Who is this Micheal person that keeps asking if every theater can be turned into a symphony hall or opera house? The site is called CINEMA TREASURES for the preservations of theaters for showing MOVIES. If you’ve got nothing else to say, stop adding the same comment on every theater page.
The York Theatre opened November 18, 1938 in a complex that included stores on street level and the Carlton apartments (later named Lancaster) on the northwest corner of Ste-Catherine and Mackay Streets.
The project was designed by the firm of Luke, Little and Perry and included the 900 seat theatre with decorative murals and a beige colored streamlined interior. Operated by the United chain, it first showed a double bill of Gateway with Don Ameche and Algiers with Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr. It eventually became a first run house when the downtown movie palaces disappeared.
The York turned to showing porno films in the 1970’s and was eventually acquired by a Swiss development firm. A Montreal real estate company announced in the 1980’s plans to restore the deteriorating complex with the addition of a new skyscraper on the same block. The plan was never realised after the company cleared the complex of tenants and closed the theatre in 1989. This beautiful and unique theatre was left to deteriorate until Spring 2003. After much debate, the entire complex was demolished for new state of the art buildings for Concordia University. After much pressure from the community and preservation groups, the university chose not to renovate the theater and make it part of its future master plan. (The complex was voted one of the worst eyesore’s of the city in 2000 although the theatre still survived in restorable condition within; the 8 nymph murals still framed by the original deco tubular lights.)
Carol Burnett’s First Job – “Usher at Warner Bros. Movie Theatre (later Pacific) on Hollywood Boulevard making 65 cents an hour."
(Age – 17 )
Most important thing learned:
"I wanted to make more money so I went across the street to the Iris Theatre and got a box office job for 75 cents an hour.
Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star is now in front of the Warner Bros. Theatre.
Due to significant damage from the1994 Northridge earthquake and vandalism, the auditorium of the Egyptiam required major rehabilitation. The steel structure now seen in the auditorium is required to reinforce the building structure. What was left of the original auditorium decor was saved and restored. The additions of the late 50’s (in particular the marquee) were demolished and the courtyard restored. Perhaps not an accurate restoration of the original, but a successful renovation by the American Cinematheque of a neglected Hollywood movie palace.
The State Theatre showed first run English films well into the 1990’s until closing and being converted into a Spanish language church Iglesia Universal (previously housed in the Million Dollar Theatre , 307 S.Broadway)
Designed by Thomas Lamb’s Toronto office, built by Nathan Louis Nathanson (first general manager of Famous Players Canadian Corp.) and opened April 2, 1921 with the film “Forbidden Fruit”. Although still in original condition and showing films, the theatre was demolished on October 1973 along with the Strand-built 1912 (renamed Pigalle and seen on the right of the photo above) just a few doors away.
Correct spelling of theatre name is FLEUR DE LYS.
Reopened a few years ago as the still very popular after hours nightclub STEREO (capacity 1200) The interior was very plain and has been retrofitted. The original ticket booth is still used to sell tickets. DJ Angel Moraes was a former owner. It’s claim to fame is: “Stereo’s sound system, the #1 rated analog sound system in the world."
Photos of the current interior can be viewed at: View link
This theatre designed by Albert E. Westover is currently closed for additional restoration (Oct 2003).
A history of this theatre can be found at: http://www.ffm-montreal.org/en_impe_hist.html
Designed by Kaplan and Sprachman, opened 1936, a beautifully preserved Art Deco movie palace closed in 2003 and being remodeled. Although the new tenant will restore the marquee and facade, the interior will be retrofitted. The theatre will reopen as a rental hall for special events and renamed the Eglinton Grand.
To read an update, go to: View link
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:
Thanks for posting some great shots. Time has not been kind to this theater. Definitely worth restoring.
The Tower Theater’s interior also appears in the 2001 David Lynch film ‘Mulholland Drive’ as the interior of Club Silencio.
Vintage photos of the Bloor can be viewed here:
View link
Who is this Micheal person that keeps asking if every theater can be turned into a symphony hall or opera house? The site is called CINEMA TREASURES for the preservations of theaters for showing MOVIES. If you’ve got nothing else to say, stop adding the same comment on every theater page.
A New York Times article on the Loews Paradise’s uncertain future:
View link
Do any interior photos exist of this theatre online?
Somewhat recent article on the Loews Paradise’s future:
View link
Do any interior photos exist of this theatre online?
Another link with history and image:
http://www.nipissingu.ca/ICSOH/Capitol.html
Website for this theatre (now a rental hall):
http://www.eventtheatres.com/capitol/
Rear portion of theatre collapses onto adjacent building during demolition. Full story can be read here.
A photo and info on Toronto’s oldest continually running neighborhood movie house can be viewed at:
http://www.toronto.com/profile/145237/
The York Theatre opened November 18, 1938 in a complex that included stores on street level and the Carlton apartments (later named Lancaster) on the northwest corner of Ste-Catherine and Mackay Streets.
The project was designed by the firm of Luke, Little and Perry and included the 900 seat theatre with decorative murals and a beige colored streamlined interior. Operated by the United chain, it first showed a double bill of Gateway with Don Ameche and Algiers with Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr. It eventually became a first run house when the downtown movie palaces disappeared.
The York turned to showing porno films in the 1970’s and was eventually acquired by a Swiss development firm. A Montreal real estate company announced in the 1980’s plans to restore the deteriorating complex with the addition of a new skyscraper on the same block. The plan was never realised after the company cleared the complex of tenants and closed the theatre in 1989. This beautiful and unique theatre was left to deteriorate until Spring 2003. After much debate, the entire complex was demolished for new state of the art buildings for Concordia University. After much pressure from the community and preservation groups, the university chose not to renovate the theater and make it part of its future master plan. (The complex was voted one of the worst eyesore’s of the city in 2000 although the theatre still survived in restorable condition within; the 8 nymph murals still framed by the original deco tubular lights.)
Carol Burnett’s First Job – “Usher at Warner Bros. Movie Theatre (later Pacific) on Hollywood Boulevard making 65 cents an hour."
(Age – 17 )
Most important thing learned:
"I wanted to make more money so I went across the street to the Iris Theatre and got a box office job for 75 cents an hour.
Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star is now in front of the Warner Bros. Theatre.
Photo of Henry Miller theatre:
View link
Website:
http://www.cinemalamour.com/english/ie/index.html
Due to significant damage from the1994 Northridge earthquake and vandalism, the auditorium of the Egyptiam required major rehabilitation. The steel structure now seen in the auditorium is required to reinforce the building structure. What was left of the original auditorium decor was saved and restored. The additions of the late 50’s (in particular the marquee) were demolished and the courtyard restored. Perhaps not an accurate restoration of the original, but a successful renovation by the American Cinematheque of a neglected Hollywood movie palace.
The State Theatre showed first run English films well into the 1990’s until closing and being converted into a Spanish language church Iglesia Universal (previously housed in the Million Dollar Theatre , 307 S.Broadway)
Designed by Thomas Lamb’s Toronto office, built by Nathan Louis Nathanson (first general manager of Famous Players Canadian Corp.) and opened April 2, 1921 with the film “Forbidden Fruit”. Although still in original condition and showing films, the theatre was demolished on October 1973 along with the Strand-built 1912 (renamed Pigalle and seen on the right of the photo above) just a few doors away.
Correct spelling of theatre name is FLEUR DE LYS.
Reopened a few years ago as the still very popular after hours nightclub STEREO (capacity 1200) The interior was very plain and has been retrofitted. The original ticket booth is still used to sell tickets. DJ Angel Moraes was a former owner. It’s claim to fame is: “Stereo’s sound system, the #1 rated analog sound system in the world."
Photos of the current interior can be viewed at:
View link
This theatre designed by Albert E. Westover is currently closed for additional restoration (Oct 2003).
A history of this theatre can be found at:
http://www.ffm-montreal.org/en_impe_hist.html
Designed by Kaplan and Sprachman, opened 1936, a beautifully preserved Art Deco movie palace closed in 2003 and being remodeled. Although the new tenant will restore the marquee and facade, the interior will be retrofitted. The theatre will reopen as a rental hall for special events and renamed the Eglinton Grand.
To read an update, go to:
View link
The new site looks great!
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:
View link
With the nearby Uptown also slated for demolition and the Eglinton already gone, Toronto is left without a notable first run single screen venue.
This is a beautiful classic movie theatre.
Their website is:
http://www.mayfair-movie.com/