A Blast From The Past - Old Theatres Pt. 2

Continuing our look back some of Toronto's most popular movie theatres in the seventies... (Part 2 of 4)

The Fine Arts Cinema (Yonge St. at Castlefield)

One of two independent theatres covered here, the Fine Arts deserves attention. A great deal of care has been taken to create a special character quite unlike the usual manufactured dazzle of chain cinemas. Done entirely in muted brown and cream tones and accentuated with good graphics, the Fine Arts has a restrained and subtle ambience that is immediately appealing. The refreshment bar offers several types of espresso and there are chairs throughout the lobby for those viewers with an inclination for quiet conversation before the screening. The sound system is good here and every care is taken to see that the surroundings increase the viewer's enjoyment. The operators of this cinema know what they are doing and do it with style.

The Hollywood Theaters (Yonge St. north of St. Clair)
The designer of the Hollywood should be complimented, for the decor of this cinema complex is simple and stylish. Both the north and south screening rooms are quiet, elegant and comfortable. Prints and equipment are cleaned frequently to maintain quality and if the run is a particularly long one management will replace the original print. Films start on time, end on time, and in general everything runs smoothly. Unlike many other theatres, the Hollywood does not abandon latecomers or leave them to stumble about in the dark. Ushers direct late arrivals to their seats and do so as quietly as possible. An evening at the Hollywood would be almost perfect if someone could persuade the staff to be a little friendlier - on a busy evening it's hard to avoid the feeling of being herded on your way in.

The Imperial Six Cinema (Yonge St. south of Dundas)
This flagship of the Famous Players' fleet is a good illustration of what happens when you gild an architecural lily. The original theatre was done in creditable Louis XVI, but when it was subdivided in the early Seventies the result was a rather uneasy compromise between grace and glitter. Still it's an impressive theatre, and all six screening rooms are clean and comfortably furnished. Their sound head, a Simplex XL, is new and well matched with a Simplex 35 projector. The system is in mint condition and nicely controlled. Control is somewhate less apparent in the audience, however, where rowdies are occasionally permitted to keep up running commentaries on the film with no interference from staff.
More to come.