be the smallest movie theatre in the entire world. Or is it?
It shouldn’t look like film or video. The idea is to make it look more like life.
Thanks for the positive comment on the photo which I shot on 35mm Anscochrome film. Sure wish we still had a few of those splendid old theatres to go to today. But on a positive note: the big screen digital presentations of late are getting better all the time.
The Carlton recently converted to digital projection… hurray! This gets rid of the following problems: pictures out of frame (microphones in frame), out of focus, poor sound reproduction, scratchy and, or dirty prints. These are some of the reasons I stopped going to this venue. A recent visit with perfect digital projection and sound was a real treat!
Who actually manages (or owns) the place? Who paid for the recent renovations? Have they installed digital projection equipment? I hate to think of what it costs to run this place: heat, taxes, hydro, staff, upkeep, advertising, film or DCP rental, etc. It boggles the mind.
We’ve all heard this one before. I wouldn’t chuck those polaroid glasses just yet.
As someone who ran a repertory movie house for many years and knows full well the perils of running old, battered film prints, I applaud the switch to digital projection. I may no longer be in the business, but as a moviegoer I really enjoy watching a feature film that doesn’t have: changeover cues, stays in focus, isn’t plagued by dust and scratches, doesn’t jump out of frame, the image doesn’t bounce or weave, etc. What’s not to like?
I just heard that AMC will remove all of the Sony 4K projectors throughout the complex when they vacate to make room for the Cineplex takeover. These will more than likely be replaced by Christie machines. I don’t know what will happen with the IMAX auditorium but I doubt that Cineplex would get rid of it.
I agree with your comment. Now that the Cumberland is gone that would certainly make sense. Consequently, all of the big commercial films should open at the Y&D 24 with its totally up-to-date facilities: superior 4K digital projection, great sound, comfortable stadium seating, IMAX presentations, clean and plentiful washroom facilities, pleasant movie-themed decor along with genuinely friendly and helpful staff. I hope Cineplex recognizes what a great addition this venue will be to their chain of theatres and doesn’t make too many arbitrary changes.
I think it happened when they decided to build plexes and chuck the wonderful old theatres we used to go to: the Carlton, Imperial, Loew’s, Loew’s Uptown, the University, etc. It was a real adventure going to the movies then. On the other hand, the plexes have their advantages too. Don’t like a movie? Skip down the hall and try another one. 3-D giving you a headache? There’s always the standard version showing in another auditorium. Things change and we’ve obviously adapted.
At this stage nothing would surprise me. Maybe they’ll simply close the Winston Churchill site and sell if off for anything but a movie theatre. Great way to make sure they’ll have zero competition in the area.
I’m looking forward to the conversion of the AMC Yonge & Dundas into a Cineplex venue since it’s my favorite cinema in Toronto. Maybe now they’ll be able to show everything that’s available. There’s been some strange business going on which kept a lot of good product from screening in this super venue.
Tim, I heard that another change may be on the way. There’s a rumour that AMC’s Canadian cinemas may be sold. If the new owner is Canadian, the AMC @ Yonge & Dundas may finally have access to more product. It’s strange that the tiny Carlton, located a mere 10 min. walk away from the AMC gets titles that the AMC doesn’t have access to. And speaking of the Carlton, what will they do when the distribs stop providing them with 35mm film prints?
I agree that this area could definitely use another cinema. On the other hand, the Cumberland was a poorly designed space, even one of Famous Player’s CEO’s (won’t mention which one) agreed with me on this. In addition, I always thought it was an embarrassing venue to hold screenings in for the Toronto Film Festival. I won’t be shedding any tears over its demise.
I understand the reluctance by some movie fans to embrace digital projection, but let’s face it: nothing is perfect. As for me, give me digitally restored prints anytime. I ran a rep house for many years and can’t begin to comment on the problems we had with fading color, warped film, sloppily made splices, frames missing and dirty prints. When customers complained I gave them passes to another show. Unfortunately, the distributors seldom cared and never offered me a discount on these sub-par presentations.
Speaking of “LieMax” while I agree that it’s not in the same league as full-scale 70mm IMAX projection. Let’s not forget that even the traditional IMAX venues are screening mostly converted 35mm features that are often projected digitally. On the plus side: “LieMax” auditoriums have much larger than average size screens, 3D images are far brighter and more lifelike than the dim pictures standard digital projection provides, and the excellent audio is monitored for quality directly from the IMAX offices. A higher standard of presentation, regardless of what it’s called, is nothing to be sneezed at.
The 400 Drive-in was originally owned and operated by Nat Taylor’s 20th Century Theatres chain which was located at 175 Bloor St. E. in Toronto. He owned theatres all over Ontario including the Towne Cinema, the Uptown and the Glendale Cinerama in Toronto.
I used to run a movie theatre and enjoyed working with 35mm film prints. Even operated the equipment myself when the odd relief projectionist would screw things up (seldom happened, but it did on more than one occasion). I no longer work in the business but much prefer viewing a digital presentation to a sloppy film display. Here’s why: the picture is always in focus from edge to edge, the image is rock steady, sound reproduction is top notch, dust, scratches and missing frames due to splices are a thing of the past, it’s never out of frame and pictures are always in their correct aspect ratios. What’s not to like?
Most of the 70mm reserved seat engagements did not have an intermission. But United Artists, who distributed the movie, did allow it if a cinema insisted for whatever reason.
The Uptown was breathtakingly beautiful. I used to live around the corner from it when I went to school in Chicago (1959-60) and couldn’t believe my eyes the first time I walked into the building. It was astonishing.
What a hideous auditorium. No wonder the place closed.