Embedded Files
Halton Hills' connection to the film industry dates back to the dawn of film in 1909.
The first documented movie theatre in Acton was the Wonderland Theatre, opening in May 1909. It was first opened by Morris Saxe and Able Maldavor but was soon purchased by Russell L. Gregory and later renamed the Gregory Theatre. Gregory would then relocate his theatre across the street to 6 Mill Street East in 1948 and renamed The Roxy. This theatre would operate until closing in 1961.
The first known movie theatre in Georgetown was the Rex Theatre, dating back to 1914. Another theatre to open in Georgetown was the Gregory Theatre, located at 72 Mill Street, owned by Russell Gregory, in December 1928. It too, same as the theatre in Acton, would eventually be renamed The Roxy but later sold to Odeon. In April 1958, this theatre suffered fire damage and did not reopen, despite the building receiving renovations.
The final movie theatre to operate in Halton Hills was the Georgetown Cinemas 3, bringing movies back to Georgetown after 21 years. It operated at 235 Guelph Street from March 1979 until its closing in May 2008, marking the end of commercial movie theatres in Halton Hills.
It is to note, the John Elliott Theatre at the the Halton Hills Public Library, Georgetown branch, known as the Halton Hills Cultural Centre, occasionally presents films.
The Roxy Theatre, 6 Mill Street E., Acton - 1955 Photo Credit: Dills Collection
The former Gregory Theatre, 72 Mill Street, Georgetown - 2022
Photo Credit: Town of Halton Hills
Grand Opening advert for Georgetown Cinemas 3, from The Herald; February 28th, 1979
Photo Credit: The Herald / Halton Hills Public Library
The earliest known surviving film, capturing a location in Halton Hills, is of Acton from early 1935 showing the shovelling of snow on Mill Street East.
Recorded on 8 mm film, Pharmacist Ted Hassard used a hand-cranked camera capturing a group of men shovelling snow outside his store, once located at 32 Mill Street East. It also includes brief scenes along Mill Street and even a scene of cars turning at the intersection of Mill & Main Streets, with the Dominion Hotel seen in the background.
Another example of early surviving film would that be of Stars of the Town: Acton from 1949.
Filmed by Rev. Roy Massecar, and part of the University of Western Ontario archives, it too, like Hassard's film, captures life around Acton but in greater length and at a time when the community was booming with industry.
Today, Halton Hills continues to be a favourite place among directors and producers of films for its unique landscape and small town charm.
A frame from the Ted Hassard film of men shovelling snow on Mill Street East - 1935
Photo Credit: Hassard Collection
Local television came to the area we know today as Halton Hills in the late 1960s.
It was in August 1967 when a proposal was brought to Georgetown town council, by Norman Cable Construction of Rexdale, to install a tower and cables for the purpose of cable television. By January 1968, work got underway for the construction of a 150-foot tower near the YMCA Camp in Norval. It was also at this time when cable was being buried along the streets of Georgetown. The first service provider was known as Georgetown Cable TV Ltd, giving local viewers nine channels with local programming being shown on the company's exclusive channel 5. With Georgetown receiving cable tv, by September 1968, Acton town council was looking into having Georgetown Cable extend to Acton.
The first local broadcast was on Saturday, December 21st, 1968 with the showing of the Georgetown Santa Claus Parade. More programming would soon follow. Service would soon spread to Acton as well. The name for the local cable tv company was changed to Halton Cable Systems Ltd. in 1974 to reflect its service area following regionalization of Halton Region January 1st of the same year.
In May 1981, Halton Cable Systems Ltd. relocated its studios and production facilities from 247 Armstrong Avenue to 11 Main Street North in Acton, and by 1990, they would move again to new facilities at 21 Main Street North. It would be in 1999 when Cogeco TV would purchase Halton Cable Systems and its parent company Cableworks, as approved by the CRTC on December 23rd, 1999. The Halton Cable division would merge with cable stations in Oakville and Burlington to form Cogeco TV Halton. The studio in Acton would be shut down and relocated to Milton to serve all of North Halton.
Today, Cogeco TV continues to offer local programming and coverage to Acton and Georgetown under the brand YourTV Halton on Cable 14/700 HD.
Logo for Halton Cable Systems Ltd.
Exterior of Halton Cable Systems, once located at 11 Main Street North, Acton, Ontario - 1981
Photo Credit: Dills Collection
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