By Constance Rigney, May 12, 2021
There’s a certain kind of magic to be found in ducking out of the rain into the dark coziness of a movie theater – just settling in and turning your face to the dreams playing out on the screen in front of you while sitting together but apart with others and collectively escaping your cares and worries for an hour or two. It’s something that has been lost for a time (like so many other things) during the pandemic but it is a communal experience that is returning to us slowly.
Portland has so many special spaces for the movie lover to enjoy. The city offers theaters both vast yet intimate and cozy yet ornate in which you can truly experience cinema as it was meant to be enjoyed instead of in the dreary, unimaginative multiplexes so plentiful in most cities or with details barely visible on your tiny phone screen.
Starting with Northeast, there is the lavish, long-standing non-profit movie palace known as the Hollywood Theatre. Opened originally in 1926, this Portland landmark offers some of the best of the past in its architecture and some of the most innovative programming in the city (from Queer Horror to Samurai Sundays and the best of classic cinema) — and 70mm projection to boot.
Northeast also boasts the lovely Laurelhurst Theater with its distinctive, colorful sign. Opened in original form in 1923, it is one of the first art deco style theaters of the period and has featured a pretty terrific array of food and microbrews to enjoy while watching a mix of second-run cinema and repertory gems.
Over in the Alphabet Historic District, there is Cinema 21, built originally in 1926. Cinema 21 has more than earned its reputation as one of Portland’s leading art cinemas. With both programming and employees that are known as quirky and wonderful and a history of events featuring filmmakers including Gus Van Sant, Steven Soderbergh and Wim Wenders, Cinema 21 has become a revered hub in the local cinema scene for a reason.
Then there is the Southeast, with the smart second-run cinema, the Academy Theater. Originally opened in 1948, sadly shuttered in the 70s but then renovated and reopened in 2006, the Academy features a glorious Technicolor-inspired lobby, and the remarkable offering of onsite babysitting for children aged two to eight on the weekends.
One of the many wonderful properties revived and repurposed by McMenamins, the Hawthorne District’s Bagdad Theater & Pub is on the register of historic places for a reason. Originally opened in 1927 and financed by Universal Pictures, the theater features elaborate and opulent décor meant to evoke the region around the Mediterranean, décor that is in itself an amazing attraction. Watching a film from the Bagdad’s balcony is a special experience for any film buff.
Despite their diverse charms and their historical features, most of these temples to cinema have been renovated or updated for the modern patron in terms of technology and comfort. All of them are cleverly curated, presenting both an enticing selection of films and tempting menus of snacks and drinks to enjoy during their screenings. And these are but a smattering of the theaters at the disposal of the film fans of Portland. Slip away and try one on a rainy day.
Constance Rigney
Broker | OR & WA
She/Her
What I love about the field of real estate is that essentially, it’s about dreams and possibilities. It’s about finding a space that can support the life you are envisioning and crafting.
Whether purchasing your first home, dialing in your next investment property, or selling your home, my goal as your agent is to be your ally and advocate, to work diligently and creatively to help you through the process. What distinguishes me from other REALTORS®? My style in both real estate, and the rest of life, is down to earth and humorous; my spirit warm and enthusiastic. Being flexible, thorough, ethical, and a topnotch communicator are the cornerstones of my business. I am a dedicated worker and won’t stop until I get the job done! I grew up on the East Coast, but my sense of adventure brought me to Oregon, where I found a richness of community, and a great love for the wondrous natural environment of the Northwest. I spent ten years in this city as a practitioner of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, all the while learning about Portland’s neighborhoods, and hidden gems, through the stories of the fascinating people that call this lovely city home. Joyfully part of a dream team, I’m currently partnered with Matt Guy, wonderful human and long time real estate whiz. We work expeditiously to successfully help our clients turn their vision into reality. In my free time you might find me living the VW Van life with my dreamy husband, Scott, and firecracker daughter Roslyn; soaking up the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, supporting local non-profits, or celebrating Portland’s local music scene.- T: 503-860-4293
- constance@livingroomre.com
