Film
Crashing the Metro Theatre for some Adult Entertainment
Toronto's (historic) Metro Theatre has had a "For Sale" sign on it for as long as I can remember. Faded images of women in lingerie on its façade promise "quality entertainment for adults", an unusual sight next door to the PAT supermarket in Koreatown.
The days when people had to venture out of their homes to view pornography are long gone (or so you'd think). But it's business as usual at the Metro, which means that there is a demographic out there that continues to experience porn in public.
Ever wonder what goes on behind those doors? I went in to find out, while I still had the chance.
I recruited a male friend to escort me that night, in fear that some perv would do I-don't-know-what to me if I was there alone. I was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. We circled around Bloor and Clinton for a while before going in. I'm not sure if we were nervous or if we were scoping out the area to make sure no one we knew would see us there. It was probably a bit of both.
Once inside, the box office is just at your right. A nice fellow sold us tickets at $9 apiece after letting us know that the theatre was closing at 10. Seems a bit early to shut down a porn theatre, but doors open at 10am (for those who like it early in the morning?).
The ticketer moved to the concession stand to sell us goodies. Unappealing packaged deserts and pop cans were the only options on hand, so I opted for a Kit Kat from the vending machine.
At this point, I was very aware of a scent in the air (musty? uriny?). I noticed there was a $1 coat check. A couple of older men were sitting around, quietly drinking coffee in the lobby.
The screening room was larger than expected, seating 275 according to the Metro's website. After our eyes adjusted, my friend counted six or seven people. I could make out some large chandeliers and fans on the ceiling (no air-conditioning here). There are bright multicoloured exit lights, illuminating a path so that patrons have the option of leaving discretely from the back of the theatre.
Here's where it got weird: men seemed to be roaming the aisles, and some were sitting closer and closer, across and behind us. It made me uncomfortable and (sadly) confirmed that women should probably not venture in alone.
The swarming creeped us out enough to leave. Using a passcode number stamped on our tickets, we opened a locked door to go upstairs to the second theatre (I think we might have gotten a freebie premium). This must have been the balcony back in the day (the Metro dates back to 1938). The seats have velvet cushions and squeak, and movie legends like Chaplin and Julie Andrews (in a scene from Mary Poppins) are painted on the walls. Best of all, no one was there.
As for the porn, it was definitely geared for straight men. All of the movies were shot on cheap video, shown in short clips, chock full of "money shots", and from different eras.
The Metro, though clearly a porn theatre, is available for event rentals. I got this blurb directly from their website: "Are you planning a major product launch, presentation, seminar or other prestige event which deserves dramatic impact?" I can confirm that launching a product here would very likely make a dramatic impact.
REMAX is listing the property at $3.5 million, noting its "potential for redevelopment, great retail area, high traffic and very vibrant surrounded by dense, pricey residential pockets." For the brave seeking an adventure in the city, get in before it becomes a hair salon.
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How sticky were the floors?
No stickier than some of the multiplex theatres in Toronto! But to be safe, all of my clothes ended up in the washing machine after the visit.
Except in this case it was duck butter, not Becel on the floor!
I live right across the street from the place. Friends have asked me if I've gone in ever - the joke seems funny until you have to imagine all the guys around probably wanking. At which point the idea turns sad and sour. From my window I see many older men leaving the joint, usually in the morning as well. They adjust their pants, have a cigarette and move on.
classy ZJ...
Did you ask about the Car Batteries? I've always been curious...
That's exactly what it was for me. My friends and I had always said we should go in for a laugh. I guess when I thought about writing this story I was hoping to have some funny material, but the Metro really is a hard core porn theatre.
Everyone needs at outlet.
We should be happy they are not hiding in bushes, punching one out to little children playing in the parks.
Thats far creepier than seeing some old man walk out of a private theatre with a satisfied look upon his face.
Thanks for sharing. I've walked by it a million times and always wondered what lurked inside the doors. I used to go to the Paradise after it became a revue theatre (it was also a porn theatre).
We've always theorized that it's the last refuge for the older men (who share the same urges as any man) who we're from a time before the internet existed.
I'm fascinated by all things seedy and went to the Metro once out of drunken curiosity. The first thing that hit me was the smell and overall grunginess of the place. It was perfect. The movies are the usual hard core straight porn that you can rent or see on the internet. The crowd was, as Carl W. Heindl theorizes, mostly older men wandering around in search of a wank or ... I don't know ... Love? Joy? Meaning? Diversion? I was offered a blow job by one of these friendly gents, but politely turned it down.
It made me think of those Tennessee Williams short stories, "Hard Candy" and "The Mysteries of the Joy Rio."
There were a couple of cross-dressers there that night as well.
I live in the area and I keep hoping that someone would buy the Metro and turn it into a revue theatre. On the other hand, it gives that stretch of Bloor a certain cache. It stands out as a paean of sleaziness amongst all the Korean restaurants and grocers.
I always assumed this place was shut down. It never seemed to be open. But then i realized I'm usually in the area late at night, so the 10pm closing time (kind've early?) finally makes sense. I will be sure to get there a little earlier now. XD.
Everything else in this city tries for the crap "vintage" appeal. Why cant a porn theatre be just as vintage? Long live grainy 8mm porn!!
Actually, in high school (which was not far from said theatre) we got our oldest-looking (bearded) friend to go in and inquire about the car batteries. The guy gave him a super apologetic "Sorry, man, we don't sell those anymore." Anymore?
I always thought the car batteries line was a euphemism. Any guesses what for?
I was in the upstairs theatre many years ago (10?) to see "City on Fire" presented by Collin Geddes. (Saw Tarantino there that night, too). There was the same weird mold/urine smell, but it was worse downstairs. When we were lining up to go in, people in cars were yelling "Perverts!", but I think they knew it wasn't a regular smut show. A memorable night.
I've been tempted for years to pick up some Korean Walnut Cakes, sit in the back row, and do like Peewee Herman (though I'm not sure why any cop in his right mind would arrest a guy for jerking off in a porno theatre)
Did you hear that Peewee Herman just died of a stroke? Actually, it was a series of little strokes! (old joke)
I figure this guy probably either frequents the place or stars in some of its movies:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christoum/3704411688/
The only time I ventured into the Metro was at a screening for Bruce La Bruce's "Super 8 1/2"- a very appropriate setting. If I had the dough, I'd fix it up and screen porn, drive-in shlock and horror movies from past decades.
As a city, Toronto has not treated it's old movie theatres well. We either tear them down or use them as facades for Pottery Barn.
I hope whoever buys it sees its potential and doesn't turn it into a hair salon. Or a Pottery Barn.
Yeah. I was there one night. Tho the choice of venue was a bit nasty. But it was an awesome night.
Collin Geddes was showing a rare print of Master Killer (One of the greatest kung fu flicks of all time). Tarantino was there on a date with Mira Sorvino.
I have to admit I was curious as to how this article might have turned out had Chandra ventured in alone. Upon reading Benjamin Boles' response on NOW's site(http://bit.ly/iJDSI c/o BlogTO Twitter feed), were she not partnered up with a guy it sounds like it would have been less eventful.
I went there to see NEW YORK DOLLS and noticed a number of elderly chinese gentlemen scattered throughout the theater.Some promoter booked the theater for one night and booked a band.Advertised on the Spadina marquee in bold letters was,1 night only "New York Dolls"sold out.Promoter was thrilled with a sell out that night.However,the gentlemen were still glued to their seats awaiting the "DOLLS" that never came.It was a sad night in chinatown.
Theatre is owned by Famous Players - but you're not supposed to know that.
I love articles like this... intrepid reporter goes to a porn theatre and dutifully informs us that the movies they play are... wait for it... hardcore porn! geared towards straight men of all things! and the clientele are, who would've guessed, lonely guys looking for anonymous sex!
So, basically what goes in there is exactly what anyone would expect. Surprise!
What exactly did you expect to find?
I found Boles' intro to the article interesting:
"It seems like every six months or so, an adventurous Toronto writer attempts to infiltrate the Metro Theatre to write an expose on what exactly goes on behind those mysterious doors."
Chandra's is the only article I've ever read about the Metro. Are there any other, possibly different takes on the theatre?
(Correction: Master Killer not City on Fire. City on Fire was another night)
I haven't seen any other articles either, but I've read the 'every 6 months or so' journalistic device countless times. It's clearly used to belittle and lump writers into a group that is painted as naive and unprepared. While Boles had merit in revealing further information, the beginning is rather unjust.
It's fascinating to know what the average conservative woman is actually thinking when entering a dungeon of male sanctuary, filled with semen-fog and zombies with their hands in their pockets. If someone's doing that every six months I'll sure as hell read it.
It was rather interesting for me to read this post. Thank you for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon. BTW check out sexy girls at A Level Escorts
though there websites that are free and easy to use, also for older men, it sounds strange to me that they go there because they don't know internet.
I'm not surprised by the patrons trying to get a closer look - there are women who attend adult cinemas with the express purpose of performing for the audience. I'm not sure if those goes on in Toronto but I've seen it in Amsterdam and London.
If you don't like what happens at the Metro Theatre, then don't go in there !! It's a safe place for men and trannys (and swinging couples) to meet and have anonymous sex. What's wrong with that ? We're not suggesting that you try it, we're saying mind your own business. By the way, the same stuff happens at gay and lesbian bath houses across the City. You have an issue with that too ?
As for the reporter who went in to write a story...what a mindless amateur. Good luck with your career.
Sorry to hear that the Metro Theatre went porno! Are there any other "oldtimers" on the Internet who remember the days whe the Metro Theatre was a respectable family theatre that ran westerns, comedies, war pictures, horror and sci fi films?
My brother and I grew up in the Bloor Street and Manning Avenue area in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the Metro Theatre was our neighbourhod movie theatre. Back in those days we used to see a 6 cartoons and a double feature at Saturday matiees.
Sometimes our parents or other adults would take us to the Metro at evening shows. Back in those days (pre-1962)movie theatres were not open on Sundays, and the Metro would have a change of program twice a week (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday,then a new program for Thursday-Friday-Saturday)
Children's admission price was 25 cents. My brother who is 6 years older than I am, remembers when the children's admission was 15 cents, and adult admission was 90 cents.
We got our love of Hollywood films from attending the Metro Theatre, as well as from 2 other local theatres, the Alhambra and the Midtown (now called the Bloor Cinema)
At the Metro we saw films like "The Alamo" "The Sons of Katie Elder" and horror movies lie "The Raven" "Tarantula". The Metro also occasionally ran older films from the 30s and 40s ie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello comedies.
We have fond memories of the Metro Theatre as it was a significant part of our childhood.
Sorry to hear that the Metro Theatre went porno! Are there any other "oldtimers" on the Internet who remember the days whe the Metro Theatre was a respectable family theatre that ran westerns, comedies, war pictures, horror and sci fi films?
My brother and I grew up in the Bloor Street and Manning Avenue area in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the Metro Theatre was our neighbourhod movie theatre. Back in those days we used to see a 6 cartoons and a double feature at Saturday matiees.
Sometimes our parents or other adults would take us to the Metro at evening shows. Back in those days (pre-1962)movie theatres were not open on Sundays, and the Metro would have a change of program twice a week (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday,then a new program for Thursday-Friday-Saturday)
Children's admission price was 25 cents. My brother who is 6 years older than I am, remembers when the children's admission was 15 cents, and adult admission was 90 cents.
We got our love of Hollywood films from attending the Metro Theatre, as well as from 2 other local theatres, the Alhambra and the Midtown (now called the Bloor Cinema)
At the Metro we saw films like "The Alamo" "The Sons of Katie Elder" and horror movies lie "The Raven" "Tarantula". The Metro also occasionally ran older films from the 30s and 40s ie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello comedies.
We have fond memories of the Metro Theatre as it was a significant part of our childhood.
Sorry to hear that the Metro Theatre went porno! Are there any other "oldtimers" on the Internet who remember the days whe the Metro Theatre was a respectable family theatre that ran westerns, comedies, war pictures, horror and sci fi films?
My brother and I grew up in the Bloor Street and Manning Avenue area in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the Metro Theatre was our neighbourhod movie theatre. Back in those days we used to see a 6 cartoons and a double feature at Saturday matiees.
Sometimes our parents or other adults would take us to the Metro at evening shows. Back in those days (pre-1962)movie theatres were not open on Sundays, and the Metro would have a change of program twice a week (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday,then a new program for Thursday-Friday-Saturday)
Children's admission price was 25 cents. My brother who is 6 years older than I am, remembers when the children's admission was 15 cents, and adult admission was 90 cents.
We got our love of Hollywood films from attending the Metro Theatre, as well as from 2 other local theatres, the Alhambra and the Midtown (now called the Bloor Cinema)
At the Metro we saw films like "The Alamo" "The Sons of Katie Elder" and horror movies lie "The Raven" "Tarantula". The Metro also occasionally ran older films from the 30s and 40s ie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello comedies.
We have fond memories of the Metro Theatre as it was a significant part of our childhood.
Sorry to hear that the Metro Theatre went porno! Are there any other "oldtimers" on the Internet who remember the days whe the Metro Theatre was a respectable family theatre that ran westerns, comedies, war pictures, horror and sci fi films?
My brother and I grew up in the Bloor Street and Manning Avenue area in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the Metro Theatre was our neighbourhod movie theatre. Back in those days we used to see a 6 cartoons and a double feature at Saturday matiees.
Sometimes our parents or other adults would take us to the Metro at evening shows. Back in those days (pre-1962)movie theatres were not open on Sundays, and the Metro would have a change of program twice a week (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday,then a new program for Thursday-Friday-Saturday)
Children's admission price was 25 cents. My brother who is 6 years older than I am, remembers when the children's admission was 15 cents, and adult admission was 90 cents.
We got our love of Hollywood films from attending the Metro Theatre, as well as from 2 other local theatres, the Alhambra and the Midtown (now called the Bloor Cinema)
At the Metro we saw films like "The Alamo" "The Sons of Katie Elder" and horror movies lie "The Raven" "Tarantula". The Metro also occasionally ran older films from the 30s and 40s ie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello comedies.
We have fond memories of the Metro Theatre as it was a significant part of our childhood.
I'm devastated to just be learning that the Metro has closed. If it closed 2 years ago I guess it's been a good bit longer since I've been there than I'd like to think. While most of the entries here and a couple of other sites I've just read talk about "what goes on behind those mysterious doors" I knew very well. Depending on what was happening in my life I'd hit the Metro anywhere from 2 to 6+ times a year, but lately I've moved outside the GTA so not very doable.
I loved the Metro, I'd been going there for about 20 years. I was always planning a trip back but somehow never got around to it. I had more good times in there than I can remember.
A few of the key frases I've read; "If you don't want to know then do go"; "The audience weren't trouble makers"; "A safe quite place were people could go and not disturb the rest of society"; and so on.
I wish I could have visited once last time. Good bye Metro Theater, thanks for all the great times.