|

Before the Dark – The Grandeur and Loss of Portland’s Oriental Theatre – Restored Edition

In 1970, a group of filmmakers captured the final days of the Oriental Theatre, a movie palace in Portland, Oregon.

With dramatizations of the glory days of cinema, this documentary captures the wonder that this grand building inspired in patrons, as well as portraying its tragic demolition.

The Oriental Theatre’s Wurlitzer pipe organ was preserved by Dennis Hedberg, and became the basis of the instrument at the first Organ Grinder restaurant in Portland.

Original Credits:

Produced by Cinema West
Cinematographer-Editor Gary W. Adams
Sound-Lighting Technician Gary D. Randle

Directors
Gary D. Randle
George F. Hood
Gary W. Adams

Special Thanks to
Harry Hansen
G. W. Weatherly
Horace Skif
Glenn Shelley (as “Glen Shelly” in original credits)
Earl Mossman
Dennis Hedberg
Horseless Carriage Car Club

Production Assistants
Norman Niemi
Terry Adams
Ken Starr
Rich Sheeland
Roger Cooper

Graphic Artist Lonnie Smith

Music Played by Glenn Shelley (as “Glen Shelly” in original credits)

Printed by Teknifilm, Inc.

Restoration Credits:

Released in cooperation with George F. Hood
Film Print Digitization by Wayne Bertram
Print from the Collection of Mark Reed
Grading, Correction and Audio Enhancement by Bob Richardson
Restoration Intro/Credits Music “Nancy” (Van Heusen/Silvers)
Performed by Jonas Nordwall at the Oriental Theatre, 1969

Original Copyright © 1970
Cinema West

Restoration Copyright © 2024
Diaphone Productions

Sign up for our email newsletter and receive updates about the project.

You can help support the project by purchasing from the Crowdfunding Shop.

Similar Posts