Court order stops Revue Cinema eviction for now

With its lease set to expire on Sunday after failed negotiations with its landlord, it looked like the curtain was about to close for Toronto’s historic Revue Cinema.

But the show will go on for now after a court injunction put the brakes on the looming eviction.

“The Revue Film Society received an injunction today, halting a proposed eviction,” Revue Cinema wrote in a social media post Friday night.

“This court order prevents the landlords from interfering with the Revue Film Society’s operations until trial.

“The Revue will not close on July 1, and will continue normal operations until further notice.”

Good news! pic.twitter.com/hG348RhnB1

— Revue Cinema (@RevueCinema) June 28, 2024

The cinema, which opened 400 Roncesvalles Avenue in 1912 and has been deemed a heritage site, earlier said its last day of operations could have been this Sunday.

“While we continue to attempt to negotiate in good faith with our landlord, we are unsure if we will be able to open past June 30,” the cinema said.

Important news! pic.twitter.com/AuO7DUeRtJ

— Revue Cinema (@RevueCinema) June 27, 2024

Earlier Friday Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow shared fond memories of attending the cinema — which stands as Toronto’s oldest standing movie theatre still in use.

Chow said she’s been frequenting the cinema since her high school days.

“It is so loved by Torontonians so I know the negotiations between the owner and the board did not work out, I hope there are other people that can step forward and keep the Revue Cinema open.”

The cinema’s website describes it as a “unique Toronto cultural treasure with a vibrant historic past and an unwavering community commitment.”

“We are dedicated to presenting programs which appeal to wide-ranging audiences of different age groups, diverse backgrounds and varying interests that reflect the ever-changing local community and the Greater Toronto Area.”

The cinema says it programs over a thousand screenings per year.

According to the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, “the Revue almost closed for good in 2007 when its marquee collapsed under the weight of a heavy snowfall. Thanks to the formation and fundraising efforts of the Revue Film Society, the cinema reopened that same year as a not-for-profit enterprise …”