Tag: odeon carlton

Toronto Cinemas1 Comment

Dinner and a movie at the Odeon Carlton

Eric Veillette

One of the few things missing in action when the Odeon Toronto (later Odeon Carlton) opened near Yonge and Carlton in September of 1948 was its much touted restaurant. Located on the mezzanine of the 2300 seat theatre, the Carlton Restaurant’s opening was delayed due to problems with existing theatre regulations. Bear in mind that in 1948, snack bars were not yet commonplace, so imagine the tizzy the Theatres Branch must have had when Odeon Canada proposed a spacious restaurant serving “light lunches, afternoon teas, evening dinners and late snack.” The first of its kind in Canada, the restaurant still … Continue reading Dinner and a movie at the Odeon Carlton

Toronto Cinemas1 Comment

Olsen & Johnson at the Odeon Carlton

Eric Veillette

Here’s a shot of the interior of the former Odeon Carlton, from September of 1948, featuring Vaudeville act Olsen & Johnson, some creepy clowns and a bunch of furries behind the Carlton’s fantastic mural. The comedy team and their perverted pals were in town performing on the grandstand at the CNE. A special benefit was held at the theatre, located near the corner of Yonge and Carlton. Days beforehand, on September 9, the mighty British cinema chain opened its finest Canadian movie house – dubbed “The Showplace of the Dominion” – with a premiere of Oliver Twist, starring Alec Guinness … Continue reading Olsen & Johnson at the Odeon Carlton

Toronto Cinemas19 Comments

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