Author: Eric Veillette

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Remembering the Summer of ’89

Eric Veillette

by Eric Veillette This evening, the Bat Signal will illuminate the Annex area of uptown Toronto, but don’t expect to see the Caped Crusader skyjacking out of First Canadian Place with some white-collar criminal. Instead, you’ll find him on the screen at the Bloor Cinema for a 35mm presentation of Tim Burton’s Batman. I haven’t seen it on a big screen since the Harbourfront Centre did an outdoor series of Burton’s films during the summer of 2003. Tonight’s free screening will be following a free advanced screening of Watchmen. The buildup during the month of June of 1989 was exhilarating … Continue reading Remembering the Summer of ’89

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The Eaton Centre Cineplex

Eric Veillette

This week, we take a break from our usual musings over Art Deco and Atmospheric palaces and instead concentrate on a more recent phenomena — the multiplex cinema! by Jesse Hawken They knocked down the above-ground parking lot at the Eaton Centre a few years ago and with it, the late, not particularly lamented Cineplex theatre that was situated at the base of the parkade. The Eaton Centre Cineplex was the first mega-multiplex theatre in the world. There were 18 screens when it opened in 1979, expanding to 21 a few years later. When the place first opened it was … Continue reading The Eaton Centre Cineplex

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Clara Bow at the Uptown Cinema

Eric Veillette

Get Your Man, a Paramount Picture starring Clara Bow and Charles “Buddy” Rogers, premiered at Toronto’s Uptown Theatre on December 24, 1927. The duo had already appeared together in Wings earlier that same year. The film was your typical mixed-up 20s farce, with Bow trying to win Rogers’ heart. The only problem is that Rogers has been bethrothed to a family friend since childhood, and they’re now set to be married. The film originally ran for 60 minutes; Unfortunately, the print held by the Library of Congress is missing the second and third of six reels, so until the remnants … Continue reading Clara Bow at the Uptown Cinema

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Holiday greetings from Odeon Theatres

Eric Veillette

Odeon Theatres had much to be thankful for in 1948, as their flagship theatre, the Odeon Toronto, was built near the corner of Yonge and Carlton. The mighty British cinema chain opened its new theatre – dubbed “The Showplace of the Dominion” – on September 9 with a premiere of Oliver Twist, starring Alec Guinness as Fagin. The Odeon Toronto, with 2300 green and gold seats, was an unconventional beast built at a time when most of the new theatres were modest in both size and extravagance. Its development signaled a near-renaissance of the Movie Palace, not seen since the … Continue reading Holiday greetings from Odeon Theatres

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Creepy Classics presents White Zombie!

Eric Veillette

Silent Toronto is hoping to inject a little classic horror into Toronto’s October film calendar, so we present our first-annual Halloween Creepy Classics Film Event! WHAT IS IT? A special 16mm screening of the Halperin Bros. classic White Zombie. WHEN IS IT? Monday, October 27. Doors open at 7:30, and please arrive early – seating is limited! Admission is only $8.00! Show will start at 8:30! WHERE IS IT? Cine-Cycle! Located down the lane behind 129 Spadina (near Richmond), Cine-Cycle is a bicycle repair shop by day and micro-cinema by night! A snack bar will be available, and owner Martin … Continue reading Creepy Classics presents White Zombie!