History

23 Triller has had its share of fame. The most notable of which was its ownership by "Big Band" leader, Moxie Whitney. He kept the music alive for nearly 25 years at the Royal York Hotel Imperial Room.

March 1958 - July 1963 ... The Moxie Whitney Years at 23 Triller.

Moxie (George Eugene) Whitney. Bandleader, b Brockville, Ont, 2 Jun 1919, d there 21 Jul 1989.

Taking 'Moxie' from his mother's maiden name, Moxam, he began his career in Toronto in his teens as leader and guitarist of the Pacific Swingsters, a Hawaiian music group.

He also played guitar for Stanley St John and other Toronto dance band leaders and was a trumpeter in the RCAF during World War II.

In 1946 he formed his own dance band for the Granite Club, Toronto. TheBand-BanffSprings-1947

The band subsequently performed at Lake Louise, Alta (summer 1946), the Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alta (summers 1947-60, 1962), and the Royal York Hotel, Toronto (1948-60, 1962-71).

The 500 seat Imperial Room is a major events venue at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada.

The hall is located on the Lobby level of the hotel and has hosted major events, such as addresses to the Empire Club of Canada, but was more important historically as one of the most famous nightclubs in the country.

It became famous due to Canadian impressario and orchestra leader, Moxie Whitney.

The Moxie Whitney Orchestra played in the Imperial Room continuously from 1948 to 1972, with the exception of 12 months during a Royal York Hotel strike, 1960/61, when he and his orchestra played the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu.

The orchestra was also heard regularly for many years on the CBC and for shorter periods on US networks.

1992 - Filming of Shattered Vows (Fatal Matrimony)

Given the large rooms and spacious center hall design, this house lends itself to filming with crews of 50 people or more.

In 1992, 23 Triller was featured as the Chicago home of Sergent John Reed in the made for TV "thriller" movie Shattered Vows (filming name). The production later aired as Deadly Matrimony, also released as Deadly Vows, Fatal Vows, Fatal Matrimony and Shattered Promises. Starring Brian Dennehy, Treat Williams and Susan Ruttan who all appeared in various scenes at Triller.

If you happen to watch the movie, look for the clock in the hall while John Reed sits in his study. Although now 18 years ago, the clock is still in the hall as it was in the movie.