Avenue Theatre

Victoria's first cinema was located in Oak Bay

courtesy Oak Bay Archives

Avenue Theatre (circa 1913) 2013 Oak Bay Avenue

The Avenue Theatre, built in 1913, was the first theatre in Victoria built specifically for the viewing of motion pictures. It was a dedicated film theatre. Most theatres of the day were stage theatres that would put up a screen and bring in a projector if a film was to be shown.

"...one of the best and most up-to-date theatres of its kind in B.C." .— 1913 newspaper ad

But despite recognizing and embracing the film industry in its infancy, the success of the Avenue Theatre was short-lived. For whatever reason, it closed its doors in 1921.

In 1922, the building was gutted to create a large open space — which served as an automotive garage for a succession of enterprises until 1943

n 1944, this historic building was converted to an apartment block — Oak Bay Apartments — and is still standing at 2013 Oak Bay Avenue.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Gary Wilcox photo .....

Avenue Theatre Building (c 2005)

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ARTIFACTS

1913 Newspaper Ad courtesy Ron Spence

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RECOLLECTIONS

Recollections may be abridged for length and/or clarity

My wife’s parents had a home built for them in 1913, in what is now Roslyn road, and took up residence in the same year. She recalls attending the theatre in 1913, and being carried home on her father’s shoulders.

The theatre was exclusively a motion picture theatre at that time. They showed a feature film and a serial, which was generally a thriller, and ended each showing at the most exciting part. “Continued next week” were the final words.

The bill of fare consisted of a good western, featuring such cowboy artists as William S Hart, Hoot Gibson and Tom Mix, who were the John Waynes of the Hollywood producers.

The serials generally consisted of such offerings as The Iron Claw, The Perils of Pauline, and Fu Manchu — all real heart stoppers. These shows ran for many years, certainly up to the mid twenties.

At times the theatre was hired by a light opera company for its live productions. In the mid twenties, I recall attending a light opera named Ermine, and being highly excited when I went backstage and mingled with members of the cast.

— John Adams (courtesy of The Oak Bay Star)

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Where was the "Avenue Theatre" sign located?

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