While possessing undeniable aesthetic value, the photographs that form this exhibit were collected by the Theatres Branch as part of their regulatory function.

Theatres were required to send in one view showing the entire front of the theatre, two views of the outside rear taken at angles to show the rear wall and one side of the building each, one view taken from the stage to show entrances to the auditorium, one taken from the rear of the auditorium to show the stage and passages leading to the exits, and two or three views showing the lobby and rest rooms.

All of this was to aid the Branch in evaluating the safety of the theatres. An entire exhibit could be put together of photographs of rear exit doors.

The theatre files contain applications for licenses, the licenses themselves, Theatre Inspector’s Reports, and a wealth of other information. The files are a testament to the diligence of the inspectors, and also provide evidence of the vast number of regulations with which theatres were required to comply.

The regulations under the Theatres and Cinematographs Act detailed (among a great many other things) what the walls, floors, roofs and ceilings were to be made of; what types of doors were to be used; the width of the aisles and the distance between rows of seats; and what facilities were to be made available in the ‘retiring rooms.’ There was even a regulation prohibiting the operation of a motion picture projector while under the influence of alcohol.

It is in the nature of regulatory records such as these to catalogue more bad behaviour than good. Some theatre owners did receive the commendations of the Branch, but reports of people disregarding theatre regulations are far more prevalent. This could give the impression that many theatres were run by individuals with no regard for the law, public safety, or morals. While this impression may or may not be correct, the tales told in the theatre files make fascinating reading.

In addition to stories of bad behaviour, there are stories of strange behaviour. One inspector found that some projectionists had set up housekeeping in the projection suite. There was a hot-plate, toaster, casserole dish, frying pan and various other pots and pans. The inspector politely asked that the articles be removed. One wonders at this mild caution, given that other projectionists were suspended for simply reading the newspaper in the projection suite.

Follow these links to tour some of Ontario's theatres.

Northern Ontario:

• Canyon Recreation Club Theatre, Abitibi Canyon Colony (Fraserdale)
• Palace Theatre, Kenora
• Capitol Theatre, Larder Lake
• Grand Theatre, Sudbury
• Paramount Theatre, Port Arthur
• Classic Theatre, Cobalt
• Gaiety Theatre, Rainy River
• Orpheum Theatre, Sault Ste. Marie
  

Western Ontario

• Capitol Theatre, Windsor
• Capitol Theatre, Chatham
• Regent Theatre, Seaforth
• Esquire Theatre, Southampton
• Classic Theatre, Owen Sound
• Capitol Theatre. Sarnia
• Century Theatre, London
• Roxy Theatre, Chesley

Central Ontario

• Parkdale Theatre, Toronto
• University Theatre, Toronto
• Capitol Theatre, Hamilton
• Regent Theatre, Oshawa
• Capitol Theatre, Port Hope
• Tivoli Theatre, Hamilton
• La Plaza Theatre, Toronto
• Strand Theatre, Beaverton
• Muskoka Theatre, Gravenhurst
• Lyric Theatre, Kitchener
• Centre Theatre, Toronto
• Grand Theatre, Fergus
• Hollywood Theatre, Toronto
• Bloor Theatre, Toronto
• Palace Theatre, Toronto

Eastern Ontario

• O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew
• Imperial Theatre, Ottawa
• Capital Theatre, Brockville
• Capitol Theatre, Cornwall
• Regent Theatre, Picton
• O'Brien Theatre, Almonte
• Centre Theatre, Trenton
• Grand Theatre, Kingston

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