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�NewlyRenovatedHotel �FreeDaybreakCafé breakfast �Freehigh-speedInternet access �Microwaveinallrooms �SpaciousJacuzzisuites �CityCentreMall, MysteryMountain WinterPark, restaurantsand morenearby 21ThompsonDriveNorth T:204.778.6000 1.800.DAYSINN(329.7466) www.daysinn.ca TravelMore. SpendLess. BOARDMAN / NORTHLAND FUNERAL SERVICE ServingNorthernManitoba JAMES C. BOARDMAN FuneralDirector 28NelsonRoad Chapel778-7982 Thompson,ManitobaR8N0B4 Res.677-4636 www.boardman.mb.ca TollFree1-800-461-6876 Mystery Mt. Winter Park www.mysterymountain.ca 12 miles north of Thompson. 18 runs. 4 lifts. Chalet. Lounge. Rentals. Lessons. Open weekends December til April. DESIGN NORTH • THOMPSON TimJohnston MANAGER P.O.Box1208,3StationRoad,Thompson,ManitobaR8N1P1 TEL2046771492 TEL18888477878 FAX2047785672 EMAILtdj@northcentraldevelopment.ca WEBnorthcentraldevelopment.ca NorthCentralDevelopment GrowingCommunitiesoneideaatatime Affordable & Clean Rooms Daily&MonthlyRatesAvailable Men,Women&ChildrenWelcome Cafeteria-LaundryFacility 204-778-6341 39NickelRoad(Uptown)Thompson,MBR8N0Y5 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 6, 2014 5 T H E P A S A lthough the cinema was never perma- nently closed, owner Paul Rivalin only showed the occasional film while he focused on other business ventures in recent months. But The Lido is back in full swing following a grand reopening on Nov. 20, with a screening of hit film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I. For Rivalin, the movie business is in his blood since he represents the fourth generation to run the reels. "It's been open for almost 85 years now. My great-grandfather started it in 1929," Rivalin says, adding a soft opening late that year was followed by a grand opening in early 1930. "He was a businessman and he had other businesses. He owned a company called Rivalin Transfer that was a western Canadian transfer and courier company. He was looking for some- thing else that was different. This was kind of the opposite, so it was like diversification." In 1903, August Rivalin, better known as Irish, left France for Canada. When he opened his movie theatre 26 years later, he paid tribute to his roots by choosing the name of a well-known Parisian entertainment destination. "It was named after the Lido de Paris, which was a very famous burlesque theatre," Rivalin explains. "The Lido in Paris was there when my great-grandfather was growing up." The European influence is also evident in the architectural style of the brick building. "It was designed to resemble a Spanish Medi- terranean courtyard," says Rivalin. "The ceiling looks like clouds and stars in the sky. It's kind of like you're sitting outside in a Spanish Mediter- ranean area." The design has also earned The Lido historical significance as the longest-running atmospheric movie house worldwide. "The atmospheric design of the auditorium used to be very popular. Most movie theatres converted to be atmospheric movie theatres in the '20s to '40s. It gives the fantasy of being somewhere else outside. It's very much creating a different atmosphere," he says. "When it was built, it was right around when talkies were new. It was the first one specific- ally designed for talkies west of Ontario. There may have been the odd theatre that played talk- ies, but they hadn't been built specifically to play talkies." The unique ambience draws interest from lo- cal movie fans and travellers. "We get lots of tourists, especially in the sum- mer," Rivalin says. "It's also part of the (Sam Wal- ler) Museum's walking tour, which talks about the historical properties in The Pas." But the rich heritage is not limited to the build- ing's structure, since the family history plays a leading role in the theatre's success. The theatre has changed hands through succes- sive generations from Rivalin's great-grandfather August (Irish) to grandfather Paul to father August (Gus) and now to current owner Paul August. "The business has actually never been passed on. My grandfather bought it from his dad and my father bought it from his dad and I had to buy it from my dad," Rivalin says. "In our family, we very much believe that you have to pay for it, otherwise you won't know what you have and then you'll lose it. " Over its lifetime, The Lido's most popular film of all time was the 1939 classic Gone With the Wind, Rivalin says. "Back in those days, there was no TV or video, so I think Gone With the Wind, amongst other titles, played once every six months for a few years," he says. "Back then, it didn't get old. It was new again when it was played six months later." Today, the Lido offers mainly first-run films. Now that the 350-seat cinema is open again, Riva- lin expects to offer two showings per day. "There's a lot of excitement around here because it's the only movie theatre in town," he says. "It's a fun job. What's not to like about it? You're playing movies with all your friends and selling popcorn to everybody you know." To find out what film is showing on the big screen, visit www.lidotheatre. ca or stay in- formed via Face- book, Twitter and Instagram. ❙ at the box office It's showtime at historic movie theatre They're ba-ack! After a 10-month hiatus, The Lido Theatre has reopened its doors to the great excitement of movie buffs in The Pas. By Jennifer McFee For the Free Press It was desIgned to resemBle a spanIsh medIterranean courtyard," says rIvalIn. "the ceIlIng looks lIke clouds and stars In the sky. It's kInd of lIke you're sIttIng outsIde In a spanIsh medIterranean area. " " The Lido has been owned by members of the Rivalin family since its first screening in 1929. Photos courtesy of The Lido Theatre A historic photo shows the exterior of the theatre. Photo courtesy of The Lido Theatre

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