Searching For Monarch Theatre Artifacts

I need your help Medicine Hat, Alberta.

With production of the Monarch Theatre documentary well underway, it's become increasingly clear that there is an extreme lack of artifacts surrounding any of the movie theatres in this area. Having exhausted numerous archives, online resources, and the locations themselves - I wanted to ask the public if you have anything in your personal albums or collections?

Some of what I'm looking for:

1. Any photographs or souvenirs from movies theatres in the Medicine Hat area. This includes the Towne, Monarch, Drive-Ins, Empress, etc. One place to look is if you took pictures during a Stampede parade there's a chance you may have captured the theatre in the background. Really anything could be an asset as there are so few pictures from over the years.

2. Were you a former employee of a Medicine Hat movie theatre? Did you keep anything? Name tag, uniform, pictures, tickets, free movie swag, etc. Please reach out as you may have some of the only leftovers from these theatres.

3. In 1999 the Monarch Theatre gave away its old cinema seats to anyone who wanted to come and take them. Did you get one? Do you know someone who kept one? I would love to see an image or connect with anyone who may have done this.

4. This is a shot in the dark, but I'd love to know if anyone knows what happened to the old neon Monarch marquee when it was taken down? The assumption is that it just went to the dump because it wasn't working anymore, but if anyone knows anything I would love an update.

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered information and resources to help further the production of this documentary this year. With so little written or formally documented a lot of this project has been made possible through word of mouth.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have anything to share regarding the Monarch or any of the former Medicine Hat movie theatres. Thank you!

Contact here.

Monarch Theatre Documentary in Production

Currently in its second month of principal photography, my latest documentary featuring the Monarch Theatre in Medicine Hat, Alberta has provided some really memorable experiences so far. With hours of interviews shot and a deep dive into every space, cubby, and rafter of this old theatre, I'm already certain that I've uncovered a few untold gems in the story of this cinema that have never been formally documented or contextualized before.

In addition to this being a story about one of the oldest surviving cinemas in all of Canada, what's been particularly interesting about the Monarch is how little material actually exists about it. Photographs, artifacts, records, etc. are few and far between so connecting the dots to go beyond the obvious has been a really involved, but fascinating undertaking.

While I'm saving a lot of the surprises for the finished documentary, I wanted to share a few of the production highlights up to this point:

• Interviews are still ongoing, but a few early highlights have come from acquiring stories from both a 101 year old with a unique connection to the theatre and a 94 year old who used to work at the Monarch as a teenager.
• In addition to the obvious task of documenting the Monarch, the cinematic side of the production has involved playing with various lighting rigs, gimbals, cameras, props, and even painting with projections throughout the cinema. 
• As a result I'm certain I've now filmed and photographed more details inside the Monarch Theatre than anyone else in its 110+ year history.
• I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge how helpful the social media response has been, in addition to features in the local news, Toronto Star, etc. in helping to connect me with a wide array of people with memories about cinemas in this area.
• Numerous highlights have also come from uncovering clues through old paperwork, basement finds, and mapping out the history of the theatre. What's been so thrilling about this is that I know just the exploratory aspect of this documentary will be compelling to a lot of people who have likely never even heard of this place.
• Speaking to former employees has made me wish I'd have worked at a movie theatre as a teenager too lol.
• And finally, one of the absolute coolest things about shooting this documentary has been the unfettered access I've been given to the Monarch. While it was always going to feature this space, the ability to arrange and film every interview within the cinema, while also coordinating multiple ancillary shoots, has been practically ideal. 

There will be lots more to share in the weeks ahead, particularly as the project transitions into post-production in the spring. Follow the Editing Luke instagram for more regular updates and stay tuned for details about the release of this documentary later in the year. 

If you have any information or memories to share about the Monarch Theatre (or any of the former cinemas in the Medicine Hat area) please contact me via my business site here.

Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, Michigan

The Book Cadillac Hotel (also known as the Westin Book Cadillac) is a historic skyscraper, luxury hotel, and high-end residential tower in downtown Detroit, Michigan. When it first opened in December 1924, the Book Cadillac was the tallest building in Detroit and the tallest hotel in the world. It's perhaps not surprising then that this flagship hotel hosted everyone from Babe Ruth to Elvis Presley to John F. Kennedy when they came to Detroit.

 

Over the years the property changed hands to become the Sheraton Cadillac Hotel in 1951, the Detroit Cadillac Hotel in 1975, and the Radisson Cadillac Hotel in 1976. By the 1980s Detroit's economy was worsening and the property ended up finally closing its doors in 1984. With few prospects for renovation or redevelopment, the contents of the Book Cadillac were liquidated in 1986 and the structure was abandoned. Explore abandoned images of the Book Cadillac here. 

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. After being abandoned for nearly two decades, the Westin Book Cadillac reopened in 2008 after a $200-million restoration project. The new property houses luxury condominiums and penthouses in addition to over 450 hotel rooms. The Book Cadillac has officially reclaimed its reputation as one of the finest hotels in Detroit.