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 Loew's Uptown Theatre sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-2-3

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1943-1948

Physical Description

11 drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 67 x 79 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series includes floor plans and elevations for alterations to outer lobby and lobby floor, public washrooms and washroom in manager's office.

Notes

Project reference no.'s: 44-2 and 45-K-85.

Plans labelled 44-2 were found rolled up with those for 45-K-85, suggesting they were used in the course of 45-K-8 and so they have been left together.

Title is based on the formal titles of the drawings.

Name Access

Uptown Theatre (Toronto)

Physical Condition

Edges of the larger drawings are damaged and torn.

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

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

Alterations to entrance to Loew's Uptown Theatre, Yonge St. near Bloor St., Toronto, Ont. sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-2-4

Material Format

architectural drawing

Responsibility

Kaplan & Sprachman

Date

1948-1950

Physical Description

22 drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 61 x 148 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series includes floor plans, elevations and cross-sections for lobby and drawings of details of new doorways, door hardware, and ticket booths.

Notes

Project reference no. 49-K-30.

Drawn by S.H.H. and A.B.

Name Access

Uptown Theatre (Toronto)

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

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) sub-series

Proposed alterations to store basement, 191 Yonge Street, Toronto, adjoining Loew's Theatre sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-1-5

Material Format

architectural drawing

Responsibility

Kaplan & Sprachman

Date

1949

Physical Description

3 drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 52 x 91 cm and 41 x 81 cm

Notes

Project reference no. 49-K-41.

Name Access

Elgin Theatre (Toronto)

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

Alterations to Loew's Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-1-9

Material Format

architectural drawing

Responsibility

Kaplan & Sprachman

Date

1959-1961

Physical Description

14 drawings : blueprints and blueline prints ; 79 x 121 and 73 x 103 cm

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series includes orchestra, mezzanine and balcony floor plans, longitudinal sections, reflected ceiling plan and details.

Notes

Project reference no. 59-K-25.

Title is derived from the formal titles of the drawings.

Name Access

Elgin Theatre (Toronto)

Accession Number

2003-6-1

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

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 Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series

Alterations to entrance of Loew's Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-1-6

Material Format

architectural drawing

Responsibility

Kaplan & Sprachman

drawn by S.H.H.

Date

1949-1950

Physical Description

2 drawings : blueprints ; 59 x 130 cm

Notes

Project reference no. 49-K-79.

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

Renovations to escalator and upper balcony sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-2-9

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1945-1968

Physical Description

46 drawings : pencil, blueline prints and other reproductions ; 72 x 91 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series consists of plans, elevations, and rough sketches for escalator renovations, balcony restepping and balcony seating plan, and drawings borrowed from previous Kaplan & Sprachman projects (or project proposals) at the theatre. These earlier projects include project numbers 45-85, 54-K-13, 59-K-31, 62-K-22, and 63-K-16, and relate to escalators, the mezzanine and outer lobby, basement, ladies' lounge, projection booth, orchestra floor plan, and details of columns and railings.

Notes

Project reference no. 68-5.

Name Access

Uptown 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

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

Morris Norman collection

Level

Item

Fonds

22

Item

103

Material Format

textual record

Date

1922

Physical Description

1 item

Source

Archival Descriptions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fonds

27

Series

1

File

28

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1944

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

1 photograph of the theatre in an early stage of construction, and 1 photo of the balcony of the completed theatre.

Notes

Title and creation date based on information stamped on one photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).

Stamped information reads: Casino Theatre: to be erected at 87-95 Queen St. W. for Casino Theatre Toronto Ltd.

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

Fonds

27

Series

1

File

29

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1944

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

5 interior photographs: 2 of the auditorium; 2 of the lobby, showing the candy bar and an alcove; and 1 of a hallway.

Notes

Title and creation date based on inscriptions on the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).

Photographers: Iris McCaig.

Name Access

Iris McCaig

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

Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series

Second exit from second floor of Loew's Theatre, 189 Yonge Street sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-1-8

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1957

Physical Description

3 drawings : pencil (1 on tracing paper) ; 59 x 89 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

1 floor plan of 1st and 2nd floors of theatre and 2 rough sketches with annotations.

Notes

Project reference no 57-K-10.

Title is taken from the formal title of one of the drawings.

Name Access

Elgin Theatre (Toronto)

Accession Number

2003-6-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Reference materials series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

5

File

9

Material Format

textual record

Date

1928-1932

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

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

2012-6-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

24 photographs : b&w and col. ; 13 x 18 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Date

1991-2002

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the activities of the Jewish Theatre Committee. Included is correspondence, press releases, theatre programs and handbills, scripts, meeting minutes and agendas and photographs of members of the committee.

Custodial History

The records were in the possession of Ralph Wintrob, chair of the Jewish Theatre Committee during the late 1980s and 1990s.

Administrative History

The Jewish Theatre Committee was founded in 1984 as a standing committee of the Toronto Jewish Cultural Council of the Toronto Jewish Congress. Its goal was to promote dramatic activities as a medium of Jewish cultural programming by encourageing new theatre groups, offering guidance in Jewish drama programming, to promote and develop new talent and scripts, and to work towards a Jewish Drama Festival. In 1984, a series of developmental workshops resulted in the formation of the Medina Theatre Ensemble, which presented creative theatrical programmes of Jewish content. The committee also organized workshops, school programmes, symposiums, lectures and readings and a yearly playwriting competition. The Jewish Theatre Committee disbanded sometime in the early 2000s.

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

603

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Nov. 1975

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Scope and Content

The "New Strand Building".

Notes

Negative: 8:5:13.

Acquired November 1975.

Name Access

Victory Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Architecture

Theaters

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

605

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Nov. 1975

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Scope and Content

The "New Strand Building".

Notes

Acquired November 1975.

Negative: 8:6:15.

Name Access

Victory Theatre

Subjects

Architecture

Theaters

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

604

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Nov. 1975

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Scope and Content

The "New Strand Building".

Notes

Acquired November 1975.

Negative: 8:5:14.

Name Access

Victory Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Architecture

Theaters

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

606

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Nov. 1975

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Scope and Content

The "New Strand Building".

Notes

Acquired November 1975.

Negative: 8:6:16.

Name Access

Victory Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Architecture

Theaters

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

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

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

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Museum sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-13

File

3

Material Format

textual record

Date

[ca. 1982]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of propsal for the creation of the Holocaust Education Centre.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Documentation sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-17

File

8

Material Format

textual record

Date

1981

Physical Description

1 folder textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of proposals and guides for the Holocaust Documentation Bank Project.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Special events and projects sub-series

Anne Frank exhibition sub-sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-18-2

File

4

Material Format

textual record

Date

1989

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of proposed budgets for the Anne Frank in the World exhibition.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds

Art exhibitions series

Level

File

Fonds

100

Series

8

File

144

Material Format

textual record

Date

2007

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of exhibit proposals for The Promise of Solitude by Ed Pien and New Work by Nina Levitt.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Holocaust Remembrance Administration sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-3

File

3

Material Format

textual record

Date

1986

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a written proposal of changes to structure of the Holocaust Remembrance Committee.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Child survivors sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-9

File

11

Material Format

textual record

Date

1991

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of film proposals for the Child Survivors/Hidden Children sub-committee.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Executive Committee series

Executive director sub-series

Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

5-5-1

File

221

Material Format

textual record

Date

1970-1971

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence about a proposed merger of the United Jewish Welfare Fund (Toronto) and the Canadian Jewish Congress.

Notes

For fruther details see also : Fonds 67, Sub-sub-series 5-5-1, File 171.

Name Access

Harris, Milton

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Special events and projects sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-18

File

62

Material Format

textual record

Date

1997

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence related to the proposal for the creation of the Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Toronto, along with a copy of the proposal and supplementary material.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Harold S. Kaplan fonds

Architectural projects series

Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series

Toronto Theatre, Balmuto near Bloor sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

27

Series

1-2-6

Material Format

architectural drawing

Other Title Information

[1919]

Responsibility

Thomas W. Lamb, architect

Date

photocopied in 1960

Physical Description

10 drawings : photocopies ; 46 x 67 cm and 41 x 41 cm

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series consists of photoreproductions of Thomas Lamb's original plans and elevations for the Uptown Theatre, acquired by Kaplan & Sprachman in 1960.

Notes

Date of these reproductions is taken from a Kaplan & Sprachman stamp on the back of the drawings.

Name Access

Lamb, Thomas

Uptown Theatre (Toronto)

Accession Number

2003-6-1

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

5

Material Format

textual record

Date

1961-1963

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of invitations, programmes, and newspaper clippings documenting various Theatre Nights organized by the Women's Auxiliary.

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

6

Material Format

textual record

Date

1964-1965

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of invitations and programmes documenting various Theatre Nights organized by the Women's Auxiliary.

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

7

Material Format

textual record

Date

1966

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of flyers, programmes, correspondence, and financial records documenting the Theatre Night organized by the Women's Auxiliary.

Source

Archival Descriptions