The smell of buttery popcorn filled the theatre as the sounds of shuffling seats scattered across the audience. Parents who just came back from a long day at work were seen shushing away the loud jolts of energy that radiated off their children. Teenagers and young adults walked into the room with their groups of friends and the sounds of their chatter and laughter echoed in the air. Elderly partners entered the theatre and reminisced about the older movies they enjoyed in their youth. As the audience was seated and the film started rolling on the reel, muffled whispers, and soon, silence, entered the room. This was a typical day in the Mississauga movie theatres in 1974. A day where, by watching the same film, individuals united with their community and shared a burst of emotions in one enclosed space.

Some of the many Mississauga movie theatres in 1974 were Vogue Theatre (Credit Cinema), Dixie-5 Theatre, the newly opened 20th Century Cinemas (Deluxe Showcase Cinemas) at Square One, and more. Within these theatres, Mississauga residents were eager to see numerous brand-new films showcased on the big screen.

The Great Gatsby was one of the many 1974 films that became the talk of the town. The romantic film was released at the new theatre in Square One, 20th Century Cinemas, and was directed by Jack Clayton. In the film, Jay Gatsby (Robert Redford) carried a strong attachment to his past love, Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow), and with the help of his neighbour, Nick Carroway (Sam Waterston), Gatsby was determined to show Daisy that their love was worth rebuilding. Taking place in the 1920s in Long Island, New York, this film also painted an image of what life was like for wealthy Americans. For example, Jay Gatsby’s grand parties showcased many rich individuals who simply lived carefree. At his parties, jazz music filled the atmosphere and pearls would bounce off women's necks as they pranced around to the playful sound of a tuba. Whispers of gossip would also echo in the air and the strong scent of cigarettes and alcohol was found near fancy dinner tables. Many of the women were styled in classy dresses that sparkled in the moonlight and long, feathered headbands. On the other hand, the men were fitted in expensive suits that were accessorized with a necktie. In a sense, these parties were a way to flaunt their wealth. They were a way to show that these people had the time, money, and energy to live a life where they could party the night away without stacks of paychecks to weigh them down. In the film, Gatsby's parties highlighted the idea that, for years, many wealthy Americans didn't have to face difficult barriers, and instead, they had a lifetime of opportunities already placed in the palm of their hands.

Another well-known 1974 film, Murder on the Orient Express, was seen in various movie theatres during this time period. Director Sidney Lumet’s mystery film told the story of a famous detective, Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney), who set out on his journey to England aboard the Orient Express. However, when a billionaire was found brutally stabbed to death on the train, Poirot was determined to investigate suspects on board to discover who committed the crime. In the film, one thing that caught the attention of viewers was Albert Finney’s ability to perfectly step into the role of detective Hercule Poirot. As he masked himself with this new identity, Finney had his hair neatly slicked back, his French moustache curled up, a thick Belgian accent, and a suspicious look in his eyes. Finney even passionately expressed his theories and studied every passenger's move to decipher the hidden code of this mysterious case. By embodying the character of Hercule Poirot, Finney highlighted the importance of taking a risk. He perfectly morphed himself into this new role and showed us that confidently stepping out of your comfort zone is a necessary step to take because it can allow you to achieve your desired goals.

The 1971 film, Fiddler on the Roof, was played in famous movie theatres in 1974, such as Dixie-5 Theatre. Directed by Norman Jewison, Fiddler on the Roof was known for making an audience find themselves both buried in a sea of tears and overcome by moments of laughter. The film highlighted the story of a poor Jewish milkman who lived in a pre-revolutionary Russian village with his family and how his greatest goal was to set his daughters up with husbands that he believed would be good enough for them. Essentially, the film revolved around the importance of family, cultural traditions, and love. The use of musical numbers in the film even helped add more depth to the characters and allowed viewers to see the meaningful emotions that characters carry. For example, one of the songs in the film, “Do You Love Me?,” is sung by the milkman, Tevye (Chaim Topol), and his wife, Golde (Norma Crane). In this musical number, Tevye constantly begged Golde to answer one simple question: "Do you love me?” Thrown off by his question, Golde told him that it was strange that he’d ask her this question when she had spent 25 years of her life simply caring for him. Using this musical number, the film taught its audience that love doesn’t need to be something that is shown off to the world, and instead, it could be an intimate feeling that is only kept between a couple. Tevye and Golde’s relationship showed individuals that love can be a private emotion that doesn’t need to be expressed through words. Instead, love can be seen through affectionate gestures and kind acts of service that show how much you care for your partner. Tevye and Golde taught us to cherish the simplicity of love and to acknowledge that love is about truly understanding and connecting with your partner.

The 1973 comedy and crime film, The Sting, was a well-known movie that was showcased in 1974 in Mississauga theatres such as Sheridan Dual Cinema. The film took place during the Great Depression and unravelled a tale about a con man, Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford), who teamed up with Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to avenge the death of their friend. In the film, Hooker and Gondorff’s strong bond portrayed the significance of friendship. They taught their audience that friendship is about always staying attached to one’s side and protecting one through a storm of obstacles. It is about harmoniously connecting with your friends and supporting them through the mountains of hardships they may face. Hooker and Gondorff also showed individuals how much they value the importance of unity. No matter how many barrels full of burdens blocked their paths, they continued to fight their battles head-on and work together. Like Yin and Yang, they were an unbreakable duo that equally leaned on one another to thrive.

When watching a film in theatres, an audience can feel so immersed in the fantasy world within the movie that, once the film is over, they are met face-to-face with reality. The sudden shock of end credits reminds us that it is time to resume our daily routines and responsibilities in the real world. However, the one shared experience that we, as an audience, carry as we watch a film is truly something to treasure. It is a moment where, despite how we have chosen to craft our lives and what morals and beliefs piece together our identities, we are connected. We are a group of Mississauga citizens who have chosen to gather at the exact same theatre to enjoy what we love best—a moment of escape. A moment where, by watching an exciting film together, we can step outside of our day-to-day lives and enter a new world filled with countless possibilities. For Mississauga residents in 1974 the movies and connecting with each other at the movie theatres may have helped to provide a sense of optimism for the future of their new city.

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Movie Theatres and Connections in 1974 Mississauga

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