Bay and Queen/Then and Now

Looking south on Bay towards Queen in the early 1960's. This entire section of Queen would soon be demolished to make room for the new Sheraton Centre.

Click on images for a better view.

From Old City Hall looking west along Queen Street towards the old Broadway Theatre.
This was Toronto's first burlesque house with "Girlie" shows and movies.
In 1935, the manager was murdered in his office and his son-in law, Murray Little took over the management.
The infamous Casino Theatre (The Festival in the top photo) was located five doors west and operated until 1963.
In 1965 to preserve the architectural integrity of the new City Hall, the City expropriated three and a half acres on the south side of Queen Street and all of the buildings were demolished.
In these photos the work has already started.

Looking across the south east intersection of Queen and Bay. . The film playing at the Bay Theatre is "The Small World of Sammy Lee", released in 1963.
The Bay opened in 1919 as The Colonial and the facade was built with material rescued from the demolished Customs House on Front Street.
This block has been replaced by the Simpson's Tower.
Window detail of the Bay Theatre
The same window from the Customs House demolished in 1919
The Colonial Theatre
Another early view of the Colonial (far left) before the second story addition.
Similar views today, looking west from Old City Hall.
Looking east.
Shea's Hippodrome Theatre was demolished for the building of New City hall on the same site.

Lux Burlesque/Then and Now

Back in the 1950's and 60's Toronto had quite a few Burlesque Houses where men could go to watch women take their clothes off (but not all of their clothes) The Lux was on College at the top of Bellvue.

Looking west along College.
2011.
The men are waiting...
The girls arrive...There's a good article here.

A couple of ads from 1945 for the Casino on Queen.

The Casino (outlined). By this point it had changed names to the Festival and was showing international films. Built in 1936 the Casino finally closed it's doors in 1965 band was soon demolished.

Queen and Bay /Then and Now

Click on images for a better view.

From Old City Hall looking west along Queen Street towards the old Broadway Theatre.
This was Toronto's first burlesque house with "Girlie" shows and movies.
In 1935, the manager was murdered in his office and his son-in law, Murray Little took over the management.
The infamous Casino Theatre (The Festival in the top photo) was located five doors west and operated until 1963.
In 1965 to preserve the architectural integrity of the new City Hall, the City expropriated three and a half acres on the south side of Queen Street and all of the buildings were demolished.
In these photos the work has already started.

Looking across the south east intersection of Queen and Bay. . The film playing at the Bay Theatre is "The Small World of Sammy Lee", released in 1963.
The Bay opened in 1919 as The Colonial and the facade was built with material rescued from the demolished Customs House on Front Street.
This block has been replaced by the Simpson's Tower.
Window detail of the Bay Theatre
The same window from the Customs House demolished in 1919
The Colonial Theatre
Another early view of the Colonial (far left) before the second story addition.
Similar views today, looking west from Old City Hall.
Looking east.