- 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
- Proposed alterations to Loew's Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1-3
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1946, 1968
- Physical Description
- 5 drawings : blueline and blackline prints ; 60 x 101 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- The Winter Garden Theatre was built in 1913-1914 and opened on 16 Feb. 1914, the upper half of a double-decker theatre complex which included Loew's Yonge Street Theatre at street-level. The theatres were designed by Thomas Lamb and were the flagship of Loew's theatre chain in Canada.
- The Winter Garden was an "atmospheric theatre", with a simulated sky and stars, columns painted to resemble tree trunks, garden scenes painted on the walls, and lanterns, blossoms and beech leaves hung from the ceiling. Performers would appear at both theatres, but the Winter Garden was considered more exclusive than Loew's Yonge Street Theatre, with fewer seats (approx. 1400), higher ticket prices and reserved seating.
- With the decline in popularity of vaudeville during the 1920s, the Winter Garden was closed in 1928. It remained closed and unused until 1981, when it and the Elgin (as the Yonge Street Theatre had been renamed) were purchased and subsequently restored by the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The theatres re-opened in Dec. 1989.
- While histories of the Winter Garden typically describe it as a "time capsule" which remained sealed and undisturbed from the time of its closing in 1928 until it was restored, the architectural drawings in this sub-series document two proposed renovations of the Winter Garden during those decades.
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of drawings for 2 proposed renovations of the theatre, by Kaplan & Sprachman in 1944, and by Harold Kaplan in 1968.
- Notes
- Project reference codes 44-K-160 (Kaplan & Sprachman), and 68-6 (Harold S. Kaplan).
- Name Access
- Lamb, Thomas
- Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 21
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1948
- Physical Description
- 1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 52 cm length and 5 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Originally known as the Bedford, the Park Theatre was designed in 1929 by Murray Brown. It was renovated and renamed the Park in 1948. Located at 3291 Yonge Street, the building currently functions as a pet food store.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of designs of the 1948 renovations to the Park Theatre. A floor plan and a sketch of the stage area are included.
- Related Material
- See File 49-5-11 for architectural plans designed by Herbert G. Duerr of a theatre on Kingston Road.
- Places
- Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
-
Item 893
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 893
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Responsibility
- Duke Studios
- Date
- 1976
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- This item is an original print of the former Uptown Theatre, built by the Kaplan brothers in the 1930s and then converted to use as Children's Aid offices and apartments.
- Name Access
- Kaplan
- Uptown Theatre (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)
- Subjects
- Architecture
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Places
- Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
- 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
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 75
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1919-1924
- Physical Description
- 20 architectural drawings : 7 blueprints, 13 pencil, some on tracing paper ; 45 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- The Mavety Theatre was located at 215 Mavety Street, which is near the intersection of Dundas and Keele. In 1919, Joe Nevin created plans to convert the theatre into a cinema. In 1924, Benjamin Brown was commissioned by Mr. R. Thornton to make alterations to the theatre. It is unknown if these plans were implemented. The theatre was the site of several political rallies promoting workers' rights in the 1920s.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to the Mavety Theatre. In addition to Benjamin Brown's drawings, file also includes proposed plans to convert the theatre into a cinema drawn by architect Joe Nevin. Floor plans, sections, detailing and elevation drawings are included.
- Notes
- Due to the poor condition of these drawings, the description is partially based on the item level descriptions created by Steve Speisman.
- Name Access
- Mavety Theatre
- Thornton, R.
- Access Restriction
- Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.
- Physical Condition
- Material is fragile and badly torn.
- Related Material
- See File 49-5-11 for architectural plans designed by Herbert G. Duerr of a theatre on Kingston Road.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 52
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1933
- Physical Description
- 4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 40 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- The Colonial Theatre was established in 1919 and occupied the main floor of the Franklin Building, across the street from Old Toronto City Hall. It was owned an operated by Henry Franklin. The theatre was later renamed the Bay Theatre and closed in 1965. The building itself was torn down shortly thereafter. The site is currently occupied by the Simpson Building.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of plans of the balcony, gallery, lobby and foyer.
- Physical Condition
- Poor condition, plans badly torn.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 1995-11-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1995-11-7
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 13 photographs : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1943-1955
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of photographs showing the Hotel Casa Loma on Lake Simcoe with Star of David designs on the balcony, vacationers at Victory Cottage, Jewish servicemen in London and Toronto (see Bill Stern fonds for similar images), and a furrier shop.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2013-10-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2013-10-2
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 60 cm of textual records and other material
- Date
- 1964-2005
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records related to the National Council of Jewish Women, London Section. Included are board and committee meeting minutes and correspondence, general correspondence, program material, publicity records, committee and membership lists, publications, anniversary records, newsletters, newsclippings, cookbooks, photographs and slides, audio cassetees documenting the "Jewish Family Life" series, as well as one promotional video in BETA format.
- Administrative History
- The London Section of the National Council for Jewish Women of Canada was founded in the late 1940s. The section was presented its charter in 1950. Dev Fox was the section's first president. The section was involved in fundraising for various causes through events such as raffles, bingo nights, fashion shows and dinner-dances. They also organized discussion groups, programs and campaigns around topics of social interest such as mental and physical health, education, poverty, women's equality, women's health, child abuse and others. The London Section is no longer active.
- Descriptive Notes
- Physical Description note: includes ca. 500 photographs and slides, 8 audiocassettes, and 1 videocassette.
- Name Access
- National Council of Jewish Women, London Section (subject)
- Alter, Ronnee (creator)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-6-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-6-9
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 71 cm of textual records
- 36 photographs : b&w and col. (9 negatives) ; 13 x 18 cm and smaller
- Date
- 1951-1996
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting the National Council of Jewish Women, London Section. Included are: board and committee meeting minutes and correspondence, general correspondence, program material, publicity records, event invitations, committee and membership lists, membership recruitment materials, directories, by-laws, publications, anniversary records, newsletters, newsclippings, financial and budgetary records, and leadership training material. Program themes include women's health, women's equality, childcare, children's health, babysitting, and home care. Publications include issues of the national journal Council Woman, the newsletter National Newsletter, the London Update, the NCJW Bulletin, and the NCJW London Section Bulletin from 1951-1978.
- Administrative History
- The London Section of the National Council for Jewish Women of Canada was founded in the late 1940s. The section was presented its charter in 1950. Dev Fox was the section's first president. The section was involved in fundraising for various causes through events such as raffles, bingo nights, fashion shows and dinner-dances. They also organized discussion groups, programs and campaigns around topics of social interest such as mental and physical health, education, poverty, women's equality, women's health, child abuse and others. The London Section is no longer active.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Women in nonprofit organizations
- Name Access
- Alter, Ronnee (creator)
- National Council of Jewish Women, London Section (subject)
- Places
- London, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-8-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-8-7
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 12 photographs : b&w and col ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1929-[198-]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting the life of Debby Alter (née Speyer). Included are: certificates and diplomas for Alter and her brother Lloyd; newspaper clippings relating to Alter and her family; photographs of Alter and her family, and a small amount of correspondence addressed to Alter, primarily from her father.
- Custodial History
- Debby Alter's daughter, Bonnie, donated the records to the Archives following her mother's death in May 2017.
- Administrative History
- Debby Cecil Speyer was born on 18 Aug. 1918 to Boris Speyer and Etta Speyer (née Prager). Debby's father worked as an insurance broker in Toronto. Years later when he became ill, Etta went into real estate, becoming Toronto's first female commercial and industrial real-estate agent in 1935. Debby was one of three children, having two brothers: Mark and Lloyd. Lloyd died in 1943 fighting in the Second World War.
- Debby's connection to Hadassah-WIZO goes back to an early age. She attended the first Hadassah-WIZO Bazaar in 1924, for example, when she was five years old. As a youth, she attended the Goel Tzedec Congregation's religious school and later the Toronto Normal Model School, receiving her diploma in June 1933. She went on to marry Gabriel Alter, with whom she had two children: Bonnie and Lloyd (named after his late uncle). Their daughter, Bonnie, was entered in a lovely child photo-contest as part of the annual Hadassah Bazaar.
- In 1969, Debby was named chairman of the Women's Division of 1969 State of Israel Bonds in Toronto. By that point, she had been a member of Toronto Hadassah's executive board for years. Debby remained involved in Hadassah until her later years, attending the very last Bazaar in 2008, where she was honoured along with other long-time volunteers at a special cake-cutting ceremony. She passed away at her home on Friday, 12 May 2017. A service was held at Holy Blossom Memorial Park the following Sunday. She is survived by her two children, two children-in-law, and three grandchildren.
- Use Conditions
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Name Access
- Alter, Debby, 1918-2017
- Hadassah Organization of Toronto
- Hadassah-WIZO Organization of Canada
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- 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
- 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
- Morris Norman collection
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 22
- Item
- 103
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1922
- Physical Description
- 1 item
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Passenger Names
- Warshavsky, Alter & Chaim
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Passenger Names
- Warshavsky, Alter & Chaim
- Page Number
- 253
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Photographer
- Harvey and Adena Glasner
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 50
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1933
- Physical Description
- 1 architectural drawing : blueprint ; 54 cm length and 4 cm diam.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to the rear of a confectionery store at 809 Dundas West for Mr. Morris Alter. Floor plans and elevation drawings are included.
- Notes
- Formerly listed as Commission XVII.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds
- Women's Auxiliary series
- Fundraising sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 14
- Series
- 4-8
- File
- 3
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- 1959
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 3 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm and 18 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of invitations, programmes, correspondence, photographs and newspaper clippings documenting the first Theatre Night organized by the Women's Auxiliary. Identified in the photographs is Dora Till, Don Cornell, Pam Sullivan, and Hilda Copeland.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 1998-3-36
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1998-3-36
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 broadside
- Date
- [between 1922 and 1935]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a broadside advertising the performances of soubtette (soprano) Nellie Cassman at the Standard Theatre in Toronto.
- Administrative History
- The Standard Theatre was built in 1921 at the corner of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street in Toronto as a venue for Yiddish theatre.It was designed by John M. Jeffrey, but architect Benjamin Brown may have also been involved. The building also became a centre of Jewish left wing political activism. In 1935 it was converted to a movie cinema known as the Strand. In 1941 it was transformed into the Victory Cinema, and in 1961 to the Victory Burlesque which closed in 1975. In more recent years the building has been renovated and occupied by retail stores and businesses.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-165
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-165
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 22 April 1932
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of an ad for a Yiddish concert by the Grafstein sisters at the Standard Theatre in Toronto.
- Use Conditions
- 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.
- Subjects
- Concerts
- Theatrical posters, Yiddish
- Name Access
- Standard Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Level
- Item
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1927
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm
- Scope and Content
- This item is a copy print and corresponding negative depicting members of the Yiddish theatre on stage in Kitchener, Ontario. The members are wearing costumes.
- Subjects
- Costume
- Theater, Yiddish
- 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
- Kitchener (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1977-8-16A
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 20
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- [ca. 1930]
- Physical Description
- 2 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 39 cm length and 4 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Located at 605 Danforth (Danforth and Gough), the Iola Theatre operated as a movie theatre until closing in 1954.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of floor plans and elevations of the Iola Theatre, located at 605 Danforth. These drawings are probably related to a proposed renovation. An incomplete elevation of the Iola Theatre drawn by A. A. Abraham is also included.
- Physical Condition
- Material is fragile and torn.
- Related Material
- See File 49-5-11 for architectural plans designed by Herbert G. Duerr of a theatre on Kingston Road.
- Places
- Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 104
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1921-1922
- Physical Description
- 27 architectural and technical drawings : 26 blueprints, 1 pencil and paint ; 81 cm length or smaller and 9 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Located at 285 Spadina Avenue, the Standard Theatre was the first purpose-built Yiddish theatre in Canada. Described as the finest Yiddish theatre in North America, it contained seating for 1500 and included a balcony. The Standard held its opening performance and ceremony on August 31, 1922. It became the site of a variety of Yiddish plays, musical performances and other entertainment. The theatre was also the scene of political activity during this period, including a 1929 gathering to commemorate the death of Lenin. In 1935, due to poor attendance, the theatre was converted into a movie theatre renamed the Strand. Over the next several decades, the theatre was used for a variety of purposes, including as a Chinese movie house and even as a burlesque house for a time. Most recently, the main floor of the building has been converted into a bank, while the upper balcony has been closed. The Standard was designated as a heritage building in 2007.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings by J. M. Jeffrey of the Standard Theatre located at 285 Spadina Avenue. Elevations, floor plans, sections, detailing, a heating plan, a roof plan, a colour drawing of a theatre sign and technical drawings of structural elements of the building are included. These drawings are the original permit plans that would have been used onsite during construction. Although Jeffrey is the name on the drawings, Benjamin Brown has also been credited as the architect for the theatre according to an August 31, 1922 Globe and Mail article detailing the opening night.
- Name Access
- Jeffrey, J. M.
- Standard Theatre
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Physical Condition
- Drawings are torn and wrinkled. A conservator should examine these drawings before further handling.
- 2023-11-28: Some drawings are still very fragile after conservation treatments. They should be handled with extreme care.
- Places
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds
- Committees series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 100
- Series
- 2
- File
- 2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1972-1981
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of meeting minutes of the Theatre Arts Committee of the YM-YWHA and correspondence regarding the proposed School of Theatre Arts. Included in the file is the Leah Posluns Theatre School programme guide and a proposal for library programming outlining the aim of the Leah Posluns Theatre School.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Na'amat Canada Toronto fonds
- Fundraising and event ephemera series
- Arts and theatre events file
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 130
- Series
- 3
- File
- 19
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1990-1996
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a programme, catalogue, and invitation for art auction and musical "From Belz to Broadway."
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Accession Number
- 2019-3-2
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 2017-1-26
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-1-26
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 poster : col. ; 26 x 37 cm
- Date
- 1973
- Scope and Content
- The accession consists of a poster for Grine Felder presented by the Toronto Yiddish Theatre, directed by Jacob Sandler and presented at Lawrence Park Collegiate on Sat. March 3, 1973. Poster also lists Canadian Jewish Congress, Negev Book Store and Pollock's as locations to buy tickets.
- MG_RG
- MG4A1e
- Subjects
- Theatrical posters, Yiddish
- Name Access
- Toronto Yiddish Theatre
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds
- Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee series
- Photograph collection sub-series
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 61
- Series
- 2-2
- Item
- 39
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1977]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- This file consists of one photograph of two performers of the Ottawa Dance Theatre performing a representation of classical, modern and jazz works at the Leah Posluns Theatre on Sunday, 1 April 1977.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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