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Topic: Theatres with a massive lobby

Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 02-06-2014 12:45 PM

And when did Eaton Center go 35mm?

Found this at Cinematreasures

To say I hated working this theatre (as a projectionist) would be the understatement of the Century (or Simplex or Cinemeccanica). This was the single most wretched job an operator could get assigned to in the Toronto Local in the 80s and 90s, in my opinion. It was originally 16mm only and ran with non-union operators. King Garth then put in 35mm equipment in throughout. The problem is, many of these abominations masquerading as auditoria were equipped with rear-screen projection equipment, a cobbled-together mini-platter system or MUTT arrangement, and three front-surface mirrors. Did I mention the projectors sat on the floor? Did I mention the rats and mice in the booth? There were three sections (six regular ops). Front section on the main floor and the three downstairs booths, back-half main floor and second floor. Number 5 was retrofitted with a Cinemeccanica Vic-X (the second machine out of the Humber downstairs when they put a platter in there). Number 5’s booth and the downstairs corridor for 15-16-17 were not bad. When I heard it closed I so wanted to ride a bulldozer through the lobby and personally tear the place to rubble.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/850/comments

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-06-2014 02:15 PM

The V 10 went in in 88 or 89 as I bought and removed the prevost favorite and installed it in the century theatre in lindsay The humber was still twin machine then the second machine from the humber was sent west along with the albion mall vic10s

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 02-23-2014 06:07 PM

quote: Mark Ogden
For someone who used to visit great old Toronto theaters like the University, Uptown, Eglinton, Glendale, it was horrible.

Mark, I thought you might appreciate some of these:

Early 1970s top secret Dolby Atmos testing, "Eat your heart out" Bobby [Big Grin]

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Mark Ogden
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 943
From: Little Falls, N.J.
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-23-2014 07:08 PM

I only LOVED the Uptown. The balcony screen was my favorite, and if I recall correctly, was the only THX screen in the house. I remember Rick Long, who was with Best Theatre Supply, was the projectionist there towards the end, early 1990s or so. My then girlfriend and I used to see a movie here, then run up to the Varsity or Cumberland and catch another. Sometimes we used to stop for something quick to eat at Toby's on Bloor, because Toby always used to run over to her when she came in (Toby was a dog, for those wondering). Thanks for posting the shots. [thumbsup]

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Michael Coate
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1904
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 02-23-2014 09:31 PM

quote: Gordon McLeod
Eaton Centre...it had a Prevost Favorite70...used there for Tarzan in 70

I assume you're referring to "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" (1984).

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 02-24-2014 12:52 AM

quote: Mark Ogden
if I recall correctly, was the only THX screen in the house.

Yes it was the only THX auditorium in the house. Uptown 1 and Uptown 2 were both equipped with 70mm, not sure if you recall. I remember seeing a lot of movies back in the day at the Uptown, boy have times changed. Uptown did not get a THX certification until sometime in 1990's, the Eglinton was THX approved in 80's and so was the Sussex Center when it opened its doors in 1987.

Here is the Eglinton:

Here is the Glendale:

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-24-2014 10:31 AM

The balcony auditorium pix is of the cinema2 of the imperial 6 not the uptown
Uptown 1 originally had the first JJ serrial 1-2-3 it was a 3 machine booth the third machine had a Hycandescent lamphouse the two used daily had X60 the sound system pre THX was a CP100 with a SA4 surround adapter and a home built set of crossovers for the splitsurround format 43
The amps at that time were cerwin vega the carbon machine was used for 35mm trailors before a 70mm feature and the anthem at the end of the day
The centurys were replaced with 2 Vic 8 and a ORC platter and a CP200 with Bryston 4B amps
interesting the JJ were sold to Steve Kramms shipped to Florida then sold to the Lyric in Kitchener Ontario and re installed there with xenex 1 lamphouses and a EPRAD Super StarScope Galaxy soundsystem When it closed they were sold and installed somewhere in the states before Mark Gulbrandson bought them and sold them to me shipped back to toronto and reinstalled at the Danforth Music Hall where I assume they still sit a well travelled machine

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Victor Liorentas
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 800
From: london ontario canada
Registered: May 2009

posted 02-24-2014 10:43 AM

Wow!You could make an epic movie about the JJ's travel's! Shot in 70mm! [Big Grin]

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 02-24-2014 04:57 PM

quote: Gordon McLeod
The balcony auditorium pix is of the cinema2 of the imperial 6 not the uptown
Uptown 1 originally had the first JJ serrial 1-2-3 it was a 3 machine booth the third machine had a Hycandescent lamphouse the two used daily had X60 the sound system pre THX was a CP100 with a SA4 surround adapter and a home built set of crossovers for the splitsurround format 43
The amps at that time were cerwin vega the carbon machine was used for 35mm trailors before a 70mm feature and the anthem at the end of the day

quote: Mark Ogden
I only LOVED the Uptown.

Looks like I made an error, here is the Uptown 1

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