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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
6 architectural drawings : 3 blueprints, 2 pencil on tracing paper, 1 pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on verso of blueprint ; 56 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.
Scope and Content
File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to a two storey building located at 123-125 Yonge Street for Arcade Florists Limited, which was owned by George and Ben Yavner. Sections, elevation drawings and floor plans are included.
Notes
One drawing is located on the verso of a discarded blueprint.
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.
9 photographs : b&w (3 strips of 3 photographs) ; 6 x 8 cm (photo) 20 x 9 cm (strip)
Scope and Content
File consists of snapshots taken of Isadore Scheuer walking along Yonge Street in Toronto. There are three strips of photographs with three photographs on each strip. Isadore is shown walking along the street and sidewalk and there are passersby, shops, and cars in the background.
Subjects
Streets
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.
5 architectural drawings : 2 blueprints, 3 pencil on tracing paper ; 78 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.
Admin History/Bio
The Jolly Miller Hotel is a designated heritage building that was built in the late 1850s by the Hogg family. It is currently known as the Miller Tavern.
Scope and Content
File consists of architectural drawings of additions and alterations to the two storey Jolly Miller Hotel at 3885 Yonge Street. Elevation drawings, sections, floor plans and a foundation plan are included.
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.
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.
This item is a photograph depicting a large line-up of people waiting to get into the first Lady Ellis Shop located at the corner of Yonge and Adelaide Streets in Toronto. The photograph was taken on opening day.
Name Access
Lady Ellis Shop
Subjects
Consumers
Storefronts
Women's clothing
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.
This item is a photograph of the interior of the first Lady Ellis Shop located on the corner of Yonge and Adelaide Streets in Toronto. The photograph depicts many customers inside the store being shown merchandise by the sales women behind the counter.
Subjects
Consumers
Stores, Retail
Women's clothing
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.
This item is a photograph of the interior of the first Lady Ellis Shop located on the corner of Yonge and Adelaide Streets in Toronto. The photograph depicts many customers inside the store looking at merchandise.
Subjects
Consumers
Stores, Retail
Women's clothing
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This item is an original print of the Strand Theatre in Kirkland Lake, which was built in the 1920s by the Kaplan brothers with the help of Harry Oakes.
Name Access
Kaplan
Oakes, Harry
Strand Theatre (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)
Subjects
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.
This item is an original print of the Lasalle Theatre in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The theatre was not built by the Kaplan brothers, but became theirs after the original builders filed bankruptcy.
Name Access
Lasalle Theatre
Subjects
Motion picture 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.
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.