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The History of the
Historic Elsinore Theatre
Written by Elaine K. Sanchez
On May 28, 1926, on a former livery stable site, the magnificent
Elsinore Theatre first opened its doors to the public. Developed
by George Guthrie, an entrepreneur and lover of art, the theatre
was designed to resemble the castle in “Hamlet,” Shakespeare’s
greatest drama.
Believing the Salem community deserved and would support a
splendid theatre, Guthrie contracted with the Portland
architectural firm Lawrence and Holford to create a Tudor Gothic
structure that would become the showplace of the Willamette
Valley. Ellis F. Lawrence, who later became the founding dean of
the School of Architecture at the University of Oregon, was the
project’s principle architect.
 Under the supervision of general contractor Cuyler Van Patten, a
meticulous man who sought nothing less than perfection, excavation
began in 1925. Skilled laborers and gifted regional artisans were
hired to do the basic construction as well as the plasterwork,
ironwork, ornamentation and painting. Originally estimated to cost
$100,000, it was rumored that Mr. Guthrie was headed toward
bankruptcy when the price exceeded $250,000.
When the Elsinore opened its doors, Mr. Guthrie’s dream was
realized, and it quickly became recognized as the finest theater
between Portland and San Francisco. A capacity crowd attended the
opening show, Cecil B. DeMille’s, “The Volga Boatman,” a silent
movie accompanied by “Finlandia,” on a mighty Wurlitzer, 900-pipe,
13-rank organ.
For several years audiences enjoyed two weekly performances of
“Fanchon & Marco,” a vaudeville circuit that started in Los
Angeles and traveled north to Seattle. Many promising new
performers, including Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Otis
Skinner, Clark Gable and the John Phillip Sousa Marine Band also
performed on the Elsinore stage.
In 1929 the Elsinore was leased to Fox Theaters, and was converted
to accommodate the newest technological advance in entertainment –
talking movies. One year later, owner George B. Guthrie leased the
theatre to Warner Brothers Theaters, who ran it as a movie house
until 1951.
Every Thursday during the 1930’s talented young people would line
up at the Elsinore to audition for Zollie’s Mickey Mouse Club
Matinee. The best singers, dancers, and musicians would be
selected to perform the following Saturday. Created and hosted by
teenage impresario Zollie Volchok, the show featured a group of
“regulars”, including Salem’s own pianist Donnie Edwards and the
talented young trumpeter, Doc Severinsen. Audiences were treated
to a 45-minute live stage show, cartoons, movies, and pipe organ
music from the mighty Wurlitzer. A few of Salem’s finest citizens
still carry their membership cards bearing the Mickey Mouse Club
Creed:
“I will be a square shooter in my home, in school, on the
playground, wherever I may be. I will be truthful and honorable
and strive always to make myself a better and more useful citizen.
I will respect my elders and help the aged, the helpless and
children smaller than myself. In short, I will be a good
American.”
In 1954 the Elsinore was sold to Foreman Brothers, and during the
next twenty-five years the forces of time, nature and audience
abuse took its toll. The theatre’s ownership changed two more
times. Tapestries had to be removed from the reach of vandals. The
badly damaged stained glass windows in the upper lobby were
boarded up, and in 1962 the magnificent Wurlitzer Organ was
dismantled and sold for parts.
By the late 1970’s the theatre once billed as “The Showplace of
the Willamette Valley” had lost its appeal even as a second-run,
discount movie house. In 1976 the theatre’s fiftieth anniversary
passed without notice.
In 1980 plans were being made to demolish the Elsinore and replace
it with a parking lot. A group of concerned citizens, appalled at
the thought of losing this local, historical treasure, formed the
grassroots organization called the “Save the Elsinore Committee.”
They worked hard to build support with the public as well as with
the city’s political leaders. Continue>>>
READ MORE ABOUT ELSINORE'S HISTORY>
Return To Grandeur
Return to Grandeur has been a three year project
that began in 2002. The work was completed in "Acts" over a three
year period. The 3.2 million dollar project was completed in
October, 2004. The renovation "Acts" included the following
activities:
ACT I -
completed in 2002
Basement remodeled
New restrooms added
Harcourt Hall, a reception and meeting area added
Offices relocated to street level
Entry Marquee rebuild and 7,000 watts of lights
installed
Architectural woodwork on building facade rebuilt
Stained glass windows removed, repaired and reinstalled
Romeo and Juliet mural restored
Exterior painted
Lobby refurbished
Large stage door installed
Fire sprinklers installed
Act II -
completed in 2003
Stage curtains replaced
Stage lighting updated, front of house lighting added
New sound system installed
New stage rigging
Existing grid system upgraded
New heating and ventilation system installed
Electrical wiring upgraded doubling the capacity
Act III - completed in
2004
Auditorium and lobby restored
Dressing rooms remodeled
Roof replaced
New stage floor installed
New house lighting system installed
Interior architectural lighting installed
Tours
Contact the Theatre at 503-375-3574 to
schedule group tours (15 or more people) or
email us.
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