WormwoodsDogAndMonkeyCinema

Carpenter's Hall Space, 1988

Repertory Cinema in Halifax which had lots of LGBT programming.

History

Wormwood's Dog and Monkey Cinema was founded by Gordon Parsons and Ken Pittman with the first regular screening taking place March 19th, 19761. The NFB Theatre was used for screenings in the early years. In 1981, after GAE moved TheTurret out of that space, the first Wormwood's full-time home was constructed on the 3rd floor of the building now known as The Khyber Arts Centre. With 93 seats Wormwood's grew slowly, building a solid following.

By 1987 Ken Pittman had returned to Newfoundland and Gordon realized it was time to move and began searching for a new location and business partner. Peter Gaskin became Gordon's new business partner and manager of the theatre and the new locale was found at 2015 Gottingen Street in the old Carpenter's Union Hall. Gordon stayed in touch with the daily occurrences at the theatre but spent much of his time working on other projects from his SSHRC grant to the Atlantic Film Festival. Peter ran the day to day operations of the theatre in its new location, which saw the theatre grow to 151 seats, a Crying Room and the addition of a concessions stand, and Critic's Choice Video.

There were plenty of ups and downs in that location as well as the previous spot on Barrington Street, with public protests of controversial films like Hail Mary and The Last Temptation of Christ, poor attendance for some screenings and general disasters from snow storms to neighbouring gas spills. But perhaps the most devastating blow to the theatre was the untimely death of Gordon in June of 1993. Shortly after Gordon's passing an unstable lease evolved with the bankruptcy of the owner of the Carpenter's Hall, and Peter began looking for a new location, again. What appeared to be a terrific opportunity in the OldVogueTheatre proved to be the undoing of the enterprise. With shrinking attendance, a costly, dysfunctional heating system and waning enthusiasm, Peter left the theatre in October, November, 1997 and it closed on February 26, 1998.

HistoryProjectTodoList: need a paragraph on the all-important lesbian and gay programming, the first showings of lgbt interest movies in a permanent movie house, with examples below.

Programming

• Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (not sure when it was shown at WW)
• November, 1994: Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert
• MORE memorable things they ran

Origins Of The Name

Halifax Morning Chronicle, September 25, 1897, p. 5

Wormwood's Monkey theatre will play at the academy of music one week commencing September 27, and will give daily matinees, commencing Tuesday afternoon at 2:30. This company of unique entertainers consist of 31 monkeys and 24 dogs, who execute tricks that are highly amusing. They ride bicycles, turn somersaults, act as waiters, barbers, jugglers, fencers, comedians, and do many surprising and pleasing acts. These sober faced little animals are dressed like little old men and women, and understand and obey at the word of command. The scene at the races is very amusing. The dogs are harnessed to small sulkies and the monkies act as drivers; they make things lively as round the stage each one goes, trying to win the race. Another scene is the "Pardon Came Too Late," and is acted out in most human manner. As an extra attraction the management will present the latest projecting machine with new and startling views, including the Queen's jubilee parade and the Colonial and Indian troops. See the grand jubilee procession and the Queen in her carriage drawn by eight horses, and you will witness a sight of a life time and be as well pleased as though you were there at the time. Another attraction will be H. J. Daniels and his wooden family of talking children who never fail to please.

This public screening is thought to be one of the first in Halifax and was conducted by Edwin Porter, a pioneer of motion picture production.

Stories

put your Wormwood's stories here!

This page is part of the HistoryProject.