ELORA – Coming to a theatre near you, a theatre near you!
The Gorge Cinema is set to re-open on July 21 after being closed almost steadily since the pandemic started in March 2020.
And Payton Curtis, owner and operator of the cinema that originally opened in 1974, could not be happier.
“We had some dark times,” Curtis said in an interview in the theatre as he recalled the early days of the pandemic and how movie theatres at first were not allowed to open at all and when they could, they could not serve food or drinks.
“People like me had to really think about (reopening). I was losing money hand over fist.”
At the time, Curtis had a landlord who wanted to raze the historic building and construct a hotel in its place.
So it wasn’t just the pandemic that had him rethinking the future of the movie theatre.
His other job is as a stop-motion animator and he had an offer to work on a project with director Guillermo del Toro.
It wasn’t a bad gig as the movie – Pinocchio – won an Oscar in 2023 for best animated film.
“I love Guillermo del Toro, he’s incredible,” Curtis said. “But it was bittersweet going back to work.
“I saw old friends and the film was a big success. It felt good after two years of defeat.”
But the fate of the Gorge Cinema weighed heavily on Curtis. Until he learned he had a new landlord.
Now you can get popcorn or drinks for the new outdoor patio at the Gorge Cinema’s concession stand. Photo by Joanne Shuttleworth
Kristy Hillis and Don Kogan bought the building that houses both the cinema and the former Commercial Hotel, and the Elora Mews next door.
Hillis was born and raised in Elora and was horrified to see the state of many of the old stone buildings when the couple and their children returned to Elora to ride out the pandemic.
It turns out Curtis and Hillis used to ride the school bus together when they were kids.
Hillis committed to retaining the theatre and put some money into the facility.
It still has the same red theatre chairs, but there’s new flooring, carpet, heat and air conditioning, and the washrooms have been updated.
The first two rows of chairs have been removed with comfy, low-backed couches in their place.
There’s also a licensed patio outside that’s open Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 to 6pm.
The licensed patio outside the Gorge Cinema is open Wednesday to Sundays, 1 to 6pm. Photo by Joanne Shuttleworth
And most important for Curtis, the projector room is now climate-controlled as well, keeping the temperature safe and consistent for the benefit of the equipment.
The first film to be screened is The Miracle Club, starring Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney.
The show starts on July 21 at 7pm with a special 2pm matinee screening on July 26.
“This is basically a thank you to the many local folks who supported the theatre during those rough times,” Curtis said.
“I think they’ll love it.”
Bags of popcorn lay in waiting for opening night at the Gorge Cinema. Photo by Joanne Shuttleworth
Next up is North of Normal, which starts July 28 for one week and then Oppenheimer beginning Aug. 4.
Curtis is hoping to get Barbie as well, although that hasn’t been confirmed.
All the coming releases, showtimes and ticket details can be found at gorgecinema.ca.
“Once we find our footing, we’ll work up to two shows a day. And I hope to get some kids’ movies for matinees,” he said.
“We’re not there yet but we’ll get there.”
That’s a statement that two years ago, Curtis didn’t think he’d ever be saying again.
“Hopefully the efforts that have gone into this place will pay off,” he said.
“I’m just so happy to be showing movies again.”
