Stories from Ontario's Movie Theatres: O’Brien Theatre, Renfrew - Page Banner

The O’Brien Theatre in Renfrew was built in 1929 by M. J. O’Brien’s Ottawa Valley Amusements. The theatre is still operating today.
O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew, exterior, 1930

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O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew, exterior, 1930
Theatre photographs
Reference Code: RG 56-11-0-222-1
Archives of Ontario, I0012553

Photo: O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew, front of auditorium, 1930

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O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew, front of auditorium, 1930
Theatre photographs
Reference Code: RG 56-11-0-222-4
Archives of Ontario, I0012551

The manager in 1957 was asked about the bag of wood shavings being stored in the basement, as the inspector felt that they were a fire hazard. The manager explained ....

“we keep these as we get quite a few characters that manage to get sick and we use the wood shavings to slop up the inevitable results. Some of the boys are in the habit of bringing in some cheap wine and knocking it off during the performance and the heat gets ‘em. We found this was the quickest way of cleaning up a mess in a hurry without offending our patrons”

RG 56-9-0-61-2
Photo: O’Brien Theatre, Renfrew, lobby, 1930

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O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew, lobby, 1930
Theatre photographs
Reference Code: RG 56-11-0-222-2
Archives of Ontario, I0012554

 Photo: O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew, entrance, 1930

Click to see a larger image (96K)
O'Brien Theatre, Renfrew, entrance, 1930
Theatre photographs
Reference Code: RG 56-11-0-222-6
Archives of Ontario, I0012552

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