PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — This year has been chock-full of events celebrating the Hollywood Theatre’s 100th anniversary.
Now, a special screening of the very first film to ever play at the Northeast Portland historical landmark is helping to kick off the week-long celebrations leading up to the anniversary of the exact date of its opening.
On July 17, 1926, the Hollywood’s opening day, the silent comedy film “More Pay, Less Work” debuted.
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According to the Hollywood Theatre’s website, 35mm prints of the movie are “incredibly rare.” However, they secured a copy courtesy of the UCLA Film and Television Archive for public viewing.
On Friday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m., the Hollywood Theatre will relive the Roaring 20s with a screening of “More Pay, Less Work,” complete with the accompaniment of a pipe organ by organist Dean Lemire.
“The Hollywood is just so special because it’s this architectural beauty. It’s marvelous to be in here it has a certain kind of magnetism that you don’t get going other places,” said Destynee Norwood, a spokesperson for the Hollywood Theatre. “It’s a very special kind of comforting experience to be at the Hollywood Theatre.”
The screening is a fundraiser for the Columbia River Theater Organ Society to help preserve and maintain the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ at the Hollywood Theatre.
The centennial celebrations continue throughout the week with the following Hollywood Theatre events:
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Saturday, July 11 – Screenings of “More Pay, Less Work,” “Scopitone-A-Go-Go Again,” “Back to The Future” and “Evil Dead II”
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Sunday, July 12 – Screenings of “2001: A Space Odyssey” in 70 mm and “Oregon Lensed: Films From Our State”
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Monday, July 13 – “Big Trouble in Little China”
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Tuesday, July 14 – Screening of the only 35 mm print of “Black Belt Jones” in existence
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Thursday, July 16 – “The Odyssey” in 70mm (advanced screening)
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Friday, July 17 – Screenings of “The Odyssey” in 70mm and “Mikey and Nicky” (Hollywood Theatre’s 100th anniversary night)
Earlier this year, the Hollywood Theatre held other events to celebrate the 100th anniversary, including a screening of “The Thing” featuring a Q&A with star Kurt Russell.
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