Regent Theatre

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Uploaded on: September 10, 2026

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The Regent Theatre launched on September 8, 1932 with Eddie Cantor in “Palmy Days” along with Paramount Sound News and several unnamed shorts including a cartoon, featuring Western Electric sound (Northern Electric in Canada). The Regent was the replacement of the Princess Theatre that operated from September 1907 until November 28, 1931, leaving the town without a movie palace for nearly 10 months. It was operated by the husband-and-wife team of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Sutherland of St. Mary’s, who also operated theaters in Goderich, St. Mary’s, and Cobourg.

The original auditorium was formerly occupied by two stores alongside an antiquated hall above before it was remodeled into a movie theater. Inside, it housed a 23x18ft stage, 306 blue air-cushioned seats, and yellow panels on the walls with light green moldings. There is also a cellar underneath the auditorium for an auxiliary heating plant or dressing rooms. Lastly, above the lobby is the projection room and the men’s restroom built in cement, and there is also an emergency exit door on the south side of the building from the projection room in case of fire or any other emergency.