19 - 21 Forsyth Street - The Theatre
Plaza Theatre, Richard's Restaurant 1962
In 1949, Albert J. Maynes and his wife Helen Emerson purchased a large residential lot from Carl Heath. It was their intention to build a new modern theatre on the northern half of the lot. Albert instructed Ira Vesterfelt to tear down the 100 year old wooden framed house sitting in the middle of the lot.
Several prominent Marmora residents had lived in this large and well cared for home, they were; James McDonald, Margaret and John Brady, Orin Riley Jones and his wife Martha Green, Doctor William Graeme MacKechnie and his wife Ada Maitland Squires, Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Archer, and William Sanderson and his wife Catherine Brown
W. A. SANDERSON. (Bell. Intelligencer 1914)
A livery business that enjoys the prestige of being one of the best and oldest establishedin this section of the county is thatof the above. The premises occupied is located on Forsyth street. Phone 8. This business has been conducted by Mr. Wm Sanderson for three years. The stables are up-to-date in every respect. A number horses are run in connection with them. These animals are all noted for their quickness and good looks, while the vehicles a handsome and nicely upholstered. In addition to the straight livery and cab business transacted, a number of horses are boarded. The active management of the business looked after by Mr. W. A. Sanderson anda staff of careful and efficient driversareemployed • Special attention is given weddings and funerals, making it a featurewhile commercial men who cover the surrounding country always have theirrequirements and carefully attended to. Mr. Sanderson also deals in horses ofall kinds. The prices here will be foundmoderate. Ifyou need anything in this line, don't fail to give this house a trial.
19 Forsyth in 1947, Home of Charles and Annette Archer
THE BARNS OUT BACK!
Building the Plaza Theatre, 1950
On February 1, 1951, 'The Plaza' theatre was officially opened to the public. George Winston Mantle was the first projectionist. (Buck Mantle's father)
Projectionist George Mantle with wife Ivy
1953
Kathy Gracey: After we did our chores dad used to give us .25 cents 15 for our ticket and 10 for popcorn good old days
Colin Youmans: I remember. Old Yeller.also some Elvis Presley movies
Donalda Leonard: I remember Born Free
Photo from Tom O’Neill - 1964
YOUR MEMORIES OF THE THEATRE
Sharon Anne Vesterfelt Those times were good. After the movies we would go to the Chinese Restaurant next door and share fries with gravy and a piece of coconut cream pie. Best anywhere.
Lew Barker First time I remember going there was with my mother in early 1950's at the time the King of England died. There was a memorial with a picture of the King at the front of the theatre. Long time ago! Many fun memories of the theatre while growing up.
Darelene Newton Went to every Saturday afternoon for every show.. four times a month...over 40 shows a year...some repeats...from westerns, musicals and war movies by some of the most talented actors and actresses to come out of that era.
Pearl McCaw Franko We went every Saturday. Sometimes hard to find five quarters. Loved Doris Day movies and the Westerns. Great mystery of my life, 'where were they taking all those cows?' Movie after movie.
Jane Monk Sopha: I remember getting 2.50 allowance and would go to show buy a 45 record and a small pack of smokes with that 2.50 can you believe?
Jim Spry: I was always jealous of the Walker boys as they had lots of money for snacks & Ionly had 25 cents towards a bag of chips. Ialso remember in 1957 the OPP entering the theatre to find my parents to notify them that my brother Larry had hit a train down in Springbrook. I also remember when Larry Tandy had only a dime & was asking people on the street for a nickle so he could get into the Sat. matinee.
Deanna Peacock: I remember Santa came before the movies in Dec. - 10 Cent
Glenn Mawer All night movies , the line up was nearly half way down the street. All night movies were a blast
Rosealee Aims This is where we watched the Beatles's movies back in the 60's lol
Sandra L. Wilson I too worked both at the theatre and Richards. Love my memories of those times and smile every time I think about them.
Graham Bell I can’t recall the name of the Dry Cleaners, but if you took your receipt to the Saturday Matinee, they would accept it for entrance to the movie in lieu of the 10 cent fee.
Annmarie Willman-Spry The 1st time I ever went to a show was at that theatre in 1970 with my foster siblings & cousins Brent, Arnie, Laurie, Tammy & Cherry Walker. The movie was Airport with Dean Martin/Burt Lancaster. We loved it!
The first full length feature that played was 'The West Point Story' starring Doris Day and James Cagney. (Click for short clip)
After 6 years of operation, the theatre had shown 887 features.
Sharlene Callery Dennis’ and my first date in '67 at the theatre.
Lois Derry
Fond memories of that theater. 10 cents to get in, 10 cents for a glass of coke and 5 cents for a mackintosh toffee (that you dropped on the floor to break into pieces). Then there were the Empey sisters who were the ushers. It was like your Mom was right there with you. Never forget going the midnight show to see the original Night of the Living Dead, then having to walk home at 2 am. Scared the bejesus out of me! Oh, and then Kirk Douglas as Spartacus! Great show!
MaryLou I can remember the sat afternoon matinee. I had 35 cents 15 cents for the show , 10 cents for a pop and 10 cents for popcorn .Oh Oh I just dated myself .Good old days .
When the theatre closed, the facility housed a number of other activities, including clarke rollins election office and a theatre production for a nursery school fundraiser.
In December 1970, the Plaza Theatre operated by the Maynes family closed its doors. On April 29, 1971, Robert Moon of Campbellford reopened the theatre. The opening feature that played that night was 'A Girl in My Soup' starring Goldie Hawn and Peter Sellers. Mr. Moon operated the theatre for a short period of time and when vacated in 1981, Bob and Marg Maynes tried to sell the building. It did not sell so they levelled the floor, instructing the contractor to leave the theatre seats on the slanted floor below. They converted the building into a Stedman's V&S Store.
Julie Maynes, daughter of Robert and Margaret closed the Stedman's V & S and Country Treasures gift shop in April, 2009. Since that time, the space has been leased to the T. Arman Clothing Co., running the business as the "Marmora's Dollar Plus".
Photo by Jeanette Seabourne
