Cecil Smith described as 'Master Showman' by George Tremblay takes over the Regent Theatre in Chapleau in 1940

Reeve B.W. Zufelt, C.W. Collins, C.A.. Smith, pres Board of Trade

When Cecil Smith, and his wife Ruth, first arrived in Chapleau on CPR passenger train Number 3, the Dominion,  "Len the taxi man" picked them up at the station, loaded their luggage, then the taxi "dashed up and around the steep horseshoe bridge that spanned the railway yards" then through the downtown to the YMCA, their first home in the community.

The taxi man was Len Perfetto and Mr. and Mrs. Smith had come to Chapleau on a cold  day in November 1940, to negotiate the purchase of the Regent Theatre. Len's Taxi stand was located in a small building right beside the theatre.

In his wonderful book about the early days of the movies 'Break at Nine' George Tremblay tells the story of Mr. Smith and the theatre, referring to him as 'Master Showman'. Mr. Tremblay worked as the projectionist at the Chapleau theatre.

Mr. Tremblay describes the train ride from Sudbury, where Mr. Smith had been working as a projectionist. "Hour after hour the train weaved its way through the granite rock cuts, countless freezing lakes and the unbounded forests of the Canadian shield. Finally, just after noon it steamed into Chapleau and lurched to a stop in front of the station complex where a team of railway service people rushed forward to carry out their servicing work."

Rotarians F. Leigh, A. Bucciarelli, J. McClellan,  D.O. Payette, C. Smith

Mr. Tremblay also provides an interesting insight into Chapleau as it was in 1940.

After disembarking from the train and making their way through a crowd of people boarding the train, the Smith's spotted the taxi cab and upon spotting them, Len "dashed over to help them carry the heavy luggage."

It may come as a surprise to some, but in 1940 Chapleau had "limited amenities to offer casual travellers" and they had been advised to book a room at 'the Y'. 

Regent Theatre. Photo by Gamma Centre

"The YMCA was a large and well maintained wooden building located in the heart of the community (on Lorne Street near where the LCBO is now). It had a good restaurant, clean comfortable rooms and even had reading room for its guests. It even had a bowling alley in the basement..."

At this point, Mr. Tremblay writes, their plans were flexible. If they could negotiate  successfully with the theatre owner, they would stay in Chapleau: if not they would return to Sudbury where Mr. Smith had  been working as a projectionist. Originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Mr. Smith had come east to work for his uncle Charles Mavety, a pioneer in the Canadian movie industry, in 1929.

That night, Mr. Smith worked as projectionist at the theatre, and after the show he and his wife compared notes, agreeing that business would keep on improving, and in the next few days "the finer points of the deal" had been worked out and the theatre license was transferred to Cecil Smith on November 13, 1940.

Having now taken over the theatre, the next challenge facing the Smith's was finding a place to live as apartments were in short supply. 

Cecil Smith, A.J. Grout, Reeve Bubs Zufelt at sewage plant start

Mr. Tremblay explains: "That was not an easy matter as apartments were in short supply because of the growing number of new railroaders in the town. Being war time (World War II had started in September 1939) the railroad was becoming busier by the day and the railroad company had to bring in more men to fill the need and many of them had families thus creating a housing shortage."

Arthur Simpson, the owner of the Chapleau Post came to the rescue. He had space above his shop on Young Street but there was only one problem: it was only semi-furnished. "It had a complete bathroom and something resembling a kitchen but nothing else. There were no other partitions and the resulting space looked like a giant meeting hall."

Nonetheless, the Smith's took it and over time built partitions and lived there until they built their own home on Cherry Street some years later.

Turning his attention to the theatre, Mr. Smith knew that a big benefit movie for the hospital would be an effective way to introduce himself to the community. A movie was selected and Mr. Tremblay noted that that the promotion was effective and the theatre filled to capacity with the entire effort creating a great deal of goodwill. It was a fitting start for the venture.

Over the years Mr. Smith made improvements at the theatre but his efforts to convert the Regent to show Cinemascope movies was made almost impossible because of structural limitations. Also the theatre did not meet new standards so Mr. Smith decided to build a new modern theatre, purchased property adjacent to the Regent at Birch and Lorne Streets and built the "Fox' Theatre in 1955. He also expanded by purchasing the theatres in Thessalon and Espanola.

The old Regent is where the Royal Bank of Canada branch is located. 

On the corner Mr. Smith was responsible for the construction of the building that houses the Chapleau News Depot to this day, and behind it was the first Simpsons order office in Chapleau. 

After getting his theatre business operating successfully, Mr. Smith became active in Chapleau affairs, serving as president of the Chapleau Board of Trade when the sewage system was installed about 1950 when B.W. Zufelt was reeve. He also was a member of the Chapleau Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were active in St. John's Anglican Church and also played golf.

In the mid 1970s they decided to retire and sold their business interests. Mrs. Smith died in 1980, and her husband in 1987.

Mr. Tremblay summed up the 'Master Showman': "Not only was he a superb showman, he was also a kind and generous man and he has been missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him."

Let me share a personal anecdote about Mr. Smith. After my grandfather Harry Morris died in 1957, Mr. Smith greatly assisted my grandmother Lil (Mulligan) Morris with business affairs that had always been my grandfather's responsibility. Often, when I visited her, she would say that Mr. Smith had been over, or was coming the next day. Indeed, Cecil Smith was a "kind and generous man" and one of Chapleau's most successful entrepreneurs.

I have just shared a glimpse of the Cecil and Ruth story and their theatre in Chapleau as told by George Tremblay in 'Break at Nine', and have not even touched Mr. Tremblay's story of the movie industry. A great read!!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Calgary Stampeders bring touch of old west to Chapleau after winning Grey Cup in Toronto

Let's take a look at Chapleau as it was on the edge of its boom years of the 1950s as it appeared through the pages of the Chapleau Post.

Ken and Beverly (Yanta) LeClaire recently sent me a copy of the December 2, 1948 edition of the newspaper when Arthur Simpson was the editor, and through the advertisements and stories gives the reader a glimpse of the life and times of the community at the end of the year in which it was threatened by forest fires.

The Calgary Stampeders were in Chapleau at the CPR station on their way home from Toronto, where they had defeated the Ottawa Rough Riders, 12-7, to win the Grey Cup, after having a 12-0 win record in the regular season, the only perfect season in the history of Canadian professional football according to Wikipedia. The Post described it as a "touch of the old West" as cowboys and girls in their ten-gallon hats and fancy shoes and trousers passed through on their special train..."

Although Chapleau was not particularly football conscious, according to the Post, the Stampeder fans rolled off the train and took over and "presented a spectacular entertainment to the crowd..."

1948 Calgary Stampeders

"They bounced off the train in a flurry of ten-gallon hats  and fancy gay coloured hankerchiefs. One fan with an accordion appeared  - another with a guitar  and with a cry of YIPPEE --- they piled onto the platform and gave the locals a treat with a score of western songs".

In response to the crowd's request to see the Grey Cup, coach Les Lear himself brought it out for all to see.

Although the Post does not mention it, they also rode horses along the station platform. I was seven years old and in the crowd -- even got an autographed photo of the team arranged for me by my aunt Marion Morris, who was living in Calgary at the time.

Reeve B.W. Zufelt

In local political news, the Post reported that B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt had been re-elected by acclamation to serve another one year term.

Joining him on the 1949 council would be J. Cahill, A.J. Grout, E.J. Lepine and W. Steed.

Another front page story said it was expected that the first car would go over Highway 129 in January, and it happened. The highway was declared officially open on a cold winter day on January 30.

C.W. Collins Store 1948

As I looked through the paper, it struck me while reading the advertisements that the only store with ownership by a member of the same family in 1948 and 2012, was Charles W. Collins Stores Ltd., now Collins Home Hardware and Collins Home Furniture, and owned by Doug Collins, the grandson of Charles W. Collins. The Collins name has been associated with ownership of a Chapleau business since 1928.

In the store's advertisement, men's and ladies' McBrine "baggage with character" was being sold at between $25 and $50. while Biltmore hat certificates were available at $5 and $10.

Customers were encouraged to visit the mezzanine for ready-to wear clothes. "Drop up to the mezzanine and see our new party dresses. Smart and stylish in velvets, bengalines and crepes. Choose your favourite frock  for your Christmas parties ahead.." Also, lovely soft fur felt bonnets were available for remarkable prices ranging from $3 to $6.

Walt Disney was popular and the store had children's dressing gowns with Mickey Mouse, or Donald Duck or Pluto on these colourful cotton chenile dressing gowns selling for $4.25 or $5.95 depending on size.

At the Regent Theatre, owned by Cecil Smith, located where the Royal Bank is now, playing was 'Sitting Pretty' starring Robert Young, Maureen O'Hara and Clifton Webb, all very popular movies stars of the day for younger readers who may not recognize the names. The Royal Bank in 1948 was located beside the Dominion grocery store near Birch and Young streets across from the Algoma, later Hublit Hotel.

My cousin Michael McMullen has confirmed that Murrays and Mulligan, a general store was located where the Dominion store later was opened circa 1886. Patrick Mulligan was our great great uncle.

As the natural ice "old old rink" on Lorne Street, and outdoor skating rinks as well as the pond on the back river would soon be in use, Morita Brothers was advertiswing that everyone should have their skates sharpened and be ready for that first workout. They were located on Lansdowne Street across from Gamma Photo Centre which was advertising Kodak products for sale. Who would have ever thought in 1948 that Kodak would ever file for bankruptcy protection as it has just done in 2012.

In 1948, Chapleau had two pharmacies -- the Model Drug store where Ross Thornton was the pharmacist and Rexall Drugs with Ed Downey as pharmacist.

At Smith and Chapple Ltd. where D.O. Payette was president and A.J. Grout vice president, their advertisement was featuring a selection of "beautiful" fur coats ranging in price from $200 to $400. They came in mouton, sable dyed muskrat, raccoon and muskrat. In 1949, Mr. Payette would retire from the firm and Mr. Grout took over.

Smith and Chapple had opened a book department just inside the entrance to its men's wear shop and Mrs. Mitchell would be in the department from 1 to 5 each afternoon to assist customers in making selections. 

Popular Presto pressure cookers were available at $16.95 and $19.95 in the hardware department while steering sleighs were on sale at $2.69 and $3.29.

To prevent frozen gas lines Pellow's Garage and Service was selling Arctic Sure Flow with guaranteed protection for 1000 miles per 75c bottle. At Pellow Supply Co. Alberta lump coal was available at $17.50 a ton.

Harold S. Cahill Men's Shoppe located in the Queens, later Sportsman Hotel, had a wide variety of men's fashions available while Vet's Taxi operated by Pete Therrien announced it now had three cars available for better service. Its motto: "We doze -- but never close." Len Perfetto had Chapleau's other taxi service at the time.

Back on the front page was a social news item announcing that a bridal shower had been held at the home of Mrs. Percy Scott in honour of Frances Jardine, who was to marry Henry Corston. After lovely gifts were opened a "dainty lunch was served by Mrs. Scott assisted by her neighbours."

At Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, a service was held with Bishop G. Landry present where he announced that Father Romeo Gascon was named domestic prelate and would now be Msgr. Gascon. In 1948, he had served as the parish priest for 40 years.

Finally, in my look at moments in life and times of Chapleau in late 1948, everyone was invited to dances at the Legion hall on Saturday nights to the music of Wilf Simpson's Orchestra. Only 50 cents admission!

The community was getting ready for its boom years.

Thanks to Ken and Beverly for the Chapleau Post. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Karen Smith recalls bringing the band to her house the Sixties for a 'jumping' Christmas party, with furniture pushed aside, and then the phone rang .. plus Ian Macdonald on toyland; Mike McMullen, Ken Schroeder at church

House parties over the Christmas season are always popular but one held in Chapleau during the Sixties still brings back memories as a live band had the place jumping in no time after it arrived at the home of Karen Smith.

Andre Renaud had mentioned the party to me some time ago when I was researching 'Phoenix Rising' a band in which he played drums for a time. The band also went under other names. So, as i was looking for some different Chapleau moments at Christmas, I was able to contact Karen for some information about bringing the band to her home to play for a party.

Karen wrote: "The heroes of this tale are my Mum and Dad. My brother Brian and I were home for Christmas. A bunch of us had gone to the show and were returning to our place when someone mentioned the band was practising in the basement of the town hall. I think it was Ken Braumberger that talked them into playing at our place."

Karen and Brian's parents were Cecil and Ruth Smith and they owned the Fox Theatre in Chapleau. To the real oldtimers, at first they had the Regent Theatre.

"In no time we had the band and their instruments loaded in trucks and cars and and set up in my parents family room," Karen continued. "Carpets in the living room and dining room were rolled up, and furniture pushed aside.

Peter Simpson and Sean Henry

"We did have a piano at our place and Peter Simpson tickled the ivory . That piano never sounded so good. The band had the place was a jumping in no time. Guitars, drums, horn, piano and even Frankie (Bignucolo) singing his heart out. "

Then the phone rang....

"Expecting a noise complaint I answered," Karen said. "It was our neighbour Mrs. Pineault concerned that someone was snooping around our garage. She could see the lights going on and off and was sure someone was sitting in the car. Out we went to investigate.

"There sat my Mum and Dad. They had arrived home to find their house filled with teenagers dancing to the music of a live band and could not hear themselves think. Dad had made a dash into the kitchen poured them both a stiff drink and there they sat, in the car in the garage waiting for the party to end."

"Learning that it was Mum and Dad sitting in the car, Mr. Pineault came over and invited Mum and Dad over to the warmth and peace and quet of their place.

"I have no idea how long the party lasted but by the next morning all the furniture was in place nothing broken and everyone had a great time.

"God Bless Mum and Dad. They had their home invaded by teenagers more than once," Karen added.

(As an aside, on a personal note, I thank Karen for her kind words about my grandfather Gerge Hunt and my family at St. John's Church.)

Andre Renaud picked up the story by recalling that it was Peter Simpson who made the arrangements with Karen " I was fairly new in the band at that time. I remember Peter saying to me," Andre we have a Christmas party to play at..It's at Karen Smith's place..

Peter told him they needed about 20 songs asking if he thought he could do different beats because he knew that in a small area the mistakes stand out and it's hard to keep the drum sound low. "You mostly use brushes or the stick on the rim and use he high hat rather than the big cymbals...."

Andre remembers that the place was packed, and it went over real well."We had a great time and there was no trouble at all..Karen was a great hostess and she paid us real well for those days..I remember $5.00 each..

"My drums were new and they were like a blue sparkle..Peter would alway say when the guys helped me move them around..Watch the bluey guys... watch the bluey.LOL. Peter had a nickname..A lot of people called him Simmy I always called him Pete."


While we were chatting Andre recalled another popular feature at Christmas in Chapleau. "I used to like going downstairs at Smith and Chapple's and look at the toy display..Also the train display they had there every Christmas.Nice place to duck into on the way to school when it was real cold..Warm up for a few minutes and keep going the rest of the way..LOL"

I remembered that Ian Macdonald, now retired as professor and head of the department of architecture at the University of Manitoba, at one time had a connection to the Smith and Chapple train display, so sent him an email for details. As always Ian replied promptly with details.

"My Dad looked after the Smith and Chapple hardware department including "toyland". It was set up in the lower level at the east end of the building under the Grocery department. The toyland display always included two electric train layouts. One was an American Flyer and the other was a Lionel.

"I had the nonsalaried assignment to oversee the operation of both of them which I gladly did. It was the only job I ever had at Smith and Chapple aside from occasionally delivering flyers.

"Several years later I began firing for the CPR and had the opportunity to actually operate full size locomotives hostling at Cartier. Most of my subsequent Christmas holidays were spent in a CPR locomotive cab substituting for running crews who were booking off. It paid a lot better than the Smith and Chapple assignment but I'm not sure it was ever quite as much fun."

Ken and Mike about then!!!

Michael McMullen, my cousin, and Ken Schroeder, my good friend, shared their exchange of emails about their role at the midnight service at St. John's Anglican Church where Michael had to fight an itch.

Michael asked Ken: "Do you remember the Christmas Eve service (midnight I believe) in either 1952 or 1953 that you and I were charged with standing in the middle aisle and determining when people could go up for communion? As I recall the church was packed. One reason that I remember it so vividly is that I had to scratch the back of my leg and was too embarassed to do anything about it while on duty (and display). The relief to do that downstairs afterwards has been etched in my mind ever since!"

Ken replied: "Funny how some things just stick .." Ken advised us that he has now been promoted to stand guard at the foot of the two steps at their church here in Hamilton. "Sigi (his wife) lets them out, one side at a time, and I wait to catch  anybody that falters on the steps .....good job ....."

I think the service was in 1952 when Rev. E. Roy Haddon was at St. John's. I recall the packed church. As an aside, at that time Michael's father Keith, was the People's Warden and my mother Muriel, and Ken's mother, Edith "Teddy" Schroeder, were in the choir.

Ian Macdonald recalled his role: "As an aside, my assignment at St.John's for the Christmas Eve service was operating the chimes. It was a job I inherited from Bob Linklater  who was then studying for the ministry at U of T. You may recall that  the chimes were actually a recording which was played on a set of large speakers in the St.John's belfry connected to a record player and amplifier in the ante room off of the Vestry. There was a real bell in the belfry in addition to the "virtual chimes" which I heard only on very rare occasions. I'm not sure but I think that Miss Herner donated the  sound system. You probably know better than I.

I believe she did along with her sister, Mrs Nettie Grout



Thanks all for the memories. My email is mj.morris@live.ca