![]() ![]() The Bagdad has also been the scene of some notable movie premiere galas, including Star Trek III, 1776 and A Star is Born. Sammy Davis, Jr., performing with the Will Mastin Trio, was one of the many acts to grace its expansive stage. In fact, vaudeville remained a key part of the theater programming through the 1940s. So during the Bagdad’s first years, silent movies and vaudeville reigned supreme. And, of course, vaudeville acts were very popular. A surge of excitement was generated worldwide in the months following the Bagdad’s opening by the premiere of the first “talkies.” Prior to 1927, theatergoers had enjoyed only silent films, accompanied by an organist or, in the more posh movie palaces like the Bagdad, a live orchestras. Demonstrating the local craving for celluloid heroes, a cider mill and church were sacrificed in order for the ornate Bagdad to be built on the site. Even the conductor selected to lead the Bagdad’s house orchestra was a musician of great prominence, having studied under Tchaikovsky.Īt the time of the Bagdad’s opening, Americans’ fixation with movies and Hollywood was already well established. Beyond its immense size, guests marveled at the theater’s gurgling fountain and grand colonnade in its foyer, along with its faux-Middle-Eastern decor, right down to the Arabian-styled uniforms worn by the usherettes. Capitalized in part by the deep pockets of its parent company, Universal Pictures, the Bagdad was called “a triumph of artistry and craftsmanship.” In 1927, it stood as the city’s largest theater outside the downtown area. Since acquiring the Bagdad in 1991, the McMenamins aim has been to continue that long tradition as a community gathering spot.įew expenses were spared to create the eastside Portland movie palace. It was truly a glamorous night of nights on Hawthorne Boulevard.įor several generations, “Meet me at the Bagdad!” was the slogan for area residents looking for a convenient escape or to catch a glimpse of stardom. And an orchestra performance, male quartet, Maryln Mills and her famous horse Beverly, a jazz band, a stuffed prop camel and a screening of Laura LaPlante’s Her Big Night (1926) dazzled all who attended. Portland Mayor George Baker gave a rousing speech heralding the building’s importance to the community. A street dance jumped to a live band as searchlights sliced through the night sky. Outside the new “Oasis for Entertainment,” hundreds crowded onto Hawthorne Boulevard, which was roped off for the big event. ![]() If you purchased a ticket accidentally, for the wrong show or theater, or need a refund for any other reason, please call us at (503) 236-9234 for assistance.Ĭast your imagination back to the Bagdad’s original opening day, in 1927…. ![]() Just inquire before showtime to use any of these devices. In addition, we offer two types of headphones: hearing impaired headphones that amplify the dialogue, or visual impaired headphones that describe the scenery and action. Our movie showings are closed captioned, and we offer individual Captiview closed caption devices that sit in your seat’s cupholder. Our theater offers a quality entertainment experience for deaf, hard of hearing and vision impaired guests. Kick back in the theater and enjoy a slice of pizza and a handcrafted ale during the show, or come early and enjoy dinner in the casual pub that fronts the theater – but beware, outdoor tables in the summertime may be hard to come by! It's some of the best people-watching seats in the whole city.īagdad allows pets at our sidewalk seating only. Additional menu items will be available to deliver to those in the balcony seats. The menu includes an expanded tap selection and grab-and-go theater classics like fresh pizza slices, popcorn and candy. For nearly four generations now, the Bagdad's Mediterranean/neon persona and daily films have made it an icon of Portland's vibrant Hawthorne District. The interior is an attraction in and of itself, with barreled arches, ornate wrought-iron fixtures, brilliant mosaics and painted Mediterranean designs and characters.īagdad Theater has 20,000-watt Surround Sound, K Prime digital projector, and luxurious rocker seating. This marvelous relic of Hollywood's Golden Age is a movie palace full of wonder and surprises. ![]()
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