Links to posts that have appeared on tayloronhistory.com about Toronto’s old movie theatres since the blog commenced in 2011.
Academy Theatre on Bloor West at St. Clarens
Ace Theatre on Danforth (see Iola)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/12/the-iola-ace-regal-theatretoronto/
Ace Theatre on Queen near Bay
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
Allen’s Danforth
Apollo (Crystal) Theatre on Dundas West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/08/20/torontos-apollo-crystal-theatre-on-dundas-street-west/
Arcadian (Variety) Theatre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/09/07/torontos-old-odeon-carlton-theatre-in-1956/
Auditorium Theatre
Avalon Theatre on Danforth Avenue
Avenue Theatre (see Pickford)
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/
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/
Belsize Theatre (see Regent)
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/
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/
Cannon Theatre (see Ed Mirvish)
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 on Dundas West (see Duchess)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/02/07/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-duchess-centre/
Circle Theatre on Yonge Street
http://tayloronhistory.wordpress.com/2014/11/29/torontos-old-circle-theatre/
Clyde Theatre (Avalon)
College Theatre at College St. and Dovercourt Rd.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/06/14/torontos-old-college-theatre/
Colonial Theatre (see Bay Theatre)
Colony Theatre at Vaughan Road and Eglinton Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/09/10/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-colony-at-eglinton-and-vaughan/
Community Theatre on Woodbine Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/07/22/old-movie-houses-of-toronto/
Coronet Theatre (Savoy) on Yonge St. at Gerrard
Crest Theatre (see Regent)
Crown Theatre on Gerrard St. East
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/07/17/the-crown-theatre-toronto-on-gerrard-st-east/
Crystal Theatre (see Apollo)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/08/20/torontos-apollo-crystal-theatre-on-dundas-street-west/
Cumberland In Yorkville
https://tayloronhistory.com/2016/03/22/torontos-old-cumberland-four-theatre/
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/
Eve’s Paradise (see Paradise)
Garden Theatre at 290 College Street.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/09/29/discovering-two-of-torontos-lost-movie-theatres/
Gay Theatre (see Blue Bell)
Gem Theatre (see Brock)
Gerrard Theatre (see Bonita)
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/
Grand Opera House on Adelaide Street West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2016/03/14/grand-opera-house-on-adelaide-street-toronto/
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/
Guild Theatre (see Greenwood)
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/
Hudson Theatre (see Mount Pleasant)
Imperial and Downtown Theatres on Yonge Street (archival photos)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/02/04/archival-photos-of-torontos-old-theatres-give-reality-to-historical-novel/Imperial
Imperial Theatre (see Ed Mirvish)
Iola (Ace, Regal) on Danforth Avenue
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-Bac Theatre (see Adelphi)
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/
Loew’s Downtown Theatre (see Elgin)
Lyndhurst Theatre (see Esquire)
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/
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.
Oakwood Theatre on Oakwood Avenue, near St. Clair Avenue West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/09/28/torontos-old-movie-housesthe-oakwood-theatre-at-st-clair-and-oakwood/ 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/
Opera House (see La Plaza)
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/
Palton Theatre (see Empire)
Panasonic Theatre on Yonge Street
Pantages Theatre (see Ed Mirvish)
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
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/
Regal Theatre (see Iola)
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/
Rialto Theatre (see Empire)
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
Savoy Theatre (see Coronet)
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
State Theatre (see Bloordale)
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/
Variety Theatre (see Arcadian)
Vaughan Theatre on St. Clair Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/05/15/torontos-lost-treasuresthe-vaughan-theatre-on-st-clair-ave/
Victoria (Shea’s Victoria)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2015/04/17/torontos-old-sheas-victoria-theatre/
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/
Note: I welcome comments from reader who are willing to share their memories. As well, I always appreciate it when corrections or other opnions are offered. I can be contacted at [email protected]
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/
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
Doug,
Great article and photos on the Glendale theatre. I remember going there as a kid in the 1960s to watch the horror flicks they used to show at that time and admission for a kid was 25 cents, this was one of my favorite theatres.
I believe the film 2001 A Space Odyssey had played there for at least 4 yrs or more.
Its too bad it was demolished in 1975 and there is Nissan car dealership on that site now.
You have missed the Avalon theater at Luttrell and Danforth South East corner (the building that’s there now) and the Ideal theater 214 Main St just north of Gerrard St that building was also the theater.
Trying to identify and place a small movie theatre on Dundas Street, September 1923, shown on pp. 50 – 51 of “Toronto Beween the Wars” by Charles Cotter. The film playing was “Let ‘er Run” with Dorothy Devore and no hits in Star or Globe databases for the film, for Devore or for the theatre. Looks as if the front entrance was through a curtain! Think that my father might be one of the kids in the photo.
By the way, we did research and published on Luigi Romanelli, who built the Paramount Theatre on St. Clair and the Village Theatre on north Spadina Road, and have some specs of both. See <> for descriptions.