![]() Guest hired Vancouver architect Henry Holdsby Simmons to design The Stanley. His romantic impressions of the city led to the decision to construct his dream theatre, and creation of The Stanley was begun. Reportedly he described Vancouver as “an ideal spot, the sun always shines, or, if it does rain, you don’t get wet”. The Stanley Theatre’s rich history began in early 1930, when Frederick Guest, the owner of a chain of neighbourhood theatres in southern Ontario, came to Vancouver and fell in love with the city. It connects us to our roots and provides consistency as the world changes. It draws people into our community and it creates a unique experience that can’t be found anywhere else. It is the heart and soul of our South Granville neighbourhood. The Stanley Theatre is more than just a building. Together with a tribute to their lives as civilians, it was a way to help local families connect and empathize with one another during the war years. Then, film screenings and photos of servicemen were displayed on the big screen. A special service to families, “Honouring Our Servicemen Overseas”, was also shown. Anna Neagle, an actress from England came to perform in a stage show together with local talents, an experience that was still vivid in her mind when Amy (Scriven) Brewster, the niece of Frederick Guest and manager of the Stanley from 1937 to 1945, visited her in England in 1986. It was also the setting for a brief experiment in silver screen swing: after struggling in Depression-era downtown music halls, the Calvin Winter Orchestra and other musicians moved to The Stanley, playing nightly between films for a wage of six dollars.ĭuring the Second World War, The Stanley Theatre hosted fundraisers for the war effort. The early days of The Stanley featured live performances in addition to films: local talent shows were put on, and Vancouver Little Theatre staged productions. The Stanley encouraged its patrons to participate in programming, soliciting comments and suggestions for upcoming features in its monthly program guides. ![]() Cowboys lassoed runaway stage-coaches, mustachioed villains snarled, and dashing heroes performed feats of derring-do to the amazement and delight of booing and cheering 1930’s audiences. The Stanley was the only theatre in Vancouver where not one, but TWO Saturday matinees could be seen by young movie goers for the staggering price of ten cents. It was the beginning of a love affair between the city and The Stanley.Īt the time, admission prices ranged from ten to forty cents, and included the feature, a comedy, a newsreel and a scenic. ![]() On December 15, 1930, The Stanley Theatre on South Granville opened with a screening of Lilian Gish’s first talkie, One Romantic Night.
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