The Plaza Theatre was a popular movie theater located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. It opened in 1929, and operated for the next 70 years until finally closing its doors for good in 1999.
The Plaza Theatre was designed by renowned architect J.H.G. Russell and had an iconic art deco style that made it stand out among its contemporaries.
It had a seating capacity of 1,500 and featured a large, ornate lobby with grand staircases leading up to the upper balcony levels. The theatre also had a spacious balcony with comfortable seating, which was perfect for watching classic films on the big screen.
The Rise of the Plaza Theatre
When it first opened, the Plaza Theatre quickly became one of Winnipeg’s most popular theatres. It was known for showing some of the best films of its time and featured top name stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart. During its heyday, it was one of the most popular places to go in town for an evening out at the movies.
The Decline of the Plaza Theatre
By the mid-1970s however, interest in going to see movies at The Plaza had begun to decline as more people opted to stay home and watch television or rent videos from their local video store instead. As attendance dwindled, so too did revenue and by 1999 it became clear that The Plaza could no longer remain open and it closed its doors for good on December 31st of that year.
Legacy
Although The Plaza is gone now, its legacy lives on through those who still remember it fondly and who have fond memories of seeing their favorite films there in their youth. The theatre has been immortalized in various forms including books, photographs and even a mural painted by local artist Jim Breukelman on one side of Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District building.
Conclusion
: The iconic Plaza Movie Theater closed its doors for good on December 31st 1999 after 70 years of providing Winnipeggers with quality entertainment from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Even though it may be gone now, its legacy still lives on through those who remember it fondly and through various forms like books, photographs and murals depicting its grandeur.