This Day In History - 14 August 2013

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: AUGUST 14, 1920

     Many Vancouverites still lament the loss of the Strand Theatre, a lovely ven­ue once located at 610 West Georgia, behind the Birks Building. Both were torn down in 1973-74 to make way for the Scotia Tower, sparking a huge pub­lic outcry.

     Tearing down the ornate 2,000-seat cinema would have been unthinkable when "Canada's finest and most modern theatre" opened 93 years ago as the Allen, "The Theatre Beautiful'

     The Allen theatre chain started off with a single screen in Brantford, Ont., in 1907, and had expanded to 58 theatres by 1920.

     "Few Vancouver people are probably aware that Allen Theatre Enterprises are the largest operators of motion picture houses in the entire world," boasted a Vancouver Sun feature on the new theatre.

Bernard Allen and his sons, Jule and Jay J., credited their success to "adopting a principle that none but the clean­est motion pictures must be shown in their houses, and that the patron must be pleased no matter the trouble or expense.”

     To this end, the Vancouver Allen was designed by "the best-known theatre architect in the world, "C. Howard Crane. Crane's design incorporated "the largest marquee ever built for any the­atre in North America" to "protect the crowds from inclement weather:' Inside, the Aliens installed "probably the finest ventilating system in the entire world" to keep patrons comfortable.

The Allen Theatre at Georgia and Seymour opened in 1920. It later became the Strand theatre, and was torn down in 1974.

     The luxurious interior included marble stairs, leather seats of" unusual width, carpets "into which one's feet sink," a "daintily treated" ladies "retiring room" and a "gentlemen's smoking room." Movies were silent at the time, so the Allen had its own 15-piece orchestra led by conductor/violinist Samuel Brail. When he had time, theatre man­ager Oral D. Cloakey would join in on "marimba phone."

     The Allens also took great pride in their ads, which were quite elegant. The theatre opened with Norma Talmadge in Yes or No, which they promoted with a striking ad featuring white lettering against a black background. The beau­tiful Talmadge stood in flapper garb on the side.

     Unfortunately, the Aliens' rapid expan­sion backfired, and the chain went bankrupt in 1923. Archrival Famous Players bought the chain and renamed the Allen the Strand, which it remained until it was torn down in December 1973.

John Mackie, Vancouver Sun