Nontheatrical Venues

Places where films are shown outside of conventional theater spaces

The Story of Small-town Rodeo Meets National Fame

How the Annual Pendleton Round-Up became the subject of an American Lifeograph documentary. 

The Oregon Daily Journal, Sept. 22, 1915 p.19.  Historic Oregon Newspapers
The Oregon Daily Journal, Sept. 22, 1915 p.19.

The Portland Playhouse

The Portland Playhouse is a nonprofit theatre company created by Nikki and Brian (last names unknown) in 2008/2009. They both shared a deep passion for theatre, which led them to buy an old Church in the King Neighborhood. This theatre stands out against other non-commercial theatres because of its use of its platform. Their mission statements, which can be found throughout their website, is to work to be radically inclusive on and off stage. They prioritize the needs of their community and use various events to help create a safe place free of discrimination and oppressive mannerisms.

"Drive-in" to the Movies!

Before and after of the Pine Motor Theater.
The News Review, May 31, 1950, p17, Historic Oregon Newspapers.
Layout plan for the upcoming Pine Motor Theatre.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Movies (1904)

Morning Astorian news item, 1904
Morning Astorian, 10 Apr. 1904, p. 4. Historic Oregon Newspapers.

The Morning Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, ran this news item in 1904 about the calming effects of the movies on people suffering from mental illness.

Church Trailblazes New Pathé in Film Exhibition

Pathé Pictures was a production and distribution company that played films in theaters across Oregon between 1912 and 1917. Indeed, most of Pathé’s business revolved around circulating their reels from theater to theater and city to city via regional film exchanges.

Oaks Amusement Park: Set For a Film and Setting For Exhibition

Oaks Amusement Park, located on the Willamette River and near the present-day Sellwood Bridge, opened its gates for the first time on June 1st of 1905. The amusement park was a huge family place of amusement for their rides, live music, roller arena, picnicking and many other activities.