# Sainte-Catherine Ouest! #concordia #forum #Loews #ogilvy #montreal Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROnYwk0QgSk Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/ROnYwk0QgSk Generated: 2025-10-05T14:01:30.184+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The video documents the historical and current state of entertainment venues and retail spaces along Rue Sainte-Catherine West in Montreal, contrasting the past glory of theaters like the Loews and Palace with the present commercial landscape, which includes modern retail like Simons and the former sites of demolished venues like the Forum and York theaters. **Key Points:** - The speaker discusses the former Loews theater on Rue Sainte-Catherine, noting it once featured performances by Duke Ellington and screened movies like 'The High and the Mighty'. - The Loews theater was demolished, and its location is now occupied by the Rogers store and the former Bell building (formerly the Paris cinema). - The York theater, built in 1938, was the largest building in Canada with 21 cinemas and 855 seats, which later failed and was replaced by a modern condo building. - The Forum, a massive venue with 9,300 seats, was demolished in 1997, with its site now occupied by residential condos. - The CVG (CVG-Métallique) building, which housed the CVG and Granada theaters, was demolished in 1998/1999, and the site is now occupied by the Concordia University Pavilion. - The speaker mentions that the Ogilvy department store, established in 1879, successfully adapted, while other retailers like Simpsons and Holt Renfrew Ogilvy continue to operate in the area. - The area, historically rich in entertainment (cinemas, clubs, restaurants), has seen significant change, with many older venues being replaced by modern structures or demolished. ![Screenshot at 00:24: The speaker stands on the pedestrianized Rue Sainte-Catherine near Rue Metcalfe, discussing the street's history as the former entertainment hub of Montreal.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-24.png) **Context:** The video is a documentary or historical exploration focusing on the evolution of entertainment and commercial architecture along Rue Sainte-Catherine West in Montreal, particularly highlighting the fate of several major historic theaters and department stores. The speaker walks the modern street, referencing historical photographs and facts about venues like the Loews, Palace, York, and Forum theaters, contrasting their past grandeur with the current urban environment featuring modern retail and residential buildings. ## Detailed Analysis The video explores the historical transformation of Rue Sainte-Catherine West in Montreal, focusing heavily on the rise and fall of major entertainment venues. The speaker begins by referencing the Loews theater, which showcased Vaudeville acts like Duke Ellington and screened major films like 'The High and the Mighty' (00:56). This location is now occupied by the Rogers store and the building formerly housing the Paris cinema (1:51). The speaker notes the irony that the prohibition of artists performing in US cabarets boosted Montreal's entertainment scene (2:08). The York theater (11:53), once the largest in Canada with 21 cinemas and 855 seats, eventually failed and was replaced by modern condos (11:57). The massive Forum, which seated 9,300 and hosted the Canadiens, was demolished in 1997, with its site now hosting condos (12:38). The CVG/Granada theaters were replaced by the Concordia University Pavilion (12:51). The speaker points out that while some historic businesses like Ogilvy's and Simons adapted, many others succumbed to changing tastes, such as the rise of television and later, the internet (2:47). The speaker concludes by visiting the area where the Forum stood, noting its former glory as a temple of hockey and the subsequent loss of its cultural significance. ### Historic Theaters on Ste-Catherine - Loews Theater featured Duke Ellington and 'The High and the Mighty' - York Theater (built 1938) had 21 cinemas and 855 seats before demolition - Forum (9,300 seats) demolished in 1997, site now condos - CVG/Granada theaters replaced by Concordia University Pavilion ### Retail Evolution - Ogilvy's (founded 1879) and Simons adapted, while other retailers failed due to changing consumer habits and the rise of online shopping - The area was historically a vibrant entertainment district with cinemas, clubs, and restaurants (2:28) ### Key Historical Markers - The Dominion Square Building (1928-1929) was the largest office building in Canada at the time, featuring modern elements like escalators (9:14, 9:33) ### The Decline of Live Entertainment - The closure of large venues like the Forum and the shift in entertainment consumption led to the decline of these grand structures (16:35, 17:22) ![Screenshot at 00:04: Intersection of Rue Sainte-Catherine and Rue McGill College in modern Montreal.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:07: A woman skateboarding past the building featuring the large mural of Leonard Cohen.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-07.png) ![Screenshot at 00:08: An electric bus \(100% électrique\) being charged inside a depot.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-08.png) ![Screenshot at 00:09: Two people cross-country skiing in a snowy park setting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-09.png) ![Screenshot at 00:15: The Montreal Biosphere dome structure reflected over water.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-15.png) ![Screenshot at 00:21: Title card 'Capitaine Montréal' displayed over a view from a train.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-21.png) ![Screenshot at 00:55: Historical lot map showing Sherbrooke, Metcalfe, Peel, and St. Catherine streets.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-00-55.png) ![Screenshot at 01:55: Black and white photo of Rue Sainte-Catherine in the past, showing the Loews theater marquee advertising Vaudeville.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-01-55.png) ![Screenshot at 03:23: Black and white image showing the ornate interior of the Loews theater.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-03-23.png) ![Screenshot at 03:53: Vintage color photo of a busy street scene at night with numerous neon signs, including the Loews marquee.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-03-53.png) ![Screenshot at 04:50: Black and white newspaper clipping advertising the movie Jaws, showing age restrictions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-04-50.png) ![Screenshot at 05:00: Black and white image of the Loews theater facade, showing a marquee advertising several acts and films.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-05-00.png) ![Screenshot at 05:25: Interior view of a modern retail space \(likely Holt Renfrew Ogilvy\) with a large 'Club Monde World' graphic on a brick wall.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-05-25.png) ![Screenshot at 07:33: Historical image of the York theater facade, showing its large marquee and fire escape.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-07-33.png) ![Screenshot at 09:30: Interior view of a grand lobby featuring two large, ornate escalators.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-09-30.png) ![Screenshot at 10:11: A black and white drawing of the Forum building under construction, showing its steel skeleton roof frame.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-10-11.png) ![Screenshot at 11:14: Interior view of a modern, brightly lit luxury retail space with glass enclosures, possibly Prada or Tiffany & Co.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-11-14.png) ![Screenshot at 13:18: Black and white photo of the Seville theater facade, showing the vertical 'SEVILLE' sign being worked on.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-13-18.png) ![Screenshot at 13:34: Black and white photo of the interior of the Palace theater, showing red seating and ornate architectural details.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-13-34.png) ![Screenshot at 13:44: Historical black and white image of a large, multi-story building \(John Henderson & Co.\) supported by external bracing during demolition or renovation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-13-44.png) ![Screenshot at 14:20: Excavator demolishing the exterior brick facade of a building.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-14-20.png) ![Screenshot at 15:58: Black and white drawing of the Forum building, showing its large, oval-shaped roof structure and the St. Catherine St. West frontage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-15-58.png) ![Screenshot at 16:21: The exterior of the Forum building after its 1960s modernization, featuring a large glass and concrete facade.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-16-21.png) ![Screenshot at 17:41: The exterior of the Forum building post-modernization, showing signage for 'Future Shop' and 'Energie Cardio' over the entrance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-17-41.png) ![Screenshot at 18:24: End screen showing Patreon supporters' names over a final shot of a park.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-18-24.png) ![Screenshot at 18:27: Call to action card for the 'CAPITAINEMONTREAL' YouTube channel.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ROnYwk0QgSk/00-18-27.png)