College Theatre – Once in Dufferin Grove

By
TorontoJourney416
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The College Theatre was once located at 960 College St (at Dovercourt Rd on the northwest corner) in the Dufferin Grove neighbourhood of Toronto.

Built in 1919, architect Charles Howard Crane designed the College Theatre for Jay and Jules Allen. It was one of a few theatres built in the city by the Allens, pioneers in the Canadian movie industry. Opening in early 1920, the theatre had a 1650-seating capacity.

Famous Players later operated the College Theatre until it closed in 1967. The building was subsequently sold, demolished and replaced with the present-day structure.

Other theatres in the city that were part of the Allen brothers’ chain include:

  • Allen, later the Tivoli once at Richmond St E and Victoria St
  • Allen’s Beach once at Queen St E and Waverley Rd
  • Allen’s Beaver once at Dundas St W, east of Pacific Ave
  • Allen’s Bloor, today’s Lee’s Palace at Bloor St W, east of Bathurst St
  • Allen’s Danforth, today’s Danforth Music Hall at Danforth Ave and Broadview Ave
  • Allen’s Parkdale once at Queen St W and Triller Ave
  • Allen’s St Clair once at Dufferin St and St Clair Ave W

College Theatre Photos

1947 - College Theatre was once located at 960 College St and Dovercourt Rd on the northwest corner. On the marquee, "Johnny O'Clock," starring Dick Powell and Evelyn Keyes, and "Gallant Journey," starring Glenn Ford and Janet Blair, were playing. On the right side of the photo is a bowling alley which later became the Matador Ballroom
1947 – College Theatre was once located at 960 College St and Dovercourt Rd on the northwest corner. On the marquee, “Johnny O’Clock,” starring Dick Powell and Evelyn Keyes, and “Gallant Journey,” starring Glenn Ford and Janet Blair, were playing. On the right side of the photo is a bowling alley which later became the Matador Ballroom (Archives of Ontario 10012587)
1967 - Looking northwest towards College Theatre, once located at College St and Dovercourt Rd. On the marquee, “Busy Body,” starring Sid Caesar, and “Warning Shot,” starring David Janssen, were playing
1967 – Looking northwest towards College Theatre, once located at College St and Dovercourt Rd. On the marquee, “Busy Body,” starring Sid Caesar, and “Warning Shot,” starring David Janssen, were playing (Toronto Public Library LOCHIST-SA-033)
1947 - Concession stand at College Theatre
1947 – Concession stand at College Theatre (Archives of Ontario I0012589)
1947 – The auditorium at the College Theatre
1947 – The auditorium at the College Theatre (Archives of Ontario I0012588)
Between 1920 and 1926 - Looking southwest from Dovercourt Rd towards College Theatre. The building on the left that was once a bank is today home to Starbucks Coffee
Between 1920 and 1926 – Looking southwest from Dovercourt Rd towards College Theatre. The building on the left that was once a bank is today home to Starbucks Coffee (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 2051)
1920 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the College Theatre
1920 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the College Theatre (Toronto Public Library)
2022 - College Theatre was once located at 960 College St and Dovercourt Rd on the northwest corner. The building was torn down and was replaced with the present-day building
2022 – College Theatre was once located at 960 College St and Dovercourt Rd on the northwest corner. The building was torn down and was replaced with the present-day building
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