Just an intermission for The Royal Cinema

The Festival Cinema is slated to shut up shop on Friday. The chain shows older movies, film fest favourites, and out of the theatres but not on DVD yet flicks. The Revue in my neighbourhood is one of the theatres and all of them are older movie houses, the only ones left in Toronto (aside from the independant Bloor Cinema) , that have a sense of history and character to them. It was with a heavy heart that I read that the end of an icon was nigh.

But here's some good news for movie buffs and cine-philes: The Royal on College has been bought and will remain a movie theatre, although it will likely "be closed this summer as the new management takes over and renovates the basement and projection booth, but it could reopen as early as September". Read the story on the Torontoist blog for the full details, but this is great news. In addition to being a repertory cinema, The Royal hosts many of the smaller, but no less important, film festivals, such as the Cinéfranco french language festivall and Resfest Canada 2006 screenings, as well as Kung Fu Fridays. Hopefully the tradition of hosting the smaller festivals continues.


The neighbourhood here is rallying to save The Revue from getting sold and turned into condos or god knows what - a Starbucks or something. The Save the Revue has the best chance at saving the cinema, as its done decent business and there is a large artist/activist/public-minded contingent in the community. The site has already named as a heritage site, which will at least preserve the building exterior. The Revue is part of Toronto history, dating back to 1911.

The Revue was always a good place to get a matinee or movie for about $6 and gave you a chance to see great movies on a big screen. Some of my favourite memories as a kid growing up in Calgary were when the parents took me to the movies where I fell for Empire Strikes Back, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and my childhood favourite, The Muppet Movie. I still remember how excited I was when the opening credits rolled across that screen. The love for movies lived on at The Revue. It was always a kick when older movies played - seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark or Roman Holiday, the lights down, and a bunch of individuals together for something common.

The Festival chain was always reliable for when I wanted to see a movie but not willing to part with the $20+ it cost for a night at the cineplex. I'm more than happy to drop $6 on Syriana, but I'd be annoyed if I had dropped $14 - it was $5 or $6 worth of entertainment, tops. A cheap movie ticket and a pint at The Local afterwards was always a good night in my book.

I sound like a nostaligic old fart, but there's something lost in translation when you go to the modern Cineplex, where you are bombarded with sensory overload from ticket counter to seat. It's part of the reason I go to the low-key Varsity Cinema, which always feels like the movie theatre for grown-ups. I'm not naive enough to think the local single-screen venue can offer the perks of a multiplex, but they have their place in the community.

Besides, it benefits The Local pub. I can't lose both my pub and my movie house - give a man someplace to hide from the world and recharge.

The official last day for Festival Cinemas is Friday June 30th, with the following screenings. Drop in and pay respects to the close of a chapter in Toronto film culture.

THE KINGSWAY:

7:00 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
9:20 Casablanca (1942)

THE PARADISE:

7:00 Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
9:00 Thank You For Smoking (2005)
11:00 Koyaanisqatsi (1983) - admission includes a free small popcorn!

THE REVUE:

4:00 The Wizard of Oz (1939) - admission only $1!
7:30 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

THE ROYAL:

7:00 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)
9:00 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Torontoist: Festival Cinemas Update: Royalty Endures