Decades ago, the Plaza Theatre began providing the men, women and children of Shaunavon and its surrounding area with a first class cinema experience.
Now today, generations later, the well-known historical landmark is celebrating its 80th anniversary as it continues to host satisfied movie-goers from around the Southwest.
“We’re very proud that we have so many patrons from Shaunavon and surrounding area that have supported us through the years. A lot of people come back to town and say they remember coming here... It’s a huge memory for generations of people,” said Bree Goldstein Allen, the current operator of the Plaza.
Notably, for the entirety of that 80 years, the Plaza establishment has remained under the operation of a single dedicated family. The theatre’s strong legacy is largely due to the involvement and family commitment of five hard-working generations of Durham descendants.
Preceded by the Idlehour Theatre, the Plaza held its Grand Opening on June 30, 1930, under the ownership of Lewis Benjamin (Charlie) and Lily Durham, great-grandparents of Goldstein Allen. The building had been originally constructed in 1927 by contractor Edward Strickland as a dance hall, but it was renovated in 1930 to become a Famous Players Corporation “talkie” movie theatre.
With seating for 640, the Plaza was considered the best of its kind for that time. Often, the movies played were new releases, playing in Shaunavon prior to viewings in the cities.
The building was the same structure as is seen today, though several renovations have taken place over the years, including the addition of a new projection system in 1946, a completely automated system in the early 1970s, and several remodelings.
For many years, hand-painted posters were used to advertise the movies. In 1946, the now antique marquee was added. Installed by a crew from Winnipeg, it and its letters are now irreplaceable.
Despite struggles, the family was even able to maintain the theatre during the Depression, and when Charlie died suddenly in 1937 at only 54 years of age, Lily and the three Durham children, Harry, Maude and Madge, took over operation of the business.
Maude married Ken Howell in the late 30s and their children, George, Barbara and Leslie grew up being involved in the theatre.
Leslie later married Herb Goldstein and returned to Shaunavon in 1972. They took over the Plaza in 1989 when Harry and Maude retired. In 1991, the Goldsteins split with Famous Players, and in 1997, they completed an extensive renovation on the theatre, returning it to an older style.
It was in the fall of 2005 that the theatre’s current operator, Bree Goldstein Allen, who is a daughter of Leslie and Herb, took over.
The theatre is also one of only two original Famous Players theatres left in Canada. “That’s a big title,” commented Goldstein Allen. “The building’s a landmark; everyone recognizes it.”
The Plaza crew intends to continue supplying entertainment for the residents of Southwest Saskatchewan. They also have plans to replace the theatre’s boiler, which is original to the building, with a new heating system.
“We have a lot of dreams and ideas, but will continue to provide live music, theatre and feature films. We’ll just keep going in the direction we’re going and see what comes,” said Goldstein Allen.
“We celebrate its legacy every day that it’s open,” she added. “But we do intend to do something special to honour it by the end of 2010.”

Special thanks to the staff at the Grand Coteau Centre for their assistance with this story.