Film
Bloor Cinema Documentary Chronicles the Annex Institution
The Bloor Cinema has been a cultural institution and an Annex icon for decades. Many, many decades. Built in 1905 as a vaudeville theatre called The Madison, it has seen days as a 1940's movie palace, a 1960's grindhouse, and a 1970's porn theatre (that incarnation was put out of business by the low prices of a neighbouring adult theatre, the Metro.) The Bloor, as it's known today, now stands as one of Canada's largest independent cinemas.
To celebrate the theatre's centennial in 2005, Peter Kuplowsky and I made a documentary about its storied past. The Bloor premiered to a full house on the building's 100th anniversary and includes interviews with current and former staff members as well as an up close look at architectural drawings, posters and photos of the building from the past and present.
Watch Part 1 of the documentary above. Part 2 is below.
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I'm glad to see the Bloor is still with us.
Though I really wish it was properly restored.
I was disappointed when they redid the Auditorium ceiling all black like a multiplex, taking out the wonderful Art Deco neon lighting.
Of course proper restoration probably would cost more than could be recouped.
Sigh
While I'm on this subject will someone please bring back the Eglinton; I miss it.
The Eglinton building doesn't seem to be used every night but as a movie theatre, it would be in use daily.
Any specifics?
Trivia:
the greatest movie web site on the web is named after the third row at The Bloor!
Oh and Robin, that would be RowThree.com :)
Can you expand on that?
Joanthan C.
http://vargasspeaks.blogspot.com/
Matt James here, freelance reporter/photographer for the Annex Gleaner. We'd like to get a piece into the Annex Gleaner about the Bloor Cinema. My deadline for a story is Dec. 3.
Could you get in touch with me asap at matthewjamesmedia@gmail.com?
Thanks kindly,
Matt