This cartoon was in the Toronto Star on February 28, 2015. The cartoon brought back memories of the first time I saw the film “Gone With the Wind.” It was in the mid-1950s, at Loew’s Downtown Theatre, which is today named the Elgin. For links to the history of this magnificent historic theatre :
Elgin Theatre (Loew’s Downtown)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/10/22/torontos-old-movie-housesloews-downtown-the-elgin/
Elgin/Winter/Garden Theatres on Yonge Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/05/31/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-elgin-winter-garden-theatres/
Below are links to over 130 of Toronto’s old movie theatres:
Adelphi Theatre (Kum Bac) on Dovercourt Road
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/21/the-adelphi-cum-bac-movie-theatretoronto/
Alhambra Theatre on Bloor Street, west of Bathurst Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/05/torontos-old-movie-theatres-the-alhambra/
Allen’s Bloor Theatre, (now Lee’s Palace)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/01/22/torontos-old-allens-bloor-theatre-the-bloor-lees-palace/
Allenby on the Danforth
Apollo (Crystal) Theatre on Dundas West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/08/20/torontos-apollo-crystal-theatre-on-dundas-street-west/
Avon Theatre at 1092 Queen Street West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/10/torontos-lost-movie-theatresthe-avon-at-1092-queen-west/
Bay (Colonial Theatre) at Queen and Bay
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/11/28/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-bay-originally-the-colonial/
The Bayview Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/26/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-bayview/
Beaver Theatre in the Junction area at Keele and Dundas Street West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/19/torontos-beaver-theatre-on-dundas-st-west/
Bell Lightbox (TIFF)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/19/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-bell-lightbox-tiff/
Bellevue Theatre on College Street that became the Lux Burlesque Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/01/14/the-bellevue-theatre-lux-burlesque-theatre-on-college-street/
The Biltmore Theatre on Yonge, north of Dundas St.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/03/01/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-biltmore-theatre/
Birchcliff Theatre on Kingston Rd.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/08/11/memories-of-torontos-birchcliff-theatre-on-kingston-rd/
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on Bloor Street West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/06/09/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-bloor-hot-docs-cinema/
Bloordale Theatre (the State) on Bloor St. West, near Dundas Street.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/04/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-bloordale-state/
Blue Bell (Gay) Theatre on Parliament Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/28/torontos-blue-bell-theatre-the-gay/
Bonita (Gerrard) Theatre on Gerrard East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/08/16/torontos-bonita-theatre-on-gerrard-east/
Brighton Theatre on Roncesvalles Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/03/06/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-brighton/
The Brock Theatre (the Gem)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/02/17/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-brock-the-gem/
Cameo Theatre
http://tayloronhistory.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/torontos-old-cameo-theatre/
Capitol Theatre on Yonge at Castlefield
http://tayloronhistory.wordpress.com/2014/12/11/torontos-old-capitol-theatre/
Carlton Theatre on Parliament Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/24/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-carlton-on-parliament-st/
Casino Burlesque Theatre on Queen Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/11/06/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-infamous-casino-on-queen-st/
Cineplex Eaton Centre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/02/26/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-cineplex-eaton-centre/
Cineplex Odeon Varsity Theatre at Bloor and Bay
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/06/24/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-cineplex-odeon-varsity/
Cineplex Theatre at Yonge and Dundas Streets
Circle Theatre
http://tayloronhistory.wordpress.com/2014/11/29/torontos-old-circle-theatre/
College Theatre at College St. and Dovercourt Rd.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/14/torontos-old-college-theatre/
Colony Theatre at Vaughan Road and Eglinton Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/09/10/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-colony-at-eglinton-and-vaughan/
Coronet Theatre (Savoy) on Yonge St. at Gerrard
Crown Theatre on Gerrard St. East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/17/the-crown-theatre-toronto-on-gerrard-st-east/
Danforth Music Hall (Allen’s Danforth)
Donlands Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/01/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-donlands/
Downtown Theatre (now demolished) at Yonge and Dundas
Duchess Theatre (Circle) on Dundas West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/02/07/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-duchess-centre/
Eastwood Theatre on Gerrard St. East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/18/torontos-eastwood-theatre-on-gerrard-st-east/
Ed Mirvish Theatre (the Pantages, Imperial and Cannon)
Eglinton Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/08/28/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-eglinton-theatre/
Elgin Theatre (Loew’s Downtown)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/10/22/torontos-old-movie-housesloews-downtown-the-elgin/
Elgin/Winter/Garden Theatres on Yonge Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/05/31/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-elgin-winter-garden-theatres/
Empire (Rialto, Palton) on Queen East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/22/torontos-empire-rialto-palton-theatrequeen-st-east/
Esquire (Lyndhurst) Theatre on Bloor Street West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/09/esquire-theatretoronto/
Garden Theatre at 290 College Street.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/09/29/discovering-two-of-torontos-lost-movie-theatres/
Glendale Theatre on Avenue Rd.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/15/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-glendale-theatre-on-avenue-rd/
Golden Mile Theatre on Eglinton East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/08/08/torontos-golden-mile-theatre-on-eglinton-ave/
Grant Theatre on Oakwood Avenue near Vaughan Road
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/11/04/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-grant/
Greenwood Theatre (the Guild)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/02/15/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-greenwood-guild/
Grover on Danforth Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/18/torontos-old-grover-theatre/
Hillcrest Theatre on Christie Street, south of Dupont St.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/09/01/remembering-torontos-hillcrest-theatre-on-christie-st/
Hollywood Theatre on the east side of Yonge Street, north of St. Clair Avenue.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/10/11/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-hollywood-theatre/
Imperial and Downtown Theatres on Yonge Street (archival photos)
Iola (Ace, Regal) on Queen St. East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/12/the-iola-ace-regal-theatretoronto/
Island Theatre on Centre Island
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/07/the-1950s-movie-theatre-at-centre-island-toronto/
Kent Theatre at Yonge and St. Clair
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/15/the-kent-movie-theatretoronto/
Kenwood Theatre on Bloor St. West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/01/torontos-old-kenwood-theatre-on-bloor-st-west/
King Theatre at College and Manning Streets
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/20/torontos-king-theatre-on-college-st-at-manning/
Kingsway Theatre in the Kingsway Village on Bloor St. West
KUM-C Theatre in Parkdale
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/08/14/memories-of-torontos-kum-c-theatre-in-parkdale/
La Plaza Theatre (the Opera House) on Queen Street East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/09/03/torontos-la-plaza-theatre-the-opera-house-on-queen-east/
La Salle Theatre on Dundas, near Spadina
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/25/torontos-la-salle-theatredundas-and-spadina/
Lansdowne Theatre on Lansdowne Avenue, north of Bloor St. West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/04/the-lansdowne-theatretoronto/
Loew’s Uptown Theatre (the Uptown)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/10/24/torontos-old-movie-housesloews-uptown/
Major St. Clair Theatre on St. Clair Avenue, east of Old Weston Road.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/10/04/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-st-clair-major/
The Mayfair Theatre at Jane and Annette
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/31/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-mayfair
Metro Theatre at 679 Bloor West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/13/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-metro-at-679-bloor-west/
Mount Dennis Theatre on Weston Rd, north of Eglinton
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/09/27/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-mount-dennis-on-weston-rd/
Mount Pleasant (Hudson) Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/11/torontos-old-movie-theatrethe-mt-pleasant-hudson/
Nortown Theatre on Eglinton, west of Bathurst St.
The Oakwood Theatre on Oakwood Avenue, near St. Clair Avenue West
The Oakwood Theatre, Part II
http://tayloronhistory.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/torontos-old-oakwood-theatrepart-ii/
Odeon Carlton at Yonge and Carlton Streets
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/08/09/torontos-great-old-theatresthe-odeon-carlton/
Odeon Carlton Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/11/08/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-odeon-fairlawn/
Odeon Danforth Theatre on the Danforth, near Pape Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/11/30/torontos-old-movie-theatresodeon-danforth/
Odeon Humber theatre at Bloor and Jane Streets (now Humber Cinemas)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/09/30/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-odeon-humber-theatre/
Odeon Hyland Theatre at Yonge and St. Clair
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/11/01/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-odeon-hyland/
Odeon Theatre On Queen West in Parkdale
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/23/odeon-theatre-in-parkdaletoronto/
Orpheum Theatre on Queen St., west of Bathurst
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/02/07/torontos-old-movie-theatres-the-orpheum-on-queen-st-w/
Palace Theatre on the Danforth
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/01/torontos-old-movie-housethe-palace-theatre-on-the-danforth/
Palace Theatre on the Danforth near Pape Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/01/torontos-old-movie-housethe-palace-theatre-on-the-danforth/
Panasonic Theatre on Yonge Street
Paradise (Eve’s Paradise)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/12/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-paradise-eves-paradise/
Paramount Theatre on St. Clair West, between Oakwood and Dufferin streets.
Parkdale Theatre on Queen Street, near Roncesvalles
Photodrome (Ace) Theatre on Queen St. West
Pickford (Auditorium, Avenue) Theatre
The Princess Theatre on King Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/03/22/torontos-old-princess-theatre/
Radio City Theatre on Bathurst, south of St. Clair.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/09/13/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-radio-city-theatre/
Regent Theatre on Mt. Pleasant Rd. (the Belsize, the Crest)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/21/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-regent-mt-pleasant/
Revue Theatre at 400 Roncesvalles Avenue
Rex Theatre (the Joy)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/02/20/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-rex-joy-on-queen-st-east/
Rivoli Theatre on Queen Street West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/15/torontos-old-rivoli-theatre-on-queen-west/
Royal Alexandra Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/05/18/torontos-historic-royal-alexandra-theatre/
Royal George Theatre on St. Clair W., west of Dufferin Street.
Royal Theatre on Dundas Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/11/torontos-royal-theatre-on-dundas-street/
Royal Theatre (the Pylon) on College St.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/30/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-royal-theatre-the-pylon/
Runnymede Theatre in the Bloor West Village
Scarboro Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/28/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-scarboro/
Scotiabank Theatre at Richmond and John Streets
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/04/04/torontos-architectural-gemsthe-modern-scotiabank-theatre/
Shea’s Hippodrome Theatre on Bay St. near Queen
Shea’s Victoria (The Victoria) at Victoria and Adelaide Streets
https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/04/17/torontos-old-sheas-victoria-theatre/
St. Clair Theatre, west of Dufferin Street
Teck Theatre on Queen St. East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/25/torontos-teck-theatre-on-queen-st-east/
The Tivoli Theatre on Richmond Street East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/18/torontos-old-movie-housestivoli-on-richmond-st-e/
Toronto’s first movie screening and its first movie theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/03/13/torontos-first-movie-screening-and-first-movie-theatre/
Town Cinema on Bloor East, near Yonge Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/07/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-town-cinema/
University Theatre on Bloor St., west of Bay Street.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/02/24/the-opening-of-torontos-university-theatre-on-bloor-street/
Uptown 5 Multiplex Theatre on Yonge south of Bloor
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/11/25/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-uptown-5-multiplex-theatre/
Vaughan Theatre on St. Clair Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/05/15/torontos-lost-treasuresthe-vaughan-theatre-on-st-clair-ave/
Victory burlesque and movie theatre on Spadina at Dundas:
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/09/08/the-sinful-victory-burlesque-theatre-at-dundas-and-spadina/
Village Theatre on Spadina Road in Forest Hill Village
https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/04/21/village-theatre-on-spadina-roadtoronto/
Westwood Theatre on Bloor Street West near Six Points
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/11/torontos-old-movie-theatresthe-westwood-theatre/
The Willow Theatre on north Yonge St. in Willowdale
York Theatre on Yonge near Bloor St.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/17/the-york-movie-theatre-in-toronto/
Recent publication entitled “Toronto’s theatres and the Golden Age of the Silver Screen,” by the author of this blog. The publication explores 50 of Toronto’s old theatres and contains over 80 archival photographs of the facades, marquees and interiors of the theatres. It also relates anecdotes and stories from those who experienced these grand old movie houses.
To place an order for this book:
Book also available at Chapters/Indigo, the book shop at the Bell Lightbox or University of Toronto Press at 416-667-7791
ISBN # 978.1.62619.450.2
To view the Home Page for this blog: https://tayloronhistory.com/
To view posts about Toronto’s history and its heritage architecture:
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/10/08/links-to-historic-architecture-of-torontotayloronhistory-com/