Paradis Cinema
8215 Rue Hochelaga,
Montreal,
QC
H1L 2L2
8215 Rue Hochelaga,
Montreal,
QC
H1L 2L2
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated Theatres, Cinemas Guzzo, Cineplex Odeon
Previous Names: Capri Cinema, Maxi-I
Nearby Theaters
The Capri Cinema opened in 1954. It was owned in 1968 by Cinemas Bernard La Have, Inc. It was closed in 1969. On November 11, 1972, it was reopened and renamed Maxi-I. Vincenzo Guzzo, the founder of le Cinemas Guzzo took this theatre over and renamed it the Paradis Cinema on April 9, 1974. It was the theatre in the Cinemas Guzzo chain. It is split up into three screens on August 3, 1977.
This theatre was booked by France-Film from about 1974-1985, then Cineplex Odeon until 1998.
First-run French language movies were shown until it was closed on November 20, 2009.
Contributed by
Mike Rivest
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
I upload the grand opening ad as a triplex as well as the ad for its Maxi-I era.
Rotting away: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.714822485243457.1073741853.451057244953317&type=1
Creation of Cinemas Guzzo
Creation of Cinemas Guzzo Sat, Oct 28, 2000 – 160 · The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada) · Newspapers.com
Rotting away: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/cinema-paradis-mercier-hochelaga-maisonneuve-1.5367299
The Cinéma Paradis in Montreal’s east end has been boarded up for a decade, collecting a mix of spray paint and urban grime while the borough strives to revitalize the area.
Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough Mayor Pierre Lessard-Blais says the CEO of Cinémas Guzzo, Vincenzo Guzzo, can no longer ignore the theatre his father bought in 1974, which launched the family empire.
What will be proposed for the derelict building and when is still anybody’s guess, but there are plenty of ideas floating around the community.
The local merchants' association wants more commercial space for Hochelaga Street as the strip becomes increasingly vibrant, while a tenants' advocacy group says the old building should be replaced by much-needed social housing.
As for the mayor, he envisions a residential complex with commercial space on the ground floor, but no matter what, he said the first step is for Guzzo to submit a plan.
“We are very open to having proposals from him,” said the mayor. “The citizens are tired. They just want a good project here. And I think it could be something good for the neighbourhood.”
Just this year, eight new businesses have opened on the street, according to Lessard-Blais, who attributes that economic resurgence to borough initiatives.
While the area shows signs of returning to its former glory, he said the building is “pulling the neighbourhood down.”
No matter what, it’s up to the building owner — not the borough — to come up with a plan, he said.
More dates and corrections:
The Capri cinema opened in 1954, although it is difficult to track its early years as no advertisements were placed at that time. From 1956 to 1958, it appeared in the Associated Theatres listings. During the 1960s, Cinémas Bernard La Have, Inc. took over the cinema, transitioning it to show French movies. The cinema closed in 1969. On November 11th, 1972, it reopened as Cinéma Maxi I. It then reopened again on April 5th, 1974, as Cinéma Paradis, showcasing French-language adult movies and marking the first location for Cinémas Guzzo. On August 12th, 1977, the cinema was refurbished and reopened with three screens. Finally, it closed on November 20th, 2009.
Maxi I grand opening ad posted.