February 1971 – Looking southwest along Yonge from just south of Bloor St (City of Toronto Archives, Ellis Wiley fonds, Fonds 124, File 2, Item 111)
The Uptown Theatre was once located at 764 Yonge St (just south of Bloor St) in downtown Toronto.
Originally Loew’s Uptown Theatre
Opening in 1920 and originally named Loew’s Uptown Theatre, the 2,800-seat movie/vaudeville palace was owned by American motion-picture theatre pioneer Marcus Loew. Mr Loew hired Thomas White Lamb, a Scottish-born American architect, to design the theatre. Mr Lamb was known as the “king of theatres” as he has hundreds to his credit in Canada and the US, including the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres.
The original interior was that of subtle luxury. There was a grand medallion-style dome above the auditorium, decorative arches, elaborate plasterwork, marble railings and classic columns.
1970 – The interior hallway of the renovated and restored Uptown Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Mandel Sprachman Architect fond, Fonds 122, Series 881, File 128 – photo taken at Archives)
Opening night was September 20, 1920. Marcus Loew and his guests were met at Union Station that morning by Mayor Tommy Church. The Mayor accompanied the party to their luxurious King Edward Hotel accommodations. Many celebrities attended opening night, including stars from the theatre’s premiere movie, a silent film titled The Love Flower. There was also an orchestra for musical accompaniment.
A Fire & the Reopening
In the early morning of April 15, 1962, a fire broke out in the theatre’s balcony due to a smouldering cigarette, causing $100,000 in damages. Four months later, the movie house reopened with great fanfare. Outside, Mayor Nathan Phillips was on hand, along with models and special lights. The remodelled theatre was modernized, and its seating capacity was reduced to 2,100 to provide more legroom for patrons.
The Uptown Renos
Circa 1969 – Looking northeast on Balmuto St towards the Uptown’s Backstage Theatre entrance (City of Toronto Archives, Mandel Sprachman fonds 122, Series 881, File 169, Item 1-2 – Roger Jowett photographer)
In 1969, the theatre owner, Nat Taylor, hired architects Mandel Sprachman and Marvin Giller to develop plans to subdivide the Uptown. Lively and colourful graphics were blended with the original luxurious design. The single-screen theatre was converted into a 5-screen venue. It was one of the world’s first multiplexes.
The balcony was transformed into an auditorium, and with its sloped seating, it became one of the first instances of stadium-style seating. Three of the five auditoriums were accessible from Yonge St, while the other two at the Uptown Backstage were accessed from Balumto St. The mini theatres at the Backstage each had less than 200 seats. The exterior entrance to the Backstage featured boldly coloured graphics and rows of bulbs.
The Closure & Collapse
In 2001, Famous Players was ordered to make accessibility updates to the Uptown and Backstage, as well as the Eglinton Theatre. Due to the high costs of the renovations, the company decided to close the theatres. The Uptown had been a significant venue for the Toronto International Film Festival.
In 2003, the Uptown and Backstage theatres were closed, and most of the landmark was demolished that same year. The demolition collapsed the roof of a neighbouring academy. Tragically, a young man died, and several children were injured.
Today, only the entrance of the Uptown Theatre exists. It received heritage status in 2016 and is currently a Rogers store. Where most of the theatre stood, it’s now The Uptown Residences, a 48-storey condo.
Did You Know?
Toronto-born film producer Nat Taylor and his business partner Garth Drabinsky created the Cineplex Odeon Corporation in 1979. The company purchased Famous Players in Canada in 2005, doubling its size to over 160 theatres.
Mandel Sprachman is the son of Abe Sprachman, who was part of the prominent architectural firm Kaplan & Sprachman. The duo designed many theatres in Toronto (including the Eglinton, Bloordale and Allenby) and throughout Canada from the mid-1920s to 1960.
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Uptown Theatre Photos
Circa 1936 – Looking west towards the Uptown Theatre once at 764 Yonge St just south of Bloor St W. On the marquee, ” Theodora Goes Wild,” starring Irene Dunne, Melvyn Douglas and Thomas Mitchell, was playing and released in 1936 (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 163 – photo taken at the Archives)November 9, 2024 – The entrance of the former Uptown Theatre on Yonge St just south of Bloor St W, which is today home to a Rogers storeSeptember 26, 1924 – The Uptown Theatre’s page boys and ushers (City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 13195)Between 1970 and 1972 – Looking south down Yonge St from Bloor St with the Uptown Theatre on the right (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 312, Item 48 – Urban Design photographs)1970 – The interior hallway of the renovated and restored Uptown Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Mandel Sprachman Architect fond, Fonds 122, Series 881, File 128 – photo taken at Archives)1985 – The Uptown Theatre Sign on Yonge St south of Bloor St (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 620, Item 106 – Avard Woolaver photographer) February 1971 – Looking southwest from Yonge St towards Bloor St, notice the Uptown Theatre in the distance. Also, observe Stollery’s Menswear Store located at the corner of Bloor St W and Yonge St (City of Toronto Archives, Ellis Wiley fonds, Fonds 124, File 2, Item 109)February 1971 – Looking southwest along Yonge from just south of Bloor St. The archive photograph features several shops arranged from right to left, including Steak ‘N’ Burger Restaurant, Party Bazaar Greeting Cards, Young’s Photo Supply, Uptown Theatre, Skinner’s Sport Shop, and, in the background, Coles Book Store (City of Toronto Archives, Ellis Wiley fonds, Fonds 124, File 2, Item 111) April 22, 1975 – Looking northwest along Yonge St, just south of Bloor St W. The archive photograph features several establishments from left to right: Manny’s Delicatessen, McDonald’s, John McMahon Ltd Silks & Textiles, Curry’s Art Store, Jolie Femme Company, Your Ultimate Fashion, The Fashion Creator and the Uptown Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 2, Item 11)October 5, 2024 – Looking northwest along Yonge St from just south of Bloor St W. In the distance, notice the arched entrance with a red sign. The entrance is all that remains of the former Uptown Theatre, now home to a Rogers store1997 – Looking northwest up Yonge St from Hayden St with a view of the Uptown Theatre on the right. On the marquee, ” L.A. Confidential,” starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce and “G. I. Jane,” starring Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen and Anne Bancroft, were playing and released in 1997 1993 – The Uptown Theatre on Yonge St was showing “The Fugitive,” starring Harrison Ford, “Son of the Pink Panther,” starring Roberto Benigni and “The Secret Garden,” starring Kate Maberly, were playing and released in 1993. Notice the storefront for Blue Junction and Fellini on the second floor next to the theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 163 – photo taken at the Archives)1971 – The Uptown Theatre on Yonge St was showing, “Little Big Man,” starring Dustin Hoffman, “The Twelve Chairs,” starring Archil Gomiashvili and “Joe,” starring Pete Boyle, were playing and released in 1970, 1971 and 1970, respectively (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 163 – photo taken at the Archives)February 1971 – Looking southwest down Yonge St from north of Bloor St, with the Uptown Theatre sign in the background. Notice part of the Albert Britnell Book Shop in the left foreground and the Pilot Tavern on the right, which was located on Yonge St before the tavern moved to its current location at 22 Cumberland St (City of Toronto Archives, Ellis Wiley fonds, Fonds 124, File 2, Item 108) April 4, 2021 – A grotesque from the former Uptown Theatre at 764 Yonge StCirca 1969 – Looking northeast on Balmuto St towards the Uptown’s Backstage Theatre entrance. On the marquee, “They Shoot Horses Don’t Them,” starring Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin Susannah York and “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” starring Maggie Smith, were playing and released in 1969 (City of Toronto Archives, Mandel Sprachman fonds 122, Series 881, File 169, Item 1-2 – Roger Jowett photographer)1972 – Looking southeast towards the corner of Bloor St W and Balmuto St. Notice the Uptown and Backstage Theatre in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 66, Item 23) February 22, 2020 – Once the entrance to the Uptown Theatre, now Rogers Store at 764 Yonge StApril 4, 2021 – Once the entrance to the Uptown Theatre, now Rogers Store at 764 Yonge St (The One condo tower is being constructed north of the building)April 24, 2022 – Artwork by Toronto-based visual artist Michael Jeremy Brown on a utility box at Jarvis St and Carlton St, commemorating the former Uptown TheatreJune 15, 2021 – The Uptown Residences on Balmuto St, where the Uptown & Backstage Theatres once stoodMay 22, 2022 – Plaque featuring Marcus Loew (1870-1927), founder of Loew Theatres, which included the Uptown Theatre and the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre CentreOctober 10, 1945 – Miss Toronto Kaye Ireland at the Uptown Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 163 – photo taken at the Archives)1939 – The Uptown Theatre on Yonge St. On the marquee, “When Tomorrow Comes,” starring Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne, was playing and released in 1939 (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 163 – photo taken at the Archives)November 1920 – The promenade on the main floor of the Uptown Theatre (Construction Journal)November 1920 – The Auditorium of the Uptown Theatre (Construction Journal)July 1946 – The Uptown Theatre on Yonge St was showing “The Wicked Lady,” starring Margaret Lockwood, James Mason, and Patricia Roc, released in 1945. Additionally, there was a sign for Helens Beauty School next door to the theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 163 – photo taken at the Archives)Between 1920 and 1926 – A billboard for the Uptown Theatre advertising a production of Jack Arthur’s Annual Christmas Pantomime, Sinbad the Sailor (City of Toronto Archives, E.L. Ruddy Company fonds, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 2723)Between 1920 and 1924 – A billboard for the Uptown Theatre advertising a production of Mrs Temple’s Telegram by the Vaughan Glaser Players (City of Toronto Archives, E.L. Ruddy Company fonds, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 1964)1950 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Uptown Theatre (Toronto Public Library)1926 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of Uptown Theatre (Toronto Public Library)1922 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of Loew’s Uptown Theatre (Toronto Public Library)
