1919 – Allen’s Danforth Theatre, Toronto, Canada

Opened in August 1919, but by 1923, the Allen Theatres chain was facing financial pressures, and most of its theatres were acquired by the Famous Players chain. The name of Allen’s Danforth Theatre was changed to the Century Theatre and it remained a first-run movie house until the late 1960s. Later served as a Greek language cinema, the Titania Theatre, from 1970 to 1978. Now a live music venue.

“The exterior is of tapestry brick and cut stone, and simple in character; and the entrance is under a wrought iron canopy into the lobby, having panelled walls and a red quarry tile floor, and through a connecting foyer characterized by dignified lines and finished with white enamel trim, marble and chaste plaster detail.

In the decorative treatment of the interior throughout, all elements which might tend to distract have been carefully eliminated, and the result is a harmonious and inviting effect.

Evidence of this is particularly to be seen in the auditorium, which is in modified Adams design, the color scheme consisting of gray, blue and old rose tones, and the plaster ornaments being richly detailed and very effectively done. The ceiling is oval in shape, conforming to the contour of the walls and having drop lights at the centre and the four corners. The wall panels are of tapestry silk, while further adding to the effect are French windows set high on the sides and draped with gold trimmed old rose velour, which is also used for the curtains of the proscenium and the boxes.

Altogether the auditorium seats about 1,600, and all but 400 of the seats are on the lower floor, the interior being designed entirely free from posts, and with sufficient floor elevation to insure perfect screen vision from any part of the house.”
Construction, December 1919

Share!

More!