Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

There was a time when neighbourhood movie theatres were prevalent in communities across Toronto. However, these small local movie houses began disappearing, in part due to the advent of television and as a result of the opening of new, large multiplex theatres in the 1970s. Today only a few "nabes" remain in Toronto.

The Avenue Theatre was built near the corner of Eglinton and Avenue Roads, one of several theatres that once operated in the Forest Hill area. It was anchored at Eglinton Avenue and Braemar, across the street from The Eglinton, a renowned art deco theatre that survives today as a venue for social and corporate events. Built in 1937, The Avenue was a much simpler structure, featuring the traditional marquee lettering. It was one of many independent theatres in Toronto that competed against larger companies including Famous Players, Odeon, and the 20th Century chain.

In this 1939 photograph, people are seen waiting to see the highly successful film, Victoria the Great. Young Victoria was portrayed by Anna Neagle, an acclaimed British born stage and screen actress, who delighted visitors by making an appearance at The Avenue when the film was running that year. Standing outside are several members of the Toronto Black Watch Association, a branch that still operates today as part of the oldest highland regiment in Canada.

The Avenue was eventually swallowed up by Famous Players but never gained the same prominence of other neighbourhood theatres. Not unlike dozens of its contemporaries, the Avenue disappeared, and today the site is home to a modern structure.

Research by Maya Bilbao
Photo Research by Gary Switzer of MOD Developments