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Week 1 – The Hollywood Theatre

As promised, the first in a line of reviews and profiles covering an endangered urban animal; the independent movie house. Portland residents can take some pride in the fact that Portland has a large number of non-chain theatres. Like strip clubs and bars, Portland has more independent theatres per captia then any other city in this great union of ours! Still, with so many theatres within the greater Portland area, I am still surprised when I hear locals claim they didn’t know where the various independent theatres stand. Your friendly neighborhood Geek is here to change all that. Starting with my personal favorite, I turn the Geek signal to the “gem of Portland” (as quoted by George Takei)…

The Hollywood Theatre.

Located on 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, the Hollywood Theatre opened on July 17, 1926. The Hollywood Theatre is the second oldest movie house in Portland. (With, I believe, that distinction going to the Clinton Street Theatre). The Hollywood Theatre was built by Claude Jensen and John VonHerbergn in 1926. Her architects were John Bennes and Herman Herzog. These men were also famous for designing two other movie theaters in Oregon; the Liberty Theater in Astoria (1925) and the Baghdad Theatre in Portland (1927). The Hollywood started, as so many theatres of the time, as a silent and Vaudeville theatre. At her prime, the Hollywood Theatre boasted finely carved and painted frescos that beckoned filmgoers to enter her grand arch. Inside, patrons were greeted with stunningly and mind-numbingly intricate line painting throughout the theatre. Yet another distinction found within the Hollywood is her walls and ceilings… Bennes and Herzog, both fans of neo-classic architecture tried to avoid square angles at every opportunity. Even the modern movie patron will be impressed by the never-ending curves, slopes, and arches that make up the Hollywood Theatre. Originally a single screen theatre that could seat 1500 patrons, with a massive upstairs balcony, the Hollywood now contains three separate screens.

A slow decline.

With the rise of multiplexes and blockbusters, the Hollywood Theatre started her slow decline. The Hollywood Theatre spent most of the latter half of the 20th century as a second run house for Act III Theaters. Rarely maintained, the theatre was almost lost in a fire in 1997. Consuming the building directly connected to the theatre, The Hollywood suffered some surface and smoke damage. Seeing an opportunity to remove the financial burden, Act III announced their decision to level the theatre and sell the property. Thankfully, the Hollywood was purchased by the non-profit group: The Oregon Film and Video Foundation. Since then, they have worked hard at restoring the Hollywood Theatre to her former glory. Although the process is slow and laborious, each year brings a new or restored element to the Hollywood Theatre. Now a cornerstone of the Hollywood neighborhood, the Hollywood Theatre plays hosts to hundreds of independent and foreign films. The Hollywood also attracts film festival organizers as her grand image ads a touch of class and elegance to any event. The Hollywood Theatre can be rented for live performances, gatherings, and makes the perfect location for your world premiere.

Rising again!

Tickets cost a paltry $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and kids 4 -12 (sorry, no student discount, although Monday all tickets are just 4 bucks). The popcorn is fresh, the concessions are priced fairly, and you’ll feel good knowing your money is going to a good cause, not some faceless corporation. (How many times can a movie date cost you less than 20 clams? At the Hollywood, every time baby). As Oregon’s only non-profit theatre, the Hollywood lives and thrives on its volunteer workers. The Oregon Film and Video Foundation/Hollywood Theatre Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Volunteers are needed to fill box office, concession, and usher shifts during regular shows as well as during special events. They can use your expertise with various repair, cleaning, and maintenance projects throughout the Hollywood Theatre. Volunteers are compensated with free films (with popcorn!) at the Theatre and surprise perks. If you are interested in helping keep this great, historic theater alive, please contact The Hollywood Theatre at (503) 493-1128 with your availability and how you would like to help.

With people griping about modern theaters, you owe it yourself to remind yourself what a night at the movies is supposed to feel like!