Landmark Building
ALLEN (PALACE) THEATRE
219 - 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Designed By: C. Howard Crane
Built in 1921
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Barney Allen and his two sons, Jules and Jay, found the first big international movie theatre circuit in 1906; it was Canadian, based in Brantford, Ontario. In 1909 they made Calgary their base of operations and opened the Allen (Strand) Theatre on 8th Avenue SE. By 1919, they were giants in the movie theatre industry. They owned and controlled movie theatres in every major Canadian city, and in the larger cities of the north-eastern United States as well. They also had plans to build new theatres (and take over existing ones) in both England and Russia. However, rival Paramount Pictures of New York succeeded in its attempt to block most popular movies from Allen Theatre screens, leaving the Allens to shoulder an enormous bank loan without hope of sufficient ticket revenue. In 1929, when the theatre was taken over by Famous Players, the “Golden Age of Cinema” still lay ahead but the Allen empire was already a thing of the past.
This Allen Theatre was opened October 25, 1921 with the Lieutenant Governor and Mayors S.H. Adams in attendance. Its construction was overseen by H.J. Allen, the cousin put in charge of western operations after Jules, Jay and Barney moved back east. The design, by architect C. Howard Crane, was largely based on that of the Toronto Allen Theatre which opened in 1917. T. Jagmin of Detroit was responsible for the interior decoration. When opened, it seated over 1,950; this number was subsequently reduced to 1,800. The exterior is faced in specially imported red tapestry brick, featuring five bays each with a three-light window with lunettes. A row of Corinthian order pilasters supported an entablature.
From 1923 to 1927, this building was the home of the Calgary Prophetic Bible Institute. It was run by the evangelist, and later Alberta’s first Social Credit Premier, “Bible Bill” Aberhart, who made his historic radio broadcasts, Back to the Bible Hour, from here, starting in 1925. Although purpose-built for showing movies, the theatre also hosted vaudeville shows, benefit performances, and various public meetings.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Calgary: Stephen Avenue and Area Historical Walking Tour. Alberta Culture, n.d., with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.