Update: Graham Crawford spoke before a screening of “The Trip to Spain” at the Lincoln Alexander Centre on October 17. He confirmed that the Westdale Theatre will have its grand opening on July 1, 2018. He also stated that the theatre will undergo a full restoration, not just renovations.
As of now, the Westdale is officially closed for renovations with plans to reopen in the spring of 2018.
On June 20, 2017, CHCH News of Hamilton reported on their website:
“Hollywood film producer and Dundas resident Fred Fuchs and Hamilton heritage guy Graham Crawford are part of the Westdale Cinema Group looking forward to bringing the theatre back to life.
‘We’re going to put in a small stage so we can have a small live performance, a chamber orchestra, lectures, other kinds of events.’
Their goal is to create a state-of-the-art space, a cultural and economic hub for Westdale Village and the city.
‘We think it is going to take us between 8 and 12 months because so much has to be repaired or upgraded.’
It’s the first time in its history it’s been closed."
Fred Fuchs was also quoted as saying, “When we’re finished, this will be a state-of-the-art, best cinema experience, perhaps not just in Hamilton, but all of southern Ontario.”
The last film to be shown there was Cannes Film Festival entry ‘Le Havre’ on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 7:00.
Great theatre that stuck around a few months shy of 20 years. First movie I saw there was “Whose Life is it Anyway” in late ‘81 or early '82. Last one was “Ulee’s Gold” in '97. I remember that well because my friend and I were the only ones there. Caught many others, too – Sudden Impact, Mosquito Coast, Raising Arizona, Blaze…
Line-ups would sometimes go up the stairs and out one of the rear entrances to the mall. The food court was right around the corner so you could grab something while you waited.
I hadn’t been there for quite a while, but was still sorry to hear it had closed after so many years. Nice little theatres, though Cinema 1 was a good size at 364 seats.
Saw a ton of movies at the Centre Mall, mostly in the 80s. A few standouts were The Big Chill (won passes for a preview screening), Psycho II, The Breakfast Club, Someone to Watch Over Me, The Last Temptation of Christ (with protesters out front), and sex, lies, and videotape (which I remember vividly was sold out on opening night).
Pretty sure as a kid in the 70s I saw Silver Streak and The China Syndrome there, too.
Saw so many great movies at the Tivoli during the 80s — Raiders (6 times during the summer of ‘81), Star Wars/Empire double bill in early '83, Jedi a few months later, Never Cry Wolf, Aliens…too many to list.
Loved the huge screen and great surround sound. I did see the last movie ever shown there (Last Crusade) sometime before the theater closed in Sept of '89. Great memories, like the Century and Avon, but the Tivoli was my favourite.
Great pic, Jim. Must’ve been taken in late Oct, as North Country opened in the U.S. at that time — a month after Flightplan.
Update: Graham Crawford spoke before a screening of “The Trip to Spain” at the Lincoln Alexander Centre on October 17. He confirmed that the Westdale Theatre will have its grand opening on July 1, 2018. He also stated that the theatre will undergo a full restoration, not just renovations.
Could that be Jim Jarmusch ?
A little difficult to make out, but prices for matinees and evenings: Children, 20 and 25c; Students, 40 and 55c; Adults, 55 and 85c.
As of now, the Westdale is officially closed for renovations with plans to reopen in the spring of 2018.
On June 20, 2017, CHCH News of Hamilton reported on their website:
“Hollywood film producer and Dundas resident Fred Fuchs and Hamilton heritage guy Graham Crawford are part of the Westdale Cinema Group looking forward to bringing the theatre back to life.
‘We’re going to put in a small stage so we can have a small live performance, a chamber orchestra, lectures, other kinds of events.’
Their goal is to create a state-of-the-art space, a cultural and economic hub for Westdale Village and the city.
‘We think it is going to take us between 8 and 12 months because so much has to be repaired or upgraded.’
It’s the first time in its history it’s been closed."
Fred Fuchs was also quoted as saying, “When we’re finished, this will be a state-of-the-art, best cinema experience, perhaps not just in Hamilton, but all of southern Ontario.”
The last film to be shown there was Cannes Film Festival entry ‘Le Havre’ on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 7:00.
Great theatre that stuck around a few months shy of 20 years. First movie I saw there was “Whose Life is it Anyway” in late ‘81 or early '82. Last one was “Ulee’s Gold” in '97. I remember that well because my friend and I were the only ones there. Caught many others, too – Sudden Impact, Mosquito Coast, Raising Arizona, Blaze…
Line-ups would sometimes go up the stairs and out one of the rear entrances to the mall. The food court was right around the corner so you could grab something while you waited.
I hadn’t been there for quite a while, but was still sorry to hear it had closed after so many years. Nice little theatres, though Cinema 1 was a good size at 364 seats.
Saw a ton of movies at the Centre Mall, mostly in the 80s. A few standouts were The Big Chill (won passes for a preview screening), Psycho II, The Breakfast Club, Someone to Watch Over Me, The Last Temptation of Christ (with protesters out front), and sex, lies, and videotape (which I remember vividly was sold out on opening night).
Pretty sure as a kid in the 70s I saw Silver Streak and The China Syndrome there, too.
Great memories with dates, friends, and family.
Looks like Lucy walking toward the camera with the white hat on.
Great pic! Taken sometime in late ‘08, early '09 I assume.
Interesting choice for the added feature at the drive-in :)
Saw so many great movies at the Tivoli during the 80s — Raiders (6 times during the summer of ‘81), Star Wars/Empire double bill in early '83, Jedi a few months later, Never Cry Wolf, Aliens…too many to list. Loved the huge screen and great surround sound. I did see the last movie ever shown there (Last Crusade) sometime before the theater closed in Sept of '89. Great memories, like the Century and Avon, but the Tivoli was my favourite.