One Theatre Way - documentary on movie palaces and playhouses

"Brothels and booze-tents lined the main street of Winnipeg the Wicked."

One Theatre Way: Movie Palaces and Playhouses is a thoughtful and visually rich documentary film by Canadian filmmaker Perry Mark Stratychuk, exploring the vibrant legacy of historic movie theaters and vaudeville stages in Winnipeg, Manitoba,Canada. Once a North American hub for the legendary Pantages Vaudeville chain and a key stop for the Keith and Orpheum circuits, Winnipeg hosted performances by icons like Charlie Chaplin, Klondike Kate, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff—long before the rise of television.

From early tent screenings of Georges Melies’, A Trip to the Moon to the grandeur of the Walker Theatre and the evolution into IMAX and virtual reality presentations, the film traces the city’s transformation as a cultural epicenter of stage and screen. Featuring interviews with architects, former vaudeville stars, and stage performers, alongside 3D computer animation, the documentary reveals the artistry behind the curtains—from live theater and ballet to cinematic innovation.

Originally broadcast in the late 1990s, One Theatre Way is now available to stream online for the first time—exclusively from Menduo House Arts and ElektricTea. Perfect for fans of theater history, Canadian cultural heritage, and classic entertainment architecture, this film offers a rare glimpse into the flamboyant and foundational world of Winnipeg’s performance past.

Produced, directed, edited, and scored by Perry Mark Stratychuk

Narrated by the late Jim "The Cog" Coghill (radio personality)

Copyright 1996 All Rights Reserved

Running time: 58:00