Le Cinematographe de H. J. Hill (Queen et O'Connor Streets/Association Hall, 29 mars-19 avril 1897)

La presse locale annonce, dès le 12 mars, la prochaine présentation d'un cinématographe dont le manager est H. J. Hill :

The management of the Y.M.C.A. have arranged with H. J. Hill of Toronto to come to this city with the cinematographe on the 29th of this month. Concerts will be given in the Association hall for the two weeks following the 29th.

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The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, vendredi 12 mars 1897, p. 5.

Peu après, The Ottawa Journal annonce la prochaine inauguration à l'Association Hall :

The Cinematographe
The great cinematographe, which is capable of throwing upon canvas scenes taken in all parts of the world, representing people and things walking, talking and moving round in every direction railway trains and street cars in motion, and many other marvellous and interesting subjects, will commence a series of entertainments at Association Hall, corner of Queen and O'Connor streets, on Tuesday evening next, for a short season under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A. For the small admission fee it will be possible to make a tour of the world in a couple of hours and see some of the grand scenes which each country visited possesses.

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The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, mercredi 24 mars 1897, p. 5.

Le manager de cinématographe, H. J. Hill, cherche à obtenir des vues locales :

Mr. H. J. Hill, of Toronto, who is here as manager of Lumiere's Cinematographe, intends to have photos taken of local objects in motion, such as street cars, busses, delivery rigs, etc. He will also have photos of prominent citizens taken as they walk upon the street. These he will present in motion upon the canvas.

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The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, mardi 30 mars 1897, p. 7.

Une projection privée est organisée le 29 mars :

There was a private exhibition of the cinematographe given int the Y.M.C.A. hall last night. All who heard it were well pleased. The first public concert will be held this evening.

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The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, mardi 30 mars 1897, p. 7.

La presse offre un compte rendu de la séance d'inauguration dont l'opérateur est Charles Gay : 

FIRST EXHIBITION OF THE CINEMATOGRAPHE IN OTTAWA
Lumiere's Wonderful Instrument Delights a Large Audience at Association Hall Last Evening-Pictures From Real Life Vividly Portrayed.
The first performance of the cinematographe in Ottawa was given in the Y.M.C.A. hall last night. The attendance and the satisfaction expressed by all present speaks much for the success of the entertainments yet to be given in the same place.
Some of the most prominent citizens were noticed in the audience last night, among them Sir James Grant, F. P. Bronson, Mr. E. Seybold, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Odell, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. French, Mr. and Mrs W. J. Gerard, Mrs W. G. Perley, Rev. Df. Saunders and Mr. A. A. Dion.
The cinematographe is a wonderful instrument wonderfully constructed. It is the invention of M. Lumiere, of Lyons, France. The pictures presented by it are obtained from snap shots, and each one is about the size of an ordinary postage stamp. The pictures are upon a strip of gelatine film, 36 yards long, and about 11-2 inches in width. Each strip contains over 2,000 pictures of the same scene as it would appear to a person looking upon it in real life. This strip passes with great velocity before a powerful magic lantern and produces a continuous and remarkably interesting scene of almost life size figures.
Mr. Chas. Gay, who was the first to show a picture with the wonderful invention is in charge of the machine here, and manipulates very cleverly all the lights in connection therewith. Mr. Frederico Hammille, is the lecturer, and announces each picture as it is about to be shown
Were Educative.
The scenes presented last night were all of a very high order, and were an excellent education in themselves. Everything appears to have life. In a view of Washington street, the busiest thoroughfare of Boston, the citizens could be seen crossing the street, the newsboys with their uniforms and badges, the policeman on duty, a street car passing and stopping to allow a lady to dismount, she having done so, it moves rapidly on; in fact, nothing was lacking but the accustomed din to make the scene a perfect reality. In other scenes children could be seen at play, processions could be witnessed in the large European cities, pleasure seekers could be observed, bathing and tobogganing on the Thames; wrestling, running and in various ways creating untold amusement for themselves.
The scenes are gathered from all parts of Europe and America, including such places as Paris, London, Lyons, Buda Pesth, Brighoton Beach, New York, Brooklyn, St. Petersburg and Moscow. There will be introduces here some local scenes taken upon Sparks, Bank, Wellington and other busy street in Ottawa. Even persons who are upon the street at the time the photo is taken will be able to see themselves walking upon the canvas in a few days.
In addition to the entertainment provided by the cinematographe, there is an excellent musical programme rendered by Miss G. Cunningham. Miss Cunningham’s musical ability certainly deserves great praise, and undoubtedly added much to the delightfully pleasing entertainment that was furnished las night.

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The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, 31 mars 1897, p. 1.

Les séances se prolongent dans les premiers jours du mois d'avril :

THE CINEMATOGRAPHE.
The fact that there was a large crowd at Association Hall, notwithstanding the rain of last night, speaks much for the excellence of the Cinématographe entertainment. The water tobogganing scene, the Coney Island bathers and the descente from Brooklyn Bridge proved especially popular last night. The new views of the Czar's recent visit to European cities were received to-day.

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The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, mardi 6 avril 1897, p. 8.

Les projections s'achèvent au bout d'une quinzaine de jours comme l'annonce le journal local :

Only a Few Days More.
The wonderful cinematographe which has been attracting so many to Association Hall during the past two weeks, is nearing the close of its engagement. As an educative and delightful entertainment this unique invention has no superior. But a few years ago the prediction of such a scientific marvel would have been considered a freak of imagination, and even now with this realization before one it is difficult to fully grasp its achievements. That motion, vivid and real, may actually be represented up on a canvas seems well nigh incomprehensible. And yet after one has seen every action of real life reproduced with the strictest fidelity to nature it is impossible to doubt. Matinees will be held every afternoon at 3 o'clock this week, the usual evening performances commencing at 8 o'clock. Easter Monday will be the final exhibition of the cinematographe in Ottawa.

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The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, mardi 13 avril 1897, p. 7.

Les dernières séances ont lieu le lundi de Pâques.

Le Cinematographe (Grand Opera House, <2> novembre 1897)

CLEAR AND PLEASING
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee procession views as well as the other pictures presented, pleased and satisfied the audience assembled in the Grand Opera House last evening.
The views as projected from the cinematograph in the gallery to the sheet upon the stage are clear and distinct, have no breaks or blurs and do not hurt the eyes. Moreover all the scenes are well chosen, those of the procession being especially pleasing.
So natural and realistic were the views that time and again, as the figures of well known, and much spoken of personages flitted across the canvas the audience would show their appreciation by clapping and cheering. The Diamond Jubilee procession views are well worth a visit.The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, mardi 2 novembre 1897, p. 3.