The Joyland Theatre was originally built in 1924 as the Hirtles Theatre, but was destroyed by the great fire of 1929 which destroyed much of the downtown commercial buildings. It was the first business to rebuild after the fire, reopening in either that same year or the following year. It was built by Manuel S. Hirtle who previously ran silent movies in one of the town halls with his wife playing the piano to accompany the film. Manuel and his wife operated it until 1951 when he sold it to Leonard Larson of Calgary.
Larson moved to Strathmore with his family to operate the theatre, who also managed the Strathmore CO-OP store located next door. Leonard wanted to change the name of the theatre and held a contest. The Hirtles Theatre name was changed to Joyland Theatre after Leonard’s two eldest children Joy and Lanny in 1951. He operated the theatre until 1969 when his son Lanny took over the business.
A few years later, Lanny purchased and ran the Wales Theatre in High River. Lanny sold out of the theatre business in 1977 and moved to Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. For a short time, the Joyland was operated by George Elise, and in 1978, the Joyland was purchased by Bill and Sheila Crispen who had been running the Capitol Theatre in Hanna. Bill and Sheila operated the Joyland for 35 years with their two daughters Michelle and Melissa who grew up in the theatre business. Over the years, the Joyland hasn’t changed much, but the lobby was renovated in 1999, making it larger by taking some space from the store next to the theatre.
In January 2014, the Crispens sold the Joyland to Jeff and Kathy Larson from Drumheller. The Drumheller couple also own and operate the Napier Theatre there and Jeff is actually Lanny Larson’s second son of three. Jeff started out working as a projectionist in 1985 and bought his first theatre, the New Hope Cinema in Hope, British Columbia, in 1989. His older brother Kevin later owns and operates the Hope Theatre until its 2024 closure. Jeff then operated the Clova Theatre in Cloverdale B.C. for 6 years and first took over the Napier in Drumheller in 1996.
Opened on July 3, 1925 with the 1925 version of “The Wizard Of Oz” starring Larry Semon (unknown if extras added). Current functions are first-run and independent.
The Osais Theatre closed as a first-run house on December 29, 2023 with “Wonka”. However, there are plans by the town to purchase the theater and reopen it as a classic movie house by 2026.
The original Napier Theatre opened on September 19, 1919 with Raymond Hatton in “The Whispering Chorus” (unknown if extras added), and was destroyed by a fire on December 5, 1951.
Opened on January 2, 1947. According to some user whose grandfather was the first owner of the Van-Isle, he believes that it opened with Dennis Morgan in “The Time, The Place and The Girl”, but that remains unconfirmed at this time.
It was closed as a movie theater in 1985 after being purchased by Campbell River who reopened the Van-Isle as the Tidemark Theatre in October 1987.
The Terrace Theatre opened in 1942 with 16mm projection, but was upgraded to 35mm projection in 1948. It was renamed the Tillicum Theatre in 1950 and the theater building was rebuilt in 1954.
The Joyland Theatre was originally built in 1924 as the Hirtles Theatre, but was destroyed by the great fire of 1929 which destroyed much of the downtown commercial buildings. It was the first business to rebuild after the fire, reopening in either that same year or the following year. It was built by Manuel S. Hirtle who previously ran silent movies in one of the town halls with his wife playing the piano to accompany the film. Manuel and his wife operated it until 1951 when he sold it to Leonard Larson of Calgary.
Larson moved to Strathmore with his family to operate the theatre, who also managed the Strathmore CO-OP store located next door. Leonard wanted to change the name of the theatre and held a contest. The Hirtles Theatre name was changed to Joyland Theatre after Leonard’s two eldest children Joy and Lanny in 1951. He operated the theatre until 1969 when his son Lanny took over the business. A few years later, Lanny purchased and ran the Wales Theatre in High River. Lanny sold out of the theatre business in 1977 and moved to Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. For a short time, the Joyland was operated by George Elise, and in 1978, the Joyland was purchased by Bill and Sheila Crispen who had been running the Capitol Theatre in Hanna. Bill and Sheila operated the Joyland for 35 years with their two daughters Michelle and Melissa who grew up in the theatre business. Over the years, the Joyland hasn’t changed much, but the lobby was renovated in 1999, making it larger by taking some space from the store next to the theatre.
In January 2014, the Crispens sold the Joyland to Jeff and Kathy Larson from Drumheller. The Drumheller couple also own and operate the Napier Theatre there and Jeff is actually Lanny Larson’s second son of three. Jeff started out working as a projectionist in 1985 and bought his first theatre, the New Hope Cinema in Hope, British Columbia, in 1989. His older brother Kevin later owns and operates the Hope Theatre until its 2024 closure. Jeff then operated the Clova Theatre in Cloverdale B.C. for 6 years and first took over the Napier in Drumheller in 1996.
Twinned in the early-1980s.
Originally housed 480 seats when the original Cardium Theatre opened downtown in mid-1955.
Opened on July 3, 1925 with the 1925 version of “The Wizard Of Oz” starring Larry Semon (unknown if extras added). Current functions are first-run and independent.
Actual opening date is February 1, 1955.
Opened in November 1952.
Built in 1949 by Hec Labrie on the site of a house and millinery shop owned by Mr. & Mrs. Land Headley.
The Osais Theatre closed as a first-run house on December 29, 2023 with “Wonka”. However, there are plans by the town to purchase the theater and reopen it as a classic movie house by 2026.
Opened on December 21, 1953.
Opened in the mid-1950s.
The original Napier Theatre opened on September 19, 1919 with Raymond Hatton in “The Whispering Chorus” (unknown if extras added), and was destroyed by a fire on December 5, 1951.
Opened on November 29, 1968 by owner Neil Whitehorne, housed 240 seats.
Opened with George Murphy in “Broadway Rhythm” along with a newsreel.
Opened on January 2, 1947. According to some user whose grandfather was the first owner of the Van-Isle, he believes that it opened with Dennis Morgan in “The Time, The Place and The Girl”, but that remains unconfirmed at this time.
It was closed as a movie theater in 1985 after being purchased by Campbell River who reopened the Van-Isle as the Tidemark Theatre in October 1987.
Renamed Royal Theatre in 1977.
Opened on May 16, 1936 with Bette Davis in “Dangerous” (unknown if extras added).
The Terrace Theatre opened in 1942 with 16mm projection, but was upgraded to 35mm projection in 1948. It was renamed the Tillicum Theatre in 1950 and the theater building was rebuilt in 1954.
Damaged by a fire in 2004.
Opened on November 10, 1956.
Opened on September 23, 1963. It originally housed 16mm projection but later converted to 35mm projection in June 1965.
Opened in 1974, and this is a first-run house, not second-run.
Opened in 1946.
Opened on July 23, 1949 and closed as a movie theater in 1974.
Current functions are first-run films and live performances.
Current function is first-run.