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UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we will both be highlighting a historic photo of the city's people, places and events, and will be telling the stories behind them.
Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developements and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research. This week's photo:
THE AVENUE THEATRE There was a time when neighbourhood movie theatres were prevalent in communities across Toronto. However, these small local movie houses began disappearing, in part due to the advent of television and as a result of the opening of new, large multiplex theatres in the 1970's. Today only a few “nabes” remain in Toronto. The Avenue Theatre was built near the corner of Eglinton and Avenue road, one of several theatres that once operated in the Forest Hill area. It was anchored at Eglinton Avenue and Braemar, across the street from The Eglinton, a renowned art deco theatre that survives today as a venue for social and corporate events. Built in 1937, The Avenue was a much simpler structure, featuring the traditional marquee lettering. It was one of many independent theatres in Toronto that competed against larger companies including Famous Players, Odeon, and the 20th Century chain. In this 1939 photograph, people are seen waiting to see the highly successful film, Victoria the Great. Young Victoria was portrayed by Anna Neagle, an acclaimed British born stage and screen actress, who delighted visitors by making an appearance at The Avenue when the film was running that year. Standing outside are several members of the Toronto Black Watch Association, a branch that still operates today as part of the oldest highland regiment in Canada. The Avenue was eventually swallowed up by Famous Players but never gained the same prominence of other neighbourhood theatres. Not unlike dozens of its contemporaries, the Avenue disappeared, and today the site is home to a modern structure.
Sources:
http://www.32elvismovies.com/?m=200811 imdb.com The Nabes: Toronto's wonderful neighbourhood movie houses. P. 30
http://www.blackwatchcanada.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=32〈=fr
author:interchange42
posted:2010-08-30 09:48:43
