Author: Eric Veillette

Toronto Cinemas2 Comments

The Rio in 1985

Eric Veillette

The above image is the cover for a 12″ record I dug out of the archives to share with you all. A benefit recording for the Evergreen Mission, behind these tough-looking chaps is the former Rio Cinema on Yonge St., which in 1985, when this photo was taken, was showing Chuck Norris in Missing In Action II, Cat People, and a selection of other films which ran continuously until 5am. The Rio was a 500-seat cinema located at 375 Yonge St. which now houses an adult video and toy store. One of the oldest flicker-houses in the city, it first opened … Continue reading The Rio in 1985

Montreal Cinemas11 Comments

The Laurier Palace Theatre Fire

Eric Veillette

Today we look at the tragic Laurier Palace Theatre fire, which claimed the lives of 78 Montreal children in January of 1927. Many local parents considered the Laurier Palace Theatre a firetrap. Situated between a cafe and a bar, there were no lateral exits; the only way out of the theatre was through exits on either side of the ticket wicket and two rear exits on both sides of the stage, which led out onto a lane at the rear of the building. Few parents were aware their children had lined up to see a movie that cold and sunny … Continue reading The Laurier Palace Theatre Fire

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Creepy Classics presents Frankenstein!

Eric Veillette

Creepy Classics Returns on March 25, 7pm! The Revue’s examination of early sound horror films continues with Boris Karloff’s defining performance in James Whale’s Frankenstein! In 1931, two indisputable horror classics were released. While Tod Browning’s Dracula (shown here in November) may have thrilled audiences, it was James Whale’s Frankenstein that truly frightened them. The film even began with a disclaimer spoken by one of its stars, Edward Van Sloan. It’s a stark, gothic affair, drawing parallels to the German expressionist films of the previous decade.  Boris Karloff, gaunt, ghostly and cadaverous thanks to Jack Pierce’s masterful makeup, played the … Continue reading Creepy Classics presents Frankenstein!

Toronto Cinemas4 Comments

The Carlton

Eric Veillette

Whether old, new, palatial, grimy, spacious or downright claustrophobic, the closure of any Toronto cinema means one less place to see a film, and today’s closing of the Carlton Cinema is no exception. It’s not the first time a theatre has closed in that location, either. In 1974, the Odeon Carlton, a lavish post-war movie house, ended a 26-year run after screening Burt Reynolds in White Lighting. While discussing the Carlton’s demise with Colin Geddes a few weeks back, he noted that it also widens the gap of available cinemas on or around Yonge St. Excluding the Cumberland and Varsity … Continue reading The Carlton

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Creepy Classics Presents Bela Lugosi in Dracula!

Eric Veillette

Dracula (1931) Directed by Tod Browning Written by Hamilton Dean (based on Bram Stoker’s novel) Starring Bela Lugosi, Dwight Frye, David Manners, Edward van Sloan PG | 75 min | 35mm Call it the Anti-Twilight double bill – Creepy Classics returns to The Revue Cinema on December 3 with Tod Browning’s Dracula (1931 – 7pm), followed by the recent telling of the Victorian tale with Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992 – 9:15). Away from Toronto screens for far too long, Bela Lugosi’s performance as the Transylvanian Count helped usher Univeral’s horror films into the sound era. Several films … Continue reading Creepy Classics Presents Bela Lugosi in Dracula!

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Lee’s Palace Shows its True Colours

Eric Veillette

by Eric Veillette Yesterday, Torontoist reported that the colourful amoeba and monster-laden mural which has adorned the facade of Lee’s Palace for over twenty years was taken down, to be replaced with a new creation by original artist Runt. Annex residents may feel it looks temporarily naked without it, but it gives us a better view of the building, which once housed a movie theatre. Designed by architect C. Howard Crane in 1919, it opened as The Bloor Theatre, which was part of the Allen’s national chain of cinemas. This photo, taken in 1921, shows  the westward view of the … Continue reading Lee’s Palace Shows its True Colours