Odeon Danforth Theatre, later the Rex Danforth

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1948 - Odeon Danforth Theatre, later Rex Danforth, was once located at 635 Danforth Ave, west of Pape Ave on the south side. On the marquee, “The October Man,” starring John Mills, Joan Greenwood, and Edward Chapman, was playing
1948 – Odeon Danforth Theatre, later Rex Danforth, was once located at 635 Danforth Ave, west of Pape Ave on the south side (Archives of Ontario I0012598)

Odeon Danforth Theatre, later Rex Danforth, was once located at 635 Danforth Ave (west of Pape Ave on the south side) in The Danforth/Greektown neighbourhood of Toronto.

Built in 1946/47 and designed by architect Jay Isadore English, the movie house opened on April 16, 1948. Along with the ticket booth, the exterior featured a tall illuminated sign and an unconventional marquee gently curved towards the entrance.

The auditorium was a shade of blue/green and had scarlet seats. Large decorative scrolls flared towards the ceiling, and gold drapes extended around the side walls. The main floor seating had extra leg room, while the balcony had a push-back style of seats. Roly Young, a movie critic for The Globe and Mail, mentioned: “…the theatre one of the most beautiful I’ve seen.”

The Danforth was one of five theatres that were part of the Odeon chain, owned by J Arthur Rank. The other four included the Humber, Carlton, Fairlawn and the Hyland.

In the late-1970s, the theatre was renamed the Rex Danforth and showed Greek films. On February 20, 1979, The Clash took the stage at the otherwise peaceful theatre for an exciting concert.

The building was sold in 1994 for $1.5 million and later became home to Extreme Fitness. Today, GoodLife Fitness occupies the former theatre.

Odeon Danforth Theatre Photos

1948 - Opening night of the Odeon Danforth Theatre. On the marquee, “Jassy,” starring Margaret Lockwood, Patricia Roc, and Dennis Price, was playing
1948 – Opening night of the Odeon Danforth Theatre. On the marquee, “Jassy,” starring Margaret Lockwood, Patricia Roc, and Dennis Price, was playing (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster Fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 119)
1948 - Odeon Danforth Theatre, later Rex Danforth, was once located at 635 Danforth Ave, west of Pape Ave on the south side. On the marquee, “The October Man,” starring John Mills, Joan Greenwood, and Edward Chapman, was playing
1948 – Odeon Danforth Theatre, later Rex Danforth, was once located at 635 Danforth Ave, west of Pape Ave on the south side. On the marquee, “The October Man,” starring John Mills, Joan Greenwood, and Edward Chapman, was playing (Archives of Ontario I0012598)
1948 - Odeon Danforth Theatre lobby and staircase to the balcony
1948 – Odeon Danforth Theatre lobby and staircase to the balcony (Archives of Ontario RG 56-11)
1948 - The auditorium and screen at the Odeon Danforth Theatre. Notice the decorative scrolls and the stage drapes continuing around the side walls
1948 – The auditorium and screen at the Odeon Danforth Theatre. Notice the decorative scrolls and the stage drapes continuing around the side walls (Archives of Ontario RG 56-11)
1950 – Looking east along Danforth Ave towards Pape Ave. On the Odeon Danforth Theatre marquee, “On Approval,” starring Clive Brook and Beatrice Lillie and “Cavalcade,” starring Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook, were playing. Notice the Palace Theatre in the distance on the left
1950 – Looking east along Danforth Ave towards Pape Ave. On the Odeon Danforth Theatre marquee, “On Approval,” starring Clive Brook and Beatrice Lillie and “Cavalcade,” starring Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook, were playing. Notice the Palace Theatre in the distance on the left (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster Fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 119)
2022 - GoodLife Fitness at 635 Danforth Ave was once home to Odeon Danforth Theatre
2022 – GoodLife Fitness at 635 Danforth Ave was once home to Odeon Danforth Theatre
1949 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Odeon Danforth Theatre
1949 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Odeon Danforth Theatre (Toronto Public Library)
1986 - The Toronto Yellow Pages showing the address and phone number of the Rex Danforth Theatre
1986 – The Toronto Yellow Pages showing the address and phone number of the Rex Danforth Theatre (Toronto Public Library)
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