This little theater doesn't really look like much, does it? (And I know this shot of it looks like something from 1969 but it was just taken.) Luckily, there are still quite a few of these little gems in the Portland area with this one here being our favorite.
Let me be your virtual tour guide:
The interior is pretty well preserved to its original state. The snack bar is small and reasonably priced (really...you won't pay $7.00 for a bottled water here). The curtains that separate the lobby from the main theatre are very velvet, very old, and very heavy. The sound system and projection is state-of-the-art but they still show previews, home movies, and trailers from the 1950s through the 1970s while you wait for the main feature. Off in the left corner, next to the screen, is a glowing clock that you can see for yourself that yes, the movie will be starting in ten minutes. You have to go up a spiral staircase to get the restrooms and in doing so, you walk right past the projectionist. It's adds just a bit more to your "time warp" experience seeing the bright light inside that small room and hearing the "click, click, click" of the camera's spinning reels. But to really enjoy all this nostalgia you need to get there early... that way you can snag yourself a "loge" seat which has extra leg room and the capacity to rock.
I know... seats that rock? It's not big deal in the face of the multiplexes that take up scores of suburban acreage, but this little theater IS a big deal. It's been owned by the same family since it was built in 1937 and the locals take pride in the owners' dedication to all things related to film.
Long live these little guys in our community. They are priceless.