Nat Taylor
Encyclopedia
Nathan A. Taylor was a Canadian inventor. As head of Twentieth Century Theatres, an Ontario branch of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, he built one of the world's first cineplex
movie theatres in Ottawa, Ontario at the Elgin Theatre
. The Elgin's second screen opened in December 1947 on a patch of land adjacent to the original 1935 theatre. At first, the same program played in both auditoriums, but several years later Taylor came up with the idea of selling tickets to different movies from the same box office, laying claim as the first to do so. He also created one of the first movie theatres in a shopping mall
(the dual-screen at Yorkdale Plaza in Toronto, Ontario, opened in 1964) and one of the first in an office building (another dual-screen, opened in 1962 in Place Ville Marie in Montreal, Quebec). By the 1970s, Taylor had entirely sold all but a few of his theatres to Famous Players, yet he started a new theatre chain from scratch, with Garth Drabinsky
co-founding Cineplex Odeon
cinemas. The first location in 1979 at the Toronto Eaton Centre
had 18 screens (soon increased to 21), a Guiness World Record at the time.
He started the Canadian Film Weekly in 1941, edited by Hye Bossin. The magazine quickly became the key film trade paper in Canada, supplemented in 1951 with a yearbook for the Canadian film industry, and taking over the competing Canadian Moving Picture Digest in 1956. Taylor also distributed films, and produced
of one of Canada's first horror movies The Mask
. He was given a special Genie Award
in 1984 for Outstanding Contributions to the Canadian Film Industry. In 1982, he received an honorary degree
from York University
after donating a movie theatre in his name to the school.
He was married to Claire Drainie Taylor
, a well known Canadian arts figure. He died from natural causes.
Cineplex
-Specific multiplex groups:*Cineplex Entertainment, Canada*Cineplex Odeon Corporation, Canada*Loews Cineplex Entertainment, United States*MegaStar Cineplex, Vietnam*Cineplex Australia...
movie theatres in Ottawa, Ontario at the Elgin Theatre
Elgin Theatre
The Elgin Theatre can refer to:* Elgin Theatre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, a former movie cinema that was the first twin cinema in North America* Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
. The Elgin's second screen opened in December 1947 on a patch of land adjacent to the original 1935 theatre. At first, the same program played in both auditoriums, but several years later Taylor came up with the idea of selling tickets to different movies from the same box office, laying claim as the first to do so. He also created one of the first movie theatres in a shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
(the dual-screen at Yorkdale Plaza in Toronto, Ontario, opened in 1964) and one of the first in an office building (another dual-screen, opened in 1962 in Place Ville Marie in Montreal, Quebec). By the 1970s, Taylor had entirely sold all but a few of his theatres to Famous Players, yet he started a new theatre chain from scratch, with Garth Drabinsky
Garth Drabinsky
Garth Howard Drabinsky, OC is a former Canadian film and theatrical producer and entrepreneur. In 2009, he was convicted and sentenced to prison for fraud and forgery. His sentence is stayed, pending appeal.-Biography:...
co-founding Cineplex Odeon
Cineplex Odeon
Cineplex Odeon Corporation was one of North America's largest movie theatre operators, with theatres in its home country of Canada and the United States...
cinemas. The first location in 1979 at the Toronto Eaton Centre
Toronto Eaton Centre
The Toronto Eaton Centre is a large shopping mall and office complex in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, named after the now-defunct Eaton's department store chain that once anchored it. In terms of the number of visitors, the shopping mall is Toronto's top tourist attraction, with around one...
had 18 screens (soon increased to 21), a Guiness World Record at the time.
He started the Canadian Film Weekly in 1941, edited by Hye Bossin. The magazine quickly became the key film trade paper in Canada, supplemented in 1951 with a yearbook for the Canadian film industry, and taking over the competing Canadian Moving Picture Digest in 1956. Taylor also distributed films, and produced
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
of one of Canada's first horror movies The Mask
The Mask (1961 film)
The Mask is a 1961 Canadian horror film produced in 3-D by Warner Bros. It was directed by Julian Roffman, and stars Paul Stevens, Claudette Nevins and Bill Walker.-Plot summary:...
. He was given a special Genie Award
Genie Award
Genie Awards are given out to recognize the best of Canadian cinema by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. From 1949-1979, the awards were named the Canadian Film Awards...
in 1984 for Outstanding Contributions to the Canadian Film Industry. In 1982, he received an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
after donating a movie theatre in his name to the school.
He was married to Claire Drainie Taylor
Claire Drainie Taylor
Claire Drainie Taylor was a Canadian actor and writer, who wrote and acted in radio dramas for CBC Radio from the 1930s through the 1960s....
, a well known Canadian arts figure. He died from natural causes.