Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
Series
Fonds
27
Series
1
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
textual record
Date
1913-1968
Physical Description
348 architectural drawings
123 photographs
2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
The series consists primarily of architectural drawings and photographs of buildings designed or renovated by Kaplan & Sprachman, or by Harold Kaplan following the dissolution of Kaplan & Sprachman in 1965. Many projects are documented through only a few interior and exterior photographs of the building or photographs of architectural models and drawings. The architectural drawings include floor plans, elevations, sections, mechanical and electrical plans and lot plans. Approximately a third of the drawings are originals done in pencil, while the remainder are blueprints, blueline prints and other reproductions.
The series is organized chronologically into sub-series by the buildings worked on: Loew's Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto (now the Elgin Theatre); Loew's Uptown Theatre, 764 Yonge Street; Loew's Winter Garden Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto); the Jewish Home for the Aged; the Kaplans' homes in North York and in an apartment or condominium bulding, Park Towers; Atlas Radio Corporation; R.J. Sapera's store at Sheppard Ave. E. and Willowdale Ave.; Mr. & Mrs. P. Cooper's residence (Pembroke); the Primrose Club, Russell Hill Rd. & St. Clair Ave., Toronto; Precast Building Products (Vaughn Township); Thorncliffe Theatre (East York); and, Mr. & Mrs. S. Greenberg's residence, 19 Dellbank Drive.
Sub-sub-series are defined for the series of projects undertaken at Loew's Theatre, and at the Uptown Theatre. These sub-sub-series are organized by the original project reference code or by date when a reference code is not available.
In some cases, the project materials include plans prepared by other architects who carried out earlier work on the building in question, or by contractors for Kaplan & Sprachman projects. The sub-sub-series for Uptown Theatre projects includes, for example, photostatic reproductions of the 1919 theatre plans by Thomas W. Lamb.
Notes
The Thorncliffe Theatre plans were created by Mandel Sprachman, architect, son of Abraham Sprachman. Harold Kaplan's role in this project is not known.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
2
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1934?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on the content of the photograph, inscriptions on the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
Name Access
Pringle & Booth
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
3
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1931]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the theatre in early stages of construction.
Notes
Title based on inscription on the photograph and information found in series 2 newspaper clippings.
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
4
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1932]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
Name Access
Pringle & Booth
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
5
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1935
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
6
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1936?]
Physical Description
4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
File contains 3 exterior shots of the theatre and 1 of the auditorium.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Three of the photographs were taken by the photographers Pringle & Booth. The fourth print is of a later date, and is from an exposure made ca. 1938, based on the release dates of the films showing at the theatre.
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
7
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1935?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph, Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996), and information accompanying a reproduction of the photograph in John Sebert's book, The "nabes" (p. 81).
Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
Name Access
Pringle & Booth
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
8
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1937?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
One exterior shot of the theatre and one of the theatre lobby. Additional businesses featured in College Street view photograph include Altman's, Sugar Bros., Custom Tailoring, and York Furniture.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photographs, Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996), and information accompanying a reproduction of the photograph in John Sebert's book, The "nabes" (p. 104).
Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
Name Access
Pringle & Booth
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
9
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1937?]
Physical Description
4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm glued to sheets 22 x 28 cm
Scope and Content
4 interior shots of the theatre lobby and auditorium.
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Sarnia (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
10
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1940] (original exposures 1937)
Physical Description
4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
4 interior shots of the theatre lobby and auditorium.
Notes
Title based on photograph content and labels attached to photographs.
One photograph bears a stamp reading: "This photograph printed from exposure made Nov. 1937".
Photographers: Hands Studio.
Name Access
Hands Studio
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Ottawa (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 11
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
11
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1937?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Photograph bears inscription: "Parkdale Toronto before remodelling.".
Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
Name Access
Pringle & Booth
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
12
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1937?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
The Tivoli Theatre (previously the Allen Theatre) was at 17 Richmond St. E., Toronto.
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 13
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
13
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1938?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee and interior shot of auditorium.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 14
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
14
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1939?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph.
Location of this theatre is uncertain. Judging from the photograph in John Sebert's book, The "nabes", p. 117, it is not the Alhambra Theatre which was located at 568 Bloor St. W., Toronto.
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 15
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
15
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1939?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph.
Location of this theatre is uncertain. Release date for the movies showing at the theatre in this photograph was 1939, and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996) lists a Capitol Theatre project in Welland, Ont., for 1939.
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Welland (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 16
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
16
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1939
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
1 exterior view of theatre marquee and 1 interior view of the theatre lobby or entrance-way.
Notes
Title and creation date based an inscription on one photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
The interior shot may be incorrectly identified, based on a comparison of the door designs in the two photographs. Also, the movies advertised in the lobby posters were released in 1936.
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Edmonton (Alta.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 17
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
17
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1939?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
2 exterior shots of theatre marquee, one at night and the second in daylight.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Photographers: Robertson-Steele.
Name Access
Robertson-Steele
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Physical Condition
A section of one of the photographs is missing.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 18
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
18
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1939?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Photographers: Robertson-Steele.
Name Access
Robertson-Steele
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 19
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
19
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1939?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
2 exterior shots of the theatre marquee: one at night and the second during the day.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and an inscription.
Photographers: Brigdens.
Name Access
Brigdens
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 20
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
20
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1939?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
Admin History/Bio
Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996) states that Kaplan & Sprachman renovated the Pylon in 1944. The probable creation date is based on the release date for the advertised movies. John Sebert's book, The "nabes", states that the Pylon was built in 1939 and designed by the architect Ben Swartz.
Scope and Content
Exterior shot of the theatre marquee.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and an inscription.
Photographers: Robertson-Steele.
Name Access
Robertson-Steele
Kaplan & Sprachman (Firm)
Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1; File 23
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
File
Fonds
27
Series
1
File
23
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1939, 1940
Physical Description
7 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm and 13 x 18 cm
Scope and Content
2 views of the theatre's exterior, 2 of the lobby, and 3 of the auditorium.
1 of the photographs taken in the lobby is a group photo of Leo Hatch (air conditioning contractor), Peter McForty (general contractor), and Harold Kaplan.
Notes
Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and inscriptions, and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
Subjects
Theaters
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Sault Ste. Marie (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-1
Material Format
architectural drawing
textual record
Date
1913-1959
Physical Description
57 drawings : pencil on tracing paper, blueprints and other reproductions ; 72 x 114 cm or smaller
1 cm of textual records
Admin History/Bio
Built in 1913, Loew's Yonge Street Theatre and Winter Garden Theatre complex was the flagship of Marcus Loew's Canadian theatre chain. The theatres were designed by Thomas Lamb as a "double-decker" theatre, with the Winter Garden located seven-stories above the street-level Yonge Street Theatre. This was the only double-decker theatre built in Canada and one of less than a dozen built internationally. The design was considered economical in that it provided a greater amount of seating on a given piece of real estate while allowing the theatre operator to present the same daily show in two theatres. The shows included both vaudeville acts and silent movies.
In 1928, there was a major fire on the site and the Winter Garden Theatre was closed due to the decline in popularity of vaudeville. By 1930, the Yonge Street Theatre was solely a movie theatre, equipped for sound movies. Over the years it gradually fell into disrepair, but continued as a movie theatre until 1981. It was renamed the Elgin Theatre in 1978.
In 1981, the Elgin and Winter Garden were purchased by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and in 1987 the foundation began a two and half year, $30 million restoration of the theatres. The theatres re-opened in Dec. 1989 exclusively for theatrical productions.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of seating plans, blueprints of structural details, and floor plans, sections and elevations for successive alterations (to the entrance, lobby, basement, etc.) of the theatre. The sub-series includes a copy of a city building permit dating from 1934 for renovations carried out by Loew's Theatres Engineering Division. Some of the blueprints date from the original construction of the theatre in 1913.
The sub-series is organized into 9 sub-sub-series, corresponding to project dates of 1913, 1919, 1934, 1939, 1949 (two projects), 1952, 1957 and 1959. The earliest materials, such as those from 1913 and 1919, were not created by Kaplan & Sprachman, but were no doubt used as reference materials for their work at the theatre.
Please note that the blueprints of structural details such as columns and roof reinforcing beams may apply to the theatre complex as a whole, including the Winter Garden Theatre.
Notes
Title is derived from the formal titles of the drawings.
Name Access
Lamb, Thomas
Elgin Theatre (Toronto)
Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto)
Subjects
Theaters
Physical Condition
Some drawings are torn & damaged.
Some are discoloured or damaged by deteriorating pressure-sensitive tape.
Places
Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) architectural plans and drawings sub-series
Alterations to lobby and new opening to main theatre mezzanine sub-sub-series
Level
Sub-sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-1-3
Material Format
architectural drawing
textual record
Date
1934
Physical Description
7 drawings : blueprints ; 71 x 84 cm and 38 x 81 cm
11 p
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-series consists of blueprints and building permits for alterations made for a new store in the lobby area at street level on Yonge Street. The building permit contains a detailed description of the work to be done. Includes a seating plan for the theatre.
Notes
Title is derived from the project description in the building permit.
Name Access
Elgin Theatre (Toronto)
Physical Condition
1 drawing, of theatre seating plan, is torn and in poor condition.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series
Loew's Theatre, Toronto : [floor plan of street-level entrance and lobby] sub-sub-series
Level
Sub-sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-1-4
Material Format
architectural drawing
Responsibility
Kaplan & Sprachman
Date
1939
Physical Description
1 drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 46 x 106 cm
Notes
Title is derived from the formal titles of the drawings.
Project reference no. AU 1754.
Name Access
Elgin Theatre (Toronto)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-2
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
Date
1919-1968
Physical Description
132 architectural drawings : pencil (some on tracing paper, some hand col. using pencil crayon), blueprints and other reproductions ; 76 x 106 cm or smaller
5 photographs : b&w ; 44 x 55 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
One of sixteen theatres in Canada designed by the well-known architect Thomas W. Lamb, the Uptown Theatre opened in 1920 as a movie and vaudeville theatre of almost 3000 seats, and was later the first theatre in Toronto equipped for sound movies. In 1960 the Uptown's main auditorium was destroyed by a major fire. Kaplan & Sprachman participated in the theatre's subsequent renovation.
In 1969 the Uptown was split into a five screen theatre through conversion of the theatre's balcony, backstage and basement areas. The Uptown was closed and demolished in late 2003 following the 28th Annual Toronto International Film Festival after the cinema operator, Famous Players, decided to close it and other theatres rather than comply with an Ontario Human Rights Commission order to make the theatres fully wheelchair-accessible.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of seating plans, blueprints of structural details, floor plans, sections and elevations for successive alterations (to the entrance, lobby, escalator, etc.) of the theatre, as well as several photographs of the Uptown's entrance and auditorium. The sub-series includes a number of hand-coloured drawings of the main auditorium dating from 1962, with paint and fabric samples attached, apparently associated with the re-building of the auditorium following the fire of 1960. The sub-series also includes a set of photo-reproductions of Thomas Lamb's original 1919 plans for the theatre, acquired by Kaplan & Sprachman in 1960.
The sub-series is arranged in 9 sub-sub-series corresponding to project dates of 1919, 1936, 1945, 1949, 1960, 1962, and 1968. The final sub-sub-series relates to work done by Kaplan after the dissolution of Kaplan & Sprachman.
In several cases, a sub-sub-series includes drawings and plans from earlier projects, used as reference materials for the current project.
Name Access
Lamb, Thos. W. (Thomas White), 1871-1942
Uptown Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Theaters
Physical Condition
Some drawings torn or water-damaged. Some are discoloured or damaged by deteriorating pressure-sensitive tape.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
Alterations to Uptown Theatre and plan of existing theatre sub-sub-series
Level
Sub-sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-2-2
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
Date
1936
Physical Description
2 drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 49 x 42 cm and 67x41 cm
2 photographs : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-series consists of floor plans and sections of theatre and Balmuto Street entrance and two photographs of the Yonge Street entrance to the theatre.
Notes
Title derived from formal titles of the drawings.
Project reference code AR 1497.
Creation date for the photographs is based on the release date of the movie then playing at the theatre.
The drawings and photographs have been grouped together based on their date of creation, but there is no project reference code on the photographs.
Name Access
Uptown Theatre (Toronto)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
Renovations to entrance, mezzanine, auditorium and basement sub-sub-series
Level
Sub-sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-2-8
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
Date
1919-1962
Physical Description
25 drawings : pencil (some hand col. using pencil crayon), pencil on tracing paper, blueline prints and other reproductions ; 76 x 106 cm or smaller
3 photographs : b&w ; 44 x 55 cm and 41 x 52 cm
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-series consists of a wide range of floor plans, elevations and longitudinal sections, drawings of structural features and details of doorways, seating, balconies, etc. Also includes several hand-coloured drawings of the auditorium (of the stage area and longitudinal sections of the auditorium) with paint and fabric samples attached. The drawings of the stage are based on one of the photographs included in the sub-sub-series.
Approximately half of the drawings are by contractors responsible for installing doors and other features, or are drawings from the original construction of the theatre.
Notes
Project reference no. 62-K-22.
Name Access
Lamb, Thomas
Uptown Theatre (Toronto)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Jewish community events series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 37; Series 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Jewish community events series
Level
Series
Fonds
37
Series
7
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1936-1979
Physical Description
8 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs taken by Al and/or Nathan Gilbert that document Jewish events held in the city of Toronto. The kind of events included are dedication ceremonies, groundbreaking ceremonies, city council meetings, dinners and walks.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Jewish community events series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 7; Item 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Jewish community events series
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
7
Item
7
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1936]
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
The Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society was founded in 1905 to provide assistance to newly arrived immigrants and to promote a prosperous Jewish community. The Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society's Ladies Auxiliary was founded in 1922 with Mrs. Sophie Torno as the first Chairlady. The Ladies Auxiliary assisted the Society in collecting funds for various philanthropic causes. Moreover, they organized lectures and entertainment.
Scope and Content
Item is a negative of the the Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society's Ladies' Auxiliary parade. The image depicts a group of women walking down a street carrying a large banner with the inscription: "Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society Ladies Auxiliary, Friendship, Established 1921." The women have sashes with Pride of Israel across them and 15th Jubilee.
Name Access
Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society Ladies' Auxiliary
Subjects
Parade
Societies
Women
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Source
Archival Descriptions