According to Cinema Treasures, the Odeon Hyland had 1357 seats, the Hollywood 1321. Aside from relative ease of going to a movie in those days (compare the distance one must walk today in a typical SilverCity), and the pleasure of seeing a movie with a large crowd, urbanistically, these theatres were the lifeblood of the Yonge-St.Clair neighbourhood in terms of supporitng restaurants and retail. Think about over 2000 people coming and going to the movies (twice) on a typical night and on weekend afternoons. That vitality is long gone form Yonge and St. Clair, in the same way it's depated from the Eglinton Theatre neighbourhood. Obviously, the business model for stand-alone cinemas changed, but one can still hope that "event" theatres like the Eglinton and the Capitol will one day return to screening movies (maybe even combine the uses like an old night-club with a floor-show?). Pity it's too late for the theatres of Yonge and St. Clair (and the Odeon Carlton, the Odeon Fairlawn, the Glendale, the University........).
Hollywood Theatre 1943: