Ouimetoscope, First permanent cinema in Gay Village, Montreal, Canada
The Ouimetoscope was a cinema located at 1204 Saint Catherine Street East with about 1200 seats and modern air conditioning systems in its spacious halls. The facility was remarkably comfortable for its time and provided viewers with a pleasant experience.
Engineer Leo-Ernest Ouimet founded the cinema on January 1, 1906, converting a former cabaret into North America's first large cinema. This establishment marked the beginning of cinema culture in the region.
The cinema presented French films from France and translated American productions with live musical accompaniment. These offerings reflected the city's international connections and made global entertainment accessible to audiences in the neighborhood.
The cinema had different seating sections accommodating various visitors and enabling many to afford film nights. The facility was designed so that people from different social backgrounds could enjoy the experience.
The original building underwent several changes and operated under different names such as Le Canadien and Festival Cinema before becoming Ouimetoscope again until 1992. These names tell the story of the varied periods the cinema experienced.
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