Everyone loves a holiday movie, and you’ll be glad to know that you can catch one for free on one of the most unique theatres in East Vancouver. This festive season, you can watch some clips from Christmas classics on the tiniest screen you’ll ever see them on at the East Van Vodville Cinema.
Vancouver and Cinema
With a long and storied history with the movie industry, Vancouver has a close relationship with filmmaking. Many popular films and television shows have been shot all around Metro Vancouver. From the recent hit show The Last of Us to Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine starring Vancouver’s own Ryan Reynolds, plenty of blockbusters can call our city their home.
But the East Van Vodville Cinema goes a bit farther than today’s modern movies. Created by artists Janet Mader and David Bynoe, the East Van Vodville Cinema is inspired by the city’s once-oldest vaudeville and film theatre called the Pantages Theatre. Heritage Vancouver states that the theatre was designed by the architect E.E. Blackmore in 1907 and featured an interior that was draped in “ornate, classically-inspired plasterwork.”
Sadly, the Pantages was demolished in December 2011 due to depleting interest, a lack of funds, and the building’s decay. Regardless, the Pantages remains a huge part of Vancouver’s and Canada’s cinema history and the East Van Vodville Cinema aims to capture that charm.
A (Short And Sweet) Free Holiday Movie In Vancouver
Walk down the alley and find the fourth window. You can recognize the little cinema from its red borders and gold text, reminiscent of vintage theatres and classic films. The marquee also announces today’s showings. Bend down or step up onto the provided stump, peer through the window, and you can see a scale replica of the Pantages!
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The East Van Vodville Cinema is completely free and open to the public 24/7. This holiday season, you can catch clips from:
- The Snowman (1982)
- A Very Merry Cricket (1973)
- The Gift of Winter (1974)
- A Cosmic Christmas (1977)
- Jingle Bell Rocks (2013)
You can find this little theatre on 1601 Venables Street, hidden as the fourth window from the alley. You can also find their Instagram here!
It’s the perfect place for cinema and history lovers. Just don’t forget to bring the popcorn!
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