The photo above was taken at the grand opening in 1940. From the Windsor Star: May 17, 1940:
Windsor’s newest and most modern theatre – The Park – located on Ottawa street between Hall and Moy avenues, will open its doors tonight at 6:30 p.m. Above is shown a front view of the beautiful new structure as it appears today. It will have scores of new features, such as smoking loges, seats equipped with ashtrays, latest type mirrorphonic sound and special ventilating equipment. Seating capacity of the new building is 815, every seat upholstered with sponge cushions.
The smoking loges will accommodate 160 persons and a modern ventilation system will keep the air clear of smoke. Every seat in the loges will have its own individual ash tray. There will be a complete change of program three times a week. The management is under the direction of Mr. Arthur Ducharme, long associated with the city’s most successful theatre operations. The New Park Theatre will stand out as an ornament of real distinction.
The Opening Night saw a double bill of Two Thoroughbreds & Little Old New York.
The photo above from shortly before closure in 1970.
The Park was located at 1377 Ottawa Street. Today the site is a vacant lot to the west of the current CIBC located on the corner of Ottawa & Moy.
The theatre was designed by Jay Isadore English in 1939. English was one of Canada’s most prolific theatre architects. English was responsible for many Odeon Theatre designs.
On June 13, 1970, the news came down that the 813 seat Park would be closed July 2nd. Famous Players announced the closure to coincide with the opening of the brand new Devonshire Mall cinemas I and II. M.A.S.H. as shown on the marquee was the final movie to run at the Park.
Shortly after closure the theatre was sold to the Bank of Commerce and the theatre demolished for parking.
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a few times i walked past there wondering why there is a gap... and what was there.. its pretty much the only missing tooth in that area
same here shawn, growing up in that area a lot of time was spent on ottawa. i might be wrong, but it kinda doesn't look like it totally fit into the streetscape but there's probly lots of hidden elements on those buildings, like the art deco under all the aluminium siding on the top of liquidation world.
didn't ottawa also have the Kent theater? two theaters within a block or two of eachother.
those kinda look like the front doors to the Kent if i'm not mistaken.
I agree, MASH was the best war comedy since sound came in. D.W. Griffith eat your heart out.
Wow, individual ashtrays on every seat?!? Talk about catering to a dying segment of the population (I would have been there, though). No wonder it closed! ;)
I remember going there with my parents in the mid 50's but don't remember to much about the interior.
Nice looking building. Again, not surprised a parking lot is where this beauty stood.
Boy, what memories! Having grown up on Moy Ave. two houses north of Ottawa St., I remember it was our neighbourhood gang's regular Saturday afternoon activity to go to the Park (or occasionally the Kent: a much smaller theatre a block to the west) for the matinee, which usually consisted of two features.....one often a western....cartoons, a newsreel, a serial (anyone remember Johnny Mack Brown?) and previews. There were ushers and even, on Saturdays, a nurse (or at least a matron) to keep some semblance of order. One of my regular Christmas gifts was a book of Famous Players theatre tickets. When you had these (they were as economical as 12 cents for a kid's admission) you didn't have to stand in line at the box office. We've come a long way since then: much of it, I'm afraid, downhill.
ah, i thought the Kent was near by. thanks Hal!
I remember going there to see M.A.S.H. I didn't know that was the final movie. That's almost 40 years ago now and it doesn't seem like it's been that long.
My grandmother owned the Kent theater at 1237 ottawa street.