Ryan McNeil
I can’t say this surprises me, but it saddens me none the less. On December 6, The Carlton Cinema in Toronto will close for good.
For those of you reading this blog outside of 416, The Carlton is a bit of a mecca for indie movies here in my hometown. It has nine or ten screens and has long been dedicated to independent film. While gigantic monoliths of moviegoing and popcorn palaces around the city are only too happy to dedicate six screens to the latest Michael Bay blow-em-up, The Carlton has always proudly been a place to take in the worldly, weird, surreal, and sublime.
The cinemas might have been small, but they provided an intimacy for these thoughtful titles. Indeed over the years I had seen some wonderful movies there like GOODNIGHT AND GOOD LUCK, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS, and 21 GRAMS. Anytime I read or heard about an edgier title that I wanted to see, I always got a smile knowing that it was only a matter of time before it showed up at The Carlton.
Now that smile is gone.
It’s the way of the world unfortunately – Cineplex Odeon reports that receipts at The Carlton have been steadily declining for years – but it doesn’t make it any more palatteable.
If you live in Toronto, I highly suggest visiting the old girl one last time before she leaves us in two weeks. If you don’t, you’ll just have to take my word for it – lovers of good movies have lost a dear friend today.
Oh dear, I'm so sorry this happened. I've never been there but I know how you feel- the last independent old theater in northern New Jersey closed two years ago, and I really felt the loss. I remembered seeing movies like Little Miss Sunshine and Brokeback Mountain there, and it's just too bad that such wonderful old theaters are failing. Luckily there are still a few in Boston left.
Gasp! Nooooooooooo!!!!
Tragic!
An all too common story. If the MPAA has its way, we're going to hear a lot more about theaters closing. So sad.
@ Alex… I count myself lucky that I live in a big enough city to have ahandful of theatres like The Carlton, but it seems as though they're closing one by one.
@ Po… Tell me about it! Worse is that the fate of The Cumberland is still to be determined too 🙁
@ Megan… I'm starting to think people just don't wanna leave their house to see movies like these anymore.
Sorry to see it go. I saw "Sunshine" there back when I lived in TO a couple of years ago. I spent far more time at the Cumberland, though. Is there talk of it going too?
So sad. Saw many great films there. It is only a matter of time before the Cumberland goes as well. I fear that the Varisty and the AMCs will be consider the new "indie" theatres in a few years.
@ CS… I know theatres that feature indie cinema aren't exactly wicked profitable, but I'd hope that one or two could survive in a city this size.
Oh well, in the words of Freddy Mercury – another one bites the dust.
PS – Thanks for reading! Lookin' forward to reading your stuff. Us Toronto bloggers gotta stick together.