At the beginning of the 20th century, movie theaters became a true sensation. Before cinema, theater was the dominant cultural form of entertainment. Like any new innovation, cinema was met with both excitement and skepticism. The first movie theaters were small spaces with simple chairs. Films were black and white, silent, and often short, yet audiences were captivated by the moving images that brought adventure and comedy to life.
The arrival of the first movie theater was a significant event for Edmonton. In this article, we explore the city’s first theaters and what they were like. More on edmonton-trend.
Bijou Theatre: Edmonton’s First Cinema
The first movie theater in Edmonton was the Bijou Theatre, which opened in 1908. It was housed in a repurposed store in the city center. The theater featured hard wooden seats and a manually operated projector, yet Edmonton’s public embraced it with enthusiasm.
At the time, Edmonton had a strong theatrical tradition, so cinema was welcomed as an exciting new cultural experience. For 10 cents, moviegoers could enjoy a three-film program, which typically included:
- An educational film
- A short comedy
- A feature-length film
During intermissions, a live orchestra played music, while the projectionist prepared the next film.
More than just entertainment, Bijou Theatre became an educational center. Audiences could watch newsreels and educational films, offering insights into global events that were not always covered in newspapers or books. For example, after the death of King Edward VII in 1910, the theater screened a film documenting his state funeral.
Expansion and the Rise of Movie Theaters in Edmonton
In 1912, Bijou Theatre expanded by opening a second location, South Side Bijou. Other companies followed suit, leading to a competitive movie theater market in Edmonton. By 1915, the city had several large theaters.
One of Canada’s first movie theater chains was established in Edmonton. Allen Theatres operated locations with 490 and 600 seats.
Among these, the Princess Theatre was one of the few historic theaters to survive the era. Opened in 1914, it was known for screening high-class motion pictures, often accompanied by live musical performances.
Princess Theatre: A Cinematic Landmark
The Princess Theatre operated until 2020, surviving multiple cinematic eras. At its peak in the early 20th century, it was Edmonton’s most luxurious movie theater.
The theater was designed by renowned Edmonton architects Wilson and Herrald. The building was created to combine residential and commercial spaces, with the cinema itself located on the third floor.
The Princess Theatre opened on March 8, 1915, with 660 seats and a large stage for live performances. It remained the only movie theater on Edmonton’s south side until the opening of Garneau Theatre in 1940.
At the grand opening, the theater hosted a charity event for the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, featuring a newsreel of real wartime footage. The following evening, it screened the film “The Eagle’s Mate” starring Mary Pickford.
A Symbol of Elegance
At the time, Princess Theatre was considered a model of elegance. It was the first building in Edmonton to feature a marble exterior. The interior was decorated with gold leaf detailing, and the theater even had an elevator, an uncommon feature for such buildings.
Other innovative features included:
- Electric ticket vending machines
- A projection clock displaying the time on the screen
- A drinking fountain
- A ventilation system that filtered, heated, and cooled the air, providing a comfortable movie-going experience
Due to the rise of television, the Princess Theatre closed in 1958. From 1958 to 1970, the building was converted into a shopping center. Later, it screened mainstream adult films until 1976. Between 1978 and 1996, it operated as a repertory cinema.
In the 21st century, it became an art-house, two-screen theater, but unfortunately, Princess Theatre closed permanently in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the building was listed for sale.
The growing popularity of movie theaters caught the attention of local authorities. Initially, theaters screened films without any restrictions. However, as crime, violence, and sexual content became more prevalent, concerns arose. Authorities also worried that films promoted American propaganda while ignoring Canada and Britain.
As a result, in 1913, the Alberta government introduced the Theatres Act, which regulated the operation of cinemas. Under this law, all films had to receive government approval before being shown.
Despite these new restrictions, movie theaters remained immensely popular, and Edmonton’s cinema industry continued to grow and evolve technologically.
Sources:
