Hollywood Theatre

• By
• Kristen Hilderman

Image by Kristen Hilderman
The old school charm of 1930's cinema in Vancouver's trendy Kitsilano neighbourhood

As one of Vancouver's oldest movie theatres, the Hollywood on Broadway is a beacon of vintage cinema charm

It’s all in the name. The Hollywood exudes the glamour and charm of old-fashioned theatres in their heyday. Granted, that charm has somewhat faded since its 1935 opening, but it lends the theatre a vintage quality that seems to be a sought-after aesthetic in a city that’s becoming increasingly glass and concrete.

A Vancouver original

Besides the fabulous poster cases that have have likely been hanging out front since the Second World War, another of the theatre's original features is the owners. From Charlie Chaplin to 21st century blockbusters, the same family has owned and operated the Hollywood Theatre, maintaining its status as a much-loved fixture in Vancouver.

The owners have managed to infuse state-of-the-art upgrades—like a Dolby sound system and air conditioning—while maintaining the old-school charm and original look. It is, after all, one of the oldest theatres in all of Vancouver.

The price is right at the Hollywood

One of the things that makes the Hollywood such a crowd favourite is its two-movie tickets. All tickets are double bills, and yet they’re still astonishingly inexpensive. And forget what you heard about “cheap Tuesdays,” Monday nights at the Hollywood theatre are $6 for two movies.

The Hollywood shows second-run features, including lesser-known indie flicks and mainstream hits. So if you really need to see the next installment in The Twilight Saga, for example, on the silver screen but don’t want to battle your way through a crowd of panty-flailing Twi-moms, keep your channel tuned to the Hollywood's marquee or website.

The theatre also plays host to non-cinematic events, such as Vancouver photographer William Jans's wildly popular, if kooky, travel slideshow performances.