Movie buffs viewed films not available in larger theatres, as well as the current Hollywood hits. Teenagers took great delight in trying to slip into another auditorium after they had seen the movie they had first paid to view. In its glory days, the complex in the Eaton Centre allowed patrons a wide range of movies, all in one building. Having gained success, Cineplex Odeon expanded its theatre chain across Canada and into the United States. was able to offer major Hollywood releases, similar to the theatres in malls of today. Cineplex Odeon Corporation threatened to sue under the anti-combine laws, and succeeded is loosening their strangle hold.
Another difficulty was that two major movie chains monopolized film distribution rights in Canada. Films that were popular were shown in more than one auditorium.Ĭineplex Odeon Eaton Centre opened at a time when movie theatres were struggling, since home video players were becoming popular. To further reduce costs, the theatre dealt directly with foreign producers or distributors to get Canadian rights. However, in smaller auditoriums, even if only 30 to 35 patrons saw a film in an evening, it remained profitable. It was not profitable to screen these in larger theatres, as the appeal of a single movie might be quite small. In the early years, Cineplex Odeon Eaton Centre offered specialty films and foreign films, many of them with sub-titles. In 1981, three more auditoriums were added to the complex, bringing the total to 21, and the total number of seats to over 2000. A year or two later, the tickets were colour-coded, with eye-catching directional signs on the theatre walls to guide people to the appropriate auditorium. No tickets were sold after a film began, preventing interruptions during viewings. By employing these machines, and by staggering the times the movies started, crowding was reduced. Computerized ticket-vending machines were installed and it was possible to purchase tickets in advance, even a day or two ahead. A cafe and bistro were included, offering a wide variety of foods. Patrons were able to gather before attending a movie or linger after a film. Designed to resemble a “Common Room,” Canadian art was displayed on the walls. The main lobby was capable of holding 200 people. The aisles were on both sides of the auditoriums, which meant that no seats were jammed against the walls. Few patrons seemed to notice, as the auditoriums were attractive and the seats comfortable. A rear projection system was employed to screen the films, which caused the edges of the pictures to be slightly blurred. The auditoriums were grouped into four sections, located on two different floors. When it opened on Tuesday, April 17, 1979, it contained 18 auditoriums, each containing 50 to 100 seats-about 1500 seats in total-the largest movie-theatre complex in the world at that time. The Cineplex Odeon Eaton Centre was a natural extension of the multi-screen concept. Nathan Taylor also had experience with operating multi-screen complexes, as he had opened one in Ottawa and had previously divided the Uptown Theatres into the Uptown Five. Thus, increased revenues were generated without increasing costs for rent, taxes, and heating. Multi-screen complexes allowed theatre owners to screen several movies in the same building, catering to the different tastes of viewers. He also had considerable experience in converting large theatre auditoriums into smaller venues, as he had redesigned the Hollywood, Imperial, and Loew’s Uptown Theatres into multi-screen complexes. He had designed theatres for several decades, having been the architect for many theatres across Canada and also had restored the Elgin/Winter Garden Theatres. They coined the word “Cineplex” for the theatre-a contraction of “cinema complex.” Mandel Sprachman was hired as the architect.
To create the theatre complex, the huge space below the parking garage was converted into a series of small theatres, all under the same roof. It was in the heart of the city at Yonge and Dundas and easily accessible by public transportation. They formed the Cineplex Odeon Corporation in 1979, as they realized the possibilities of the space in the Eaton Centre as a site for a movie-theatre complex. In the basement of the garage was a 25,000 square-foot space that attracted the attention of Nathan A.
On the northwest corner of the Eaton Centre was a ten-storey parking garage. The new mall was instantly popular with Torontonians and attracted thousands of tourists as well. When the Eaton Centre opened in 1979, the area south of Dundas was revived. In the 1970s, the downtown section of Yonge Street had deteriorated, especially between College and Dundas Streets.