Bagdad Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bagdad Theatre
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View from across Hawthorne Boulevard
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 Location in Portland, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3708–26 SE Hawthorne Boulevard Portland, Oregon |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Thomas & Mercier |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival/Spanish Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000099 |
| Added to NRHP | March 8, 1989 |
The Bagdad Theatre is a famous movie theater located in the Hawthorne District of Portland, Oregon, United States. It first opened its doors in 1927. This historic building was the special place for the first showings of two well-known movies: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975 and My Own Private Idaho in 1991.
In 1989, the Bagdad Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. Today, the theater is owned by McMenamins, a company known for its brewpubs and historic renovations.
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What Does the Bagdad Theatre Look Like?
The Bagdad Theatre is a large, rectangular building. It covers almost an entire acre of land. The theater is built mostly from strong reinforced concrete and covered with a smooth finish called stucco.
The building's height changes in different parts. It's about three-and-a-half stories tall on the north side. In the middle, it's three stories, and on the south side, it reaches five stories. Parts of the building have basements underneath. The roof is made of red tiles and has different shapes, like shed, hip, and flat sections.
Exterior Features: What You See from Outside
On the main floor, facing north and west, you'll find shops. These are separated by the theater's glass entrance. The outside of the building has many cool details. These include windows with many small panes, and round windows above doors called fanlight transoms.
You can also see red tile roofs above some windows. There's fancy decorative molding and mock rafters, which look like wooden beams. Small, decorative wrought-iron balconies called balconets add to its charm. Most of the outside of the theater still looks just like it did in 1927.
Interior Design: Stepping Inside
When you enter, a long, 700-foot lobby leads you toward the movie screens. The hallways, ramps, and the main auditorium have concrete walls. These walls are decorated to make you feel like you're in a building near the Mediterranean Sea.
The decorations include special paintings that trick your eye, called trompe-l'œil tiles. There are also fancy lighting fixtures and arched doorways. You'll see interesting designs, or motifs, that feature animals and legendary creatures.
History of the Bagdad Theatre
Universal Studios, a big movie company, spent $100,000 to build the Bagdad Theatre. A Portland architecture company called Thomas and Mercier designed it. The Christman and Otis Development Company built the theater.
When it opened, the Bagdad's unique look and huge, bright neon marquee helped it stand out. It competed with other movie theaters and drive-in restaurants from the 1920s. Many movie houses in the city used exciting designs. These included Moorish, Egyptian, and Mayan styles. The Bagdad Theatre officially opened on January 14, 1927. Its first movie was Her Big Night (1926), starring Laura La Plante.
Early Shows and Famous Visitors
The inside of the theater originally had a large stage and a fountain. It was decorated with Middle-Eastern themes. The female ushers (people who help you find your seat) even wore uniforms that looked Arabian.
In its early days, the Bagdad showed silent films and later, talkies (movies with sound). It also had a live orchestra and stage shows, including vaudeville acts. Famous performers like Sammy Davis Jr. and the Will Mastin Trio once performed there.
In 1975, famous actors Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, and Michael Douglas visited the Bagdad. They were there for the first showing of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in Oregon. Later, in 1991, My Own Private Idaho premiered at the Bagdad. This happened after McMenamins had updated the theater.
Modern Era and Renovations
In more recent years, the Bagdad Theatre has hosted regular film series. It has also held book tours organized by Powell's Books. In 2013, McMenamins renovated the theater again. These updates included a bigger screen, a digital projector for clearer movies, new seats, and an improved sound system.
See also
Images for kids
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Bagdad Theatre in December of 2021
