The Toronto Underground Cinema held its grand opening on Friday night at金合欢中心(See our initial post on this new cinemaback in January). Screening a free double-bill from the mid-'80s, the whodunitClueand John Carpenter'sBig Trouble in Little China, seemed appropriate since the indie theatre's decor still has that certain '80s retro chic aesthetic.

The 706-seat movie theatre is tucked away literally underground at the back of a mall hallway that you enter at 186 Spadina Ave., just north of Queen Street.

The tall sign for Golden Classics Cinema is still there, with its big yellow G in the form of a camera aperture, but it's been about 10 years since its last regular screenings. Unless you count Bjork'sVolta誰c: The Volta Tour Live In Paris and Reykjavikthat screened there in January, as part of theImages Festival.

Once inside the mall entrance, you need to make your way westward, along a dingy, narrow corridor, past a few confusing Chinese signs until you reach the entrance -- or see the line-up.

Fresh popcorn awaits you at the concession stand, beneath the winding staircase that takes you down to the sparse theatre itself. There's still old Sprite and Coke signs, but the concession prices aren't as retro.

Underground Cinema staff dressed the part of characters inCluefor the first movie.

Inside the theatre, the seats are decidedly narrow by today's multiplex standards. Expect to rub elbows with your movie brethren. It may get a little cozy.

I surely hope they get their air conditioning properly installed and operational soon, as it got rather stuffy down there and it's only mid-May.

The walls were decorated with large posters for films, such asLost Highway,CrankandCoffee and Cigarettes.

On my way out, I noticed a trio of figurines playing in the ticket booth. Look out,Chinatown! The Toronto Underground Cinema has arrived.

If you missed the grand opening, you can check out the Toronto Underground Cinema for yourself Sunday, May 16th for a specialJim Henson Tributedouble bill featuringThe Muppets Take ManhattanandLabyrinth.

Photos byRoger Cullman Photography.