Circle Theatre

Circle Theatre is a historic single-screen movie theatre located in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Built by Oliver Stewart of Shelburne, construction was completed in February 1938, making it one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in the region. It was the first building in Alliston to have air conditioning, and local businesses would close early on Thursdays so patrons could attend screenings. The first film shown was Artists and Models starring Jack Benny. On December 21, 1938, Stewart held two free shows for children so parents could do Christmas shopping on Main Street, drawing approximately 1,000 attendees and giving the town one of its best business days in years. In 1941, Stewart installed a new V-shaped neon canopy sign on the front of the theatre. The following year was difficult: four projectionists left, the last being Whitney MacDonald, who departed in July for military service in the war and was replaced by Harold Cowie. In 1958, Whitney MacDonald purchased the Circle Theatre from Stewart. Scott MacDonald, Whitney's son, began managing the theatre for his father. In 1970, Scott and Linda MacDonald took over the theatre from his father, and in 1985 the seating was newly upholstered. In October 1986, the Circle Theatre closed indefinitely. Scott MacDonald, aged 63, passed away due to cancer. In April 2011, Peter and Kate Vander Zaag purchased the theatre. Renovations on the roof, ceiling, walls, floor, screen, speakers, projector, bathrooms, lobby, concession and seats took seven months. The Circle Theatre reopened on November 9, 2012, with Hotel Transylvania and Pitch Perfect as the opening films. In 2013, the theatre celebrated its 75th anniversary, and in November new seats were added, replacing the majority of the seating. Today, Circle Theatre continues to operate as a first-run movie house, offering general admission at $9.50 (HST included) and children and senior tickets at $7.50. It shows films with multiple daily screenings, typically at 7:30 PM on weekdays and matinees on weekends. The theatre remains a local landmark and a community gathering place in Alliston.

The Circle Theatre was built by Oliver Stewart, a resident of Shelburne, with construction completed in February 1938. It was the first building in Alliston to have air conditioning. Local businesses closed early every Thursday to allow patrons to attend movies. The first movie shown was Artists and Models with Jack Benny. On December 21, 1938, Stewart held two free shows for children so their parents could do Christmas shopping on Main Street; the town enjoyed one of its best business days in years, with approximately 1,000 attendees. In 1941, Stewart installed a new sign on the front of the theatre. The canopy was V-shaped and had neon lights. The following year, 1942, was a hard year: Stewart had four projectionists leave, the last being Whitney MacDonald, who left in July for the war. He was replaced by Harold Cowie. In 1958, Whitney MacDonald purchased the Circle Theatre from Stewart. Whitney was a projectionist. Scott MacDonald started managing the theatre for his father. In 1970, Scott and Linda MacDonald took over the theatre from his father. In 1985, the seating was newly upholstered. In October 1986, the Circle Theatre closed indefinitely. Scott MacDonald, aged 63, passed away due to cancer. In April 2011, Peter and Kate Vander Zaag purchased the theatre. Renovations on the roof, ceiling, walls, floor, screen, speakers, projector, bathrooms, lobby, concession and seats took seven months. The Circle Theatre reopened on November 9, 2012, with Hotel Transylvania and Pitch Perfect as the opening films. In 2013, the theatre celebrated its 75th anniversary. In November 2014, new seats were added, replacing the majority of the seating in the theatre.

• 2014

  November: New seats added, replacing majority of seating.

• 2013

  Theatre celebrated 75th anniversary.

• 2012

  November 9: Theatre reopened with Hotel Transylvania and Pitch Perfect.

• 2011

  April: Peter and Kate Vander Zaag purchased the theatre.

• 1986

  October: Theatre closed indefinitely.

• 1985

  Seating newly upholstered.

• 1970

  Scott and Linda MacDonald took over the theatre.

• 1958

  Whitney MacDonald purchased the theatre from Oliver Stewart.

• 1942

  Four projectionists left; Whitney MacDonald departed for war, replaced by Harold Cowie.

• 1941

  New V-shaped neon canopy sign installed.

• 1938

  Circle Theatre built by Oliver Stewart; construction completed in February. First film shown: Artists and Models.

• 1938

  December 21: Two free children's shows held, drawing ~1,000 attendees.

Small-town, community-focused single-screen cinema offering affordable first-run movies in a historic setting.

• Movie screenings

  First-run films shown multiple times daily.

• Concessions

  Snacks and drinks available for purchase.

1. 1Circle Theatre Official Websitecircletheatre.ca
2. 2History — Circle Theatrecircletheatre.ca
3. 3Wikidata: Circle Theatrewikidata.org