Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Corner Fifth Ave and Wellington.

After going to the Fifth Ave. Theatre we would go to the restaurant across the street. I don't remember the name but could it be the Prince of Wales Restaurant at 4949 Wellington wich I got from the Lovell 1952 directory. They had booths and the old push button record selector at each table. I'm going back to the fifties but maybe some old timers remember this favorite gathering hangout of many Verdunites.
 
Guy

38 comments:

mattmullaly MSN said...

Ray,   They had booths, they had tables and they had a counter. It was a typical "soda fountain" of the time and it was informally called Tassees (pronunced TASS-ees).   Matt

les__f MSN said...

..and you could get a cool one on the other side of the restaurant (on Sunday too) ....it was like a little fancier dining room connected to the restaurant (around the very early 70's) and as the song says,the minimum drinking age,was merely a suggestion),,,,,,hahahahaha                HF&RV

newfydog9 MSN said...

Ah yes.......Tassie's......sure brings back memories! Hung out there around '58 - '59 until I joined the Air Force.   By the way, Matt......are you related to Johnny Mullaly????? Went to St Willi's HS with him although he probably wouldn't remember me. I do remember that he was 'quite' the character.....lots of fun too!!!!   judy in NB

judy MSN said...

Hi Judy I remember John quite well, I too hung around Tassies 58 & 59.  There was quite a crowd., it definatley was a meeting place. Judy (Brown ) Wright

guy5479 MSN said...

I will take a photo on my next trip to Verdun of the present building. Guy

scooter MSN said...

The Jolly Rodgers Motorcycle crowd also hung out there , in the 1940's, and I rember Mrs. tassie well, she was much younger then husband,and a very nice lady who treated  us all very well.   A hot chicken sandwich went for 30 cents   When Mr Tassie past away,  Mrs Tassie re maried , and it was the young guy that had been the bus boy, she looked very happy.   Latter in the 1950's , I would go in for noon day meals, able to get there during my lunch hour, about a 10 min. ride from work.   Ron Larman

guy5479 MSN said...

I am now back in action after taking the summer off from my duties at the SHGV. I took the following pictures yesterday. Also included an old family picture from one of our members at the same corner with the theatre in the background.   Guy Flower Shop in place of 5th Ave. Theatre                   Building Across the Street where the Prince of Wales Restaurant was Situated.      

football19610 MSN said...

I sent this message earlier but am not sure if it got through.   Wasn't the PRINCE OF WALES Resturant at the corner of  Rielle and Wellington? I can remember the old man that owned it at one time, would sit on a stool at the cash register,which was right at the front window.  There was a streetcar line that went down Rielle to about the laneway for turn-arounds if the Inspectors order the drivers to turn back the way they had just come from.  That usually happened when there were a lot of people to be picked up and they didn't want to send the streetcar all the way to the turn around at Woodland and Wellington / LaSalle

football19610 MSN said...

Hi Guy - Me Again   Before anyone corrects me the Resturant at the corner of Rielle was PRINCE GEORGE Resturant not Prince of Wales.  The memory of their sign came back  to me. Haven't quite lost it all. LMAO

the lad MSN said...

Hi   I mixed up the 2 restaurants myself awhile back..Prince of Wales made great coke popsicles.The Prince George made a coca cola the old way..add the syrup,water,ice and stir...   Lad

football19610 MSN said...

Hi Lad   Aah Those sweet memories.   George

guy5479 MSN said...

As we all know, there were 4 theatres in Verdun, the 5th ave. the Savoy, the Palace and the Park. All us old timers frequented those theatres on a regular basis, sometimes one a week, so they were very familiar to us and part of our lives.. As promoters of the history of Verdun, myself personally and our society (SHGV) would like to have more  information on these theatres, particularly photos. We have photos of the exterior of the Savoy, but none of the other three, except for the family photo with a glimpse of the 5th ave. theatre. I have the excellant photos and article on the Park Theatre wich appeared in the Gazette in the late seventies after the theatre burnt down but no photo of the exterior. I also would also like to have an old the photo of the Palace theatre. I have taken photos of the present buildings so that we can have before and after photos. Guy              

the lad MSN said...

Hi Guy   Was there not a movie theatre on Wellington and Hickson next to the sports store. Dorais Sports I think.?Or was that the Palace..?  been a long time..am I also thinking there was one on Church near Leon Houle.   Lad

les__f MSN said...

Here's a shot of the inside entrance lobby of the Savoy (opening day in 1938) these & others can be found on page 3 of the Pictures links ,posted several years back. We do have some great old Verdun photos in a lot of the albums. here's the screen shot here's a shot of one of the exit doors that as kids we would burst out of after the movie,.( or were used to sneek kids in).....hahahahahah ........and here's two versions of the entrance ( as it changed over the years)\                          I will see what I can do to find photos of the others,if I can  I haven't spent alot of time this summer on the computer searching or posting,but do manage to keep up to date with a quick glance each day.                                            Have Fun & Remember Verdun

guy5479 MSN said...

Les, I have those photos of the Savoy Theatre wich you posted a while back. Here is a picture of the building today wich I previously posted, I recognise the wall on the right wich is original. I also remember the lineup used to go all around the corner in the 40s and 50s, any out there remember that. As a matter of fact, I remember seeing For Whom The Bell Tolls with Garry Cooper and Ingrid Bergman in the middle 40s and standing in line at that theatre.  Guy  

les__f MSN said...

What a dull facade it has today,.... Do you Remember the first business to operate out of that spot,after the Savoy Theater closed as a Movie Theater?  It was a Consumer Distributor,.one of the first 'direct buy' type of business... I bought my Mom a 'Family Ring' from there when I was a young teenager,it was one of those rings that had a birthstone for every member of the family.She still has it to this day...........  wonder if Verdun with it's aging population,and new investment in waterfront & real estate etc etc .......I wonder if they would consider building a New Movie Theater,....it seems like a good place to have one,or two.... The age of renting movies,dvd's etc etc ,seems to have become almost boring & I would think a dual purpose place ,would do well these days,...Maybe a Theater on a few weeknights & weekends,and maybe something else for the off hours,perhaps like a Conference Type of Center....or whatever...?? It would be nice to see some 'new' life infused to Verdun ///// What do you think??                                                   HF&RV

football19610 MSN said...

Don't want to open up a can of worms, but with the Province's Language laws , would you be able to open a brand new theatre to show english movies?

les__f MSN said...

I would imagine as long as outside signs are regulation, they would be able to.    ...............                                                                        hf&rv

cdsalmela MSN said...

Don't forget the cherry cokes - my fave!   Carol

violetbowden1 MSN said...

Hello,


There was a french theatre on wellington and hickson I used to live right
besiede the theatre and one night we got in the back door and threw in a
back of snakes.  Good times.


Violet Bowden,

Verdun


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Corner
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From: the lad



Hi Guy


 


Was there not a movie theatre on Wellington and Hickson next to the sports store.


Dorais Sports I think.?Or was that the Palace..?  been a long time..am I also thinking there was one on Church near Leon Houle.


 


Lad



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victah12 MSN said...

Note to Violet: Violet, I can't believe you'd do that, toss snakes into a theater! You baad girl you! Ha! That Palace theatre burned down around 1940, several people and kids died in the stampede to get out. They rebuilt it and it was quite the theater. I saw my first technicolur movie there in 1942. (A saturday matinee.) "WINGS" with James Cagney! My Uncle took us and I'll always remember those Marshmallo chocolate bars. YUM! YUM! They only allowed kids under 16 in on special Saturdays, if an Adult accompanied them. AHHH, those were the days! The olde Palace Theater. sez Victah C.

sharon_starr MSN said...

OMG the memories!!! I had never remembered about the coke popsicles at Prince of Wales till it was mentioned! They were GREAT! My Mom used to take me there when I was really young once a month as a treat! Anyone know when the Prince of Wales closed? I think it must have been in the late 60's/early 70's some time, no? And Prince George...omg their MALTED MILK was to die for! When I got my first job, I would go there for supper every Friday and order the same thing: A malted milk. french fries with gravy and a plain western sandwich. YUMMO! I believe the Lappos family owned it, no? I went to school with Denis...he was cute They'd cry to see what the inside of the locale looks like now, or at least the last time I was in there...It was a fruit and vegetable store, not very clean and not very pretty smelling inside I have to say. AND THE SAVOY! Oh my God I have so many memories from that place! The Verdun Messenger used to have a coupon in it for the weekend movie and I would be standing in line with that coupon and my quarter, the price to get in. I'd have penny candy stuffed in my pocket to eat because my Mom couldnt afford any more than the 25 cents. I saw so many great movies! And does anyone who went there remember that any girls would get up on stage during intermission and dance to the music that was played? hehe It took me 2 years before I got up the courage to go up there myself. OMG the MEMORIES!!

westfoby MSN said...

Restaurant was called  TASSE

guy5479 MSN said...

In the English Corner of the Verdun Messager there is mention that Verdun had 7 theatres. I am only aware of 4, The Park, Palace, Savoy and Fifth avenue. Is this an error ? I will try to find out. Here is the article: Guy   

les__f MSN said...

Interesting Guy , What about the church Movies that a few members here have mentioned ( around 5th or 4th ) .....in a church basement I think it was. but I doubt if it was counted officially as a VerdunTheater.  I would wonder though ,if they did consider the outdoor bandshell at woodland as an 'outdoor theater' as they did play movies on a large screen at one time , At least I think that's what I read somewhere, I never saw anything there,but ?????  TYhat would raise the total a little bit,Did Verdun have another outdoor spot ? What years are they suggesting ? Thanks for the input Guy...............keeps us guessing & thinking......................................HF&RV

guy5479 MSN said...

Les, During my youth growing up in Verdun in the 40s, it was customary to have movies in some of the parks such as the Bandshell you mention wich I incidently attended and I doubt that the school basements are included in the 7. Another park that had movies wich I also attended was the one at the corner of  Bannantyne and Hickson. I doubt that anyone would remember that one. I have sent an e-mail to the Messager for more details. Guy 

les__f MSN said...

Hi Guy let us know what the Messanger knows .. What about an old Verdun Phonebook from the 30's or 40's 0r 50's,.wouldn't there be a list under Movie Theaters or Cinemas or somethin like that ?  The basement I was mentioned was in a Church not a school, and from what I can remember of what's been mentioned it seemed well known to several of our members, & so I wondered if they were considered a Movie Theater (or just a place to see Movies) if it was a regular occurences then it may have been considered in the total. The park you mention on Bannatyne , I think is one that I posted pivtures of years ago, where they had a gathering of kids from all over,( I think it was like a Summer Camp outing, with movies & even some nights a Bonfire in the park,..if it was the same park then I think it was sponsored by the YMCA ( at least the photos I posted were )...............If I can find them again I will post them here & maybe you might recognise the place & confirm it being the same park                                                  havefunandrememberVerdun

biking2006 MSN said...

We had regular movies for 20 cents at the building across from the Willibrord Park on Verdun Avenue. I think it was a VFW Building. I think they were shown on a Saturday afternoon.
Bill

les__f MSN said...

Bill is this the building you were thinking of,? If so, then this is the Verdun Legion Branch #4.....and it is directly across from the City Hall on Verdun Av Btwn Willibrord Av & 1st av.              photo from MaggieMck's Photo Album on pg #7 of the pictures link , entitled Just Verdun                                                                           HF&RV

stephenfredmond MSN said...

First Presbyterian Church 501 5th Ave. in Verdun and the Verdun United Church 650 Woodland Ave. had theater seats in their basements for the movies. Steve

stangiles MSN said...

Wasn't that restaurant known as "Tassies" ??

lorraine MSN said...

I remember both very well.  Think the restaurant was called Tassies.  Had the BEST ice cream cones too!!! Lorraine from 4th and Wellington. xo

biking2006 MSN said...

That's the building Les. If I remember right, once you enter the front door there are some steps up to another door to an auditorium where the we watched the feature movie. There was usually a serial short first, and then we would all holler loud with pleasure when the cartoon would start. We were given a numbered ticket at the door, and after the lights came back on a raffle was held. I think the prize was a dollar. An enormous sum for this 10 year old 2nd Ave. boy. I suspected the drawing was rigged, because it was usually an older teenage girl who won. One winner I recall was a very pretty neighbour of mine, Alice Daily.
Bill (Second Avenue)

the lad MSN said...

Hi   First Pres. spent many a Sunday there..Sunday school..anyone else out there? Saw a Friday night movie way back when..Elvis in Love Me Tender... My first with older crowd..Until someone let a stink bomb off...   Lad

sandy19465 MSN said...

Tassie's and The Prince of Wales are one and the same and yes, they did have the best ice cream which they made themselves - here is a good site - I don't know if it has been posted before - it shows the one-way streets in Verdun   http://spacingmontreal.ca/neighbourhood/verdun/        

sue36xx said...

It was at the corner of 5th and wellington prince of whales

Anonymous said...

I think Prince George was on Wellington near Rielle

Les_F said...

That sounds about right 'anonymous'but the Prince of Wales was at 5th & Wellington.
Amazing though how many restaurants Verdun had in those days.
Cheers ! Les