The Stanley Theatre was popular with audiences from the day it opened in 1930 until it closed in 1991. With the threat of demolition hanging in the air, the theatre gained a new lease on life when the Arts Club Theatre Company announced it would take over the building and convert it to a live house.

The Vancouver Sun reported in April 1930 that “no time is to be lost on the construction of the new $225,000 theatre on south Granville street for Mr. Frederick Guest, of Hamilton, Ontario… the detail plans and specifications for the theatre are approaching completion in the offices of architects Hodgson and Simmonds, 198 West Hastings street… the new playhouse will have a seating capacity of 1,250 and will be ultra-modern in every respect… equipped with the latest for talking pictures and also a pipe organ.”

With comfortable seats and a great sound system the Stanley was a favorite for film goers in the 1970s and 80s. The Star Wars sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, premiered here in 1980 in glorious 70mm and 6 Track Dolby Stereo sound.

The Stanley Theatre is under construction in this 1920s photograph. By this time South Granville is a busy commercial street but there are still some empty lots for sale.

The Stanley Theatre has had a few canopies and signs over its long life. As originally built the theatre had a grand arched entrance and an iron and glass conopy. This was replaced in the 1950s with the current design and trademark script typeface. The verticl pink and green neon sign was added in 1947. Both were restored as part of the building’s rebirth as a live venue.