The Palace Was Built In 1921 As A Link In The Allen Theatre Chain By Pioneer Canadian Movie Theatre Tycoon Barney Allen And Sons. It Has An Excellent Association With Several Facets Of Calgary's History. The Palace Played Host To Vaudeville Shows And Later To Such Renowned Performers As Jan Peerce And Nelson Eddy. Benefit Performances For The World War Ii Effort And For Victims Of Flooding In Bowness And Sunnyside Were Also Held Here.
In November 1925, William "bible Bill" Aberhart, Evangelist And Alberta's First Social Credit Premier, Made The First Of Many Sunday Afternoon Broadcasts From The Palace, As The Allen Later Came To Be Called.
The Theatre Is A Very Good Example Of The Renaissance Revival. It Was Designed By C. Howard Crane. A Row Of Corinthian Pilasters Is Arranged Across The Brick Facade. The Five Central Bays Project Slightly, And Each Contains A Three-Light Window With Adamesque Lunettes. The Pilasters Support An Entablature, Above Which Is A Decorated Blind Roundheaded Arch. Much Survives Of The Fine Interior, Including Some Detailed And Distinctive Plasterwork. The Theatre Seats 1,700. The Palace Is The Sole Intact Survivor Of Calgary's Early Theatres. The Palace Was Closed Permanently By Famous Players In February 1990. (1991)
In 1996, The Province Issued A "notice Of Intent To Designate" The Theatre Pursuant To A Development Permit Application For A Retail Use That Necesitated The Removal Of Much Of The Historic Interior. The Notice Reads: "at One Time All Of Canada's Major Cities Boasted One Or More Large, Ornate And Beautifully Appointed Movie Theatres. Unfortunately, Few Have Survived, And The Palace Theatre Is The Best Example Of This Type Of Theatre That Remains In Alberta. Constructed In 1921 Shortly Before The "talkies" Came Into Fashion, The Palace Was Built To Make An Impression Of Opulence And Grandeur And Thus Live Up To Its Name. Much Of The Lavish Interior Remains Intact, Which Gives A Particular Value To This Building. The Palace Theatre Was One Of A Number Of Theatres Owned By The Allen Family. At One Time Their Chain Of Theatres Was The Largest In Canada. The Theatre Also Played A Role In The Early Development Of Radio In Western Canada. The First Public Broadcast Of Radio In Calgary Took Place At The Palace, And William Aberhart Began To Broadcast His "back To The Bible" Hours From The Stage Of The Palace In 1925. Over The Years A Succession Of Important Artists Appeared At The Palace Ranging From Nelson Eddy And Charles Laughton To Touring Rock Bands. The Theatre Played A Central Role In The Arts And Entertainment In Calgary For Over 60 Years And It Remains One Of The Few Grand Theatres Left Anywhere In Canada. It Is Therefore Considered That Preservation And Protection Of The Resource Is In The Public Interest. Dated This 2Nd Day Of February, A.d. 1996". (1996)
With Assistance From The Stephen Avenue Heritage Area Society, The Facade Of The Palace Theatre Was Restored To Its Original Appearance In 1998. Adaptive Re-Use Of The Interior Was Also Undertaken To Accommodate A Nightclub And Cigar Lounge, With The Assistance Of The Alberta Historical Resources Foundation. All Proposed Alterations Are Reversable, And The Historical And Architectural Integrity Of The Building Remains Intact. The Palace Nightclub Was Officially Opened On Wednesday, May 13, 1998. (1998)
Earn 10 points!
Photo: Image from calgaryherald.com (http://wpmedia.calgaryherald.com/2011/10/palace-todayhc9.jpg?quality=55&strip=all)