Northstar Cinema 1 & 2
286 Portage Avenue,
Winnipeg,
MB
R3C
286 Portage Avenue,
Winnipeg,
MB
R3C
3 people
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March 4th, 1970 grand opening ad posted.
This theatre was built by Western Theatres Limited and Famous Players Canadian Corp. Richard Miles, president of Western Theatres Limited was the name of the partner. Western Theatres owned and operated 20 theatres in and around Winnipeg during the theatre heydays!!
The Northstar never had digital sound but did have 70mm capability with magnetic sound. The sound processor was a Dolby CP200 and I must admit that the sound quality came very close to current digital formats. In 35mm mode the CP200 was standard 4.1 sound (L,C,R,S + OBE).
Anyone have any pictures of this theatre?
I not only worked at the Northstar as an usher (my first job) but later became the General Manager for Famous Players overseeing this cinema. I was saddened to close it, but more interesting was that we re-opened it less than a year later. The Northstar continued to operate for around six months before it was closed (again) for the last time.
I frequently talk to Famous Player’s equipment company, which handles installing and ripping out equipment. I have been informed by several different people, including an employee who worked there back in the 80s/90s that it never had digital- only stereo.
The Northstar was located more or less on the site of the earlier Lyceum theater which was demolished in 1968 along with most of that city block to make way for the Radisson Hotel and parking garage.
Yes 286 Portage ave is or was the correct address
WHen the North star closed the seating capacity had been changed it changed in 1989 when all of the seats had been removed and refurbished. The counts changed due to the width of the seat rows being changed to make more leg room.
As well Northstar 1 did have digital it was capable of playing 70mm which was magnetic.
Just to add one thing: It did have Dolby Stereo, but was also never THX certified.
To be exact, Cinema 1 had 689 seats, while Cinema 2 had 456. It also never had digital sound, but was known for its two very large screens.
When it originally opened it had:
Cinema 1:
2- Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 35/70mm Projectors
2- Xebex Supersol 4kw Lamphouses
Famous Players custom GS Showman II Automation
Cinema 2:
2- Cinemecanica Victoria 8 35/70mm Projectors
2- Xebex Hi-Beam III 3kw Lamphouses
Famous Players custom GS Showman II Automation
It closed on December 2, 1999, which was the day before SilverCity Polo Park was opened. It re-opened for a few months in 2001.
Equipment when re-opened:
Cinema 1:
1- Cinemeccanica Victoria 5 Projector (35mm only)
1- Strong Super 80 4kw Lamphouse
1- Strong Alpha Platter Film Transport
Famous Players custom CineQ automation.
Cinema 2:
1- Cinemeccanica Victoria 5 Projector (35mm only)
1- Strong Super 80 3kw Lamphouse
1- Strong Alpha Platter Film Transport
Famous Players custom CineQ automation.
Links:
http://www.cinemecannica.com
http://strong-cinema.com
*Xebex is now out of business.
Cinema 1 at the Northstar had just over 600 seats, and cinema 2 had 457