Comments from DavidDymond

Showing 1 - 25 of 246 comments

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Century Cinemas 3 on Jul 23, 2014 at 11:58 am

This theatre was built in 1951, by Twentieth Century Theatres, an important operating parter of Famous Players Canadian Corporation. It was a single theatre with 750 seats now a triple theatre with a total of 400 seats.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Donlands Theatre on Jul 12, 2014 at 10:01 pm

B & F Theatres, Limited controlled 20 luxurious neighbourhood theatres in association with the great Famous Players Canadian Corporation.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Donlands Theatre on Jul 12, 2014 at 9:55 pm

If you look closely at the pattern of the aisle carpet here, you will recognize this as carpet supplied to Famous Players Canadian Corporation by Paramount Theatres from the United States — I have seen this very same carpet in their United States theatres!!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Donlands Theatre on Jul 12, 2014 at 9:54 pm

This theatre was built for B & F Theatres, an important operating partner of Famous Players Canadian Corporation after the war!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Donlands Theatre on Jul 12, 2014 at 9:52 pm

This theatre was built by Sam Bloom and Sam Fine for their B & F Theatres, Limited. B & F Theatres was an important theatre operating affiliate of Famous Players Canadian Corporation. This was the local neighbourhood theatre that JOHN CANDY attended when he was a child!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Ritz Theater on Jun 17, 2014 at 6:14 pm

If you look carefully at this form in the top left hand corner there will be the the initials UPT with a number. UPT stands for United Paramount Theaters!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Empire Theatre on Jun 9, 2014 at 12:09 pm

Hank Williams as a 10-year-old boy won a talent contest at this theatre!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Capitol 6 on Jun 1, 2014 at 11:40 am

Famous Players Canadian Corporation went all out in the construction of this CAPITOL Theatre!! The first manager was veteran showman Jack McRae — whose family owned lots of property in the Victoria area.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Caprice Showcase Theatre on May 28, 2014 at 6:57 pm

One of the earliest theatres acquired by Famous Players Canadian Corporation in Vancouver. The original auditorium had a ceiling that consisted of glass with backlit lighting above it. Very interesting!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Teck Theatre on May 27, 2014 at 8:54 pm

Originally owned by B & F Theatres Limited an important affiliate of the giant Famous Players Canadian Corporation!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about AMC Interchange 30 on May 26, 2014 at 8:39 pm

CINEPLEX-ODEON are far better operators than AMC was in Canada — They are doing really well with the Yonge-Dundas 24!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Shea's Hippodrome Theatre on May 26, 2014 at 3:43 pm

This was built by Jerry and Michael Shea,who owned more theatres in the United States. This theatre was operated jointly by them and Famous Players Canadian Corp. When the partnership ended, Famous Players operated this theatre for many years until it was torn down to build Toronto’s new city hall.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Beaver Theatre on May 23, 2014 at 1:49 pm

Built by the Allen family — after they went into receivership— Sam Bloom and Sam Fine and Sam Sternberg took this over for B & F Theatres, Ltd.,—an affiliate of Famous Players Canadian Corporation. This theatre was torn down in 1961.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about 1946 night view courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library. Previous dead links. on May 13, 2014 at 7:25 pm

Ivan Ackery long-time Manager of the Orpheum Theatre a Famous Players theatre called this street “THEATRE ROW”!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about AMC Interchange 30 on May 10, 2014 at 9:39 pm

AMC was arrogant in building a 30 screen theatre directly opposite the Famous Players Colossus (14 screens). 30 screens was too big for the Canadian market. NOWHERE did Cineplex Odeon or Famous Players ever build a 30 screen complex — and now the resultant closing of the AMC interchange 30 is proof of what I said. The Canadian market is too small for a 3rd national chain to be successful.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about AMC Interchange 30 on May 9, 2014 at 2:05 pm

In choosing this location AMC decided to go head to head with Famous Players Canadian Corporation against the Colossus and it serves them right.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about King Square Cinemas on May 8, 2014 at 5:05 pm

OK — maybe I was wrong on that one!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about King Square Cinemas on May 8, 2014 at 1:47 pm

I do NOT believe that this was the Paramount Theatre in Saint John, New Brunswick. I believe this was originally an Odeon Theatre!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about SilverCity Mississauga Cinemas on May 3, 2014 at 10:37 pm

The ORIGINAL Square One cinemas opened in 1971 with four screens with an awesome lobby. This was built by Famous Players Canadian Corporation and jointly operated with our associates, Twentieth Century Theatres!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Marks Theatre on May 2, 2014 at 6:39 pm

The Marks Theatre was a unit of Premier Operating Corp., a partner affiliate of Famous Players Canadian Corporation!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Prince of Wales Theatre on Mar 7, 2014 at 6:12 pm

B & F (Bloom and Fine) were important Famous Players partners controlling 20 luxurious neighbourhood theatres in Toronto!!!

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Prince of Wales Theatre on Mar 6, 2014 at 7:06 pm

This theatre was built by W. A. Summerville, Sr. AND later jointly operated by the Summerville and Bloom and Fine Theatres under the name Danforth-Woodbine Theatres Limited. In effect this was a pooling arrangement between B & f AND Summerville.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Towne Cinema on Mar 2, 2014 at 12:41 pm

Opened April 25 1949 not 1939. This theatre was owned by Nat Taylor’s wife and when she passed her son Michael Taylor (a friend of mine) inherited it. He told me that Famous Players paid him a rent of $1000.00 a day — 365 days a year — pretty good eh??

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Parkway Drive-In on Mar 1, 2014 at 10:18 pm

This theatre was built by Odeon Theatres of Canada in partnership with Barry Allen of Premier Operating. The operating company was ALDEN THEATRES LTD the Al for Allen and the den for ODEON. The Odeon Don Mills (indoor) and the Odeo Elane (indoor) were also built and operated by this partnership.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond commented about Plaza 1 & 2 on Mar 1, 2014 at 10:15 pm

This theatre opened in the spring of 1976 with All the President’s Men as one of its opening attractions. I attended this theatre week after its opening. Grant Millar was the first manager.