Just received a call from my mother who lives in Aberdeen and she stated that the marquee has been installed. I can’t wait to make a trip to Aberdeen to take a look for myself! I’m sure it’s spectacular! If anyone has any photo’s they can post it would be great to see.
It’s a movie! Fiction not reality, NY is the subject for many films that include it’s destruction because NY is one of the most famous cities in the world. While what happened on 9-11 was tragic and should be held in a place of respect and rememberence, this film and it’s ad material is in no way offensive. I doubt NY is going to forgo all the film revenue on future projects just because the material may inclue the cities destruction.
The Lynwood now has a new marquee made of S.Steel and is emblazioned with neon. The new signage was in the process of being fabricated when the photo was taked by Lost Memory. Also the front of the theatre as well as the building has been cleaned up and is nicer looking today.
Was in the 7th st. on 10/30 for the “In the Mood” 1940’s big Band show and what a treat! There was a very large audience, almost capacity, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It was nice to see an historic theatre with a house full of people!
Was just in the D&R on 10/30 and work is coming along. There’s a long way to go but this place is going to be AMAZING when finished.. Theatre should be open before the end of 2008.
That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time. Having grown up there and seen the steady decline of the harbor it always made me sad to go visit and look around only to see less and less of my hometown. This area has GREAT potential!
Aberdeen needs to gasp!! Hopfully this will kick the other business owners in the rear and prompt some serious downtown revitalization!!! Other than the Morck Hotel and the theatre’s.
Lost Memory, thanks for the great photo’s, here’s what I have been told is being done to the theatre. The marquee and awning is being reproduced. The marquee that is going back up is going to resemble the “Art Deco” 2nd one that graced the theatre dating from about 1935. The one that came down is from the late 40’s. The box office is going to be restored and the tiled entrance is going to be re-done to also resemble the way the theater looked in the 1930’s. I believe the current Box will be retained although it is from the late 40’s. The roof has been repaired and the paint on the building has been redone. Now that the building is sealed up for the winter interior work is going to begin. I was informed by the project mgr that the plan is to have the place re-opened sometime next year. This theater is going to be used as a live venue and should be first class when finished.
Recieved an e-mail from a gentleman who toured the Aberdeen last week and he states that the place is relatively intact. From the sound of his description the chruch has painted over all the decoration except in the balcony so a full restoration would be needed. Not to mention putting the lobby back into the original configuration. There is a screen but all sound and projection equip. has been removed. Seats would have to be replaced also. Thankfully there is a very extensive photo record of how the place once looked and most of the changed are painted decor. So it shouldn’t be to expensive or hard to replicate. The biggest challange is going to be the lobby, outer foyer, and a marquee.
I worked for Tom Moyer (Luxury Theaters)in the early 1980’s and was visiting the home office in Portland and had an opportunity to visit the Fox. The theater was in great shape very well kept and the auditorium was beautiful. His other theaters especially the ones outside of Oregon were not very nice But this one was amazing. It was like stepping back into the 1940’s / 50’s. Nothing much had been done from the last remodel, the colors and interior styling were just as Fox West Coast had put in. Such a shame!
I did'nt write this, the above comment was writen by TJ Faddis who just happened to be using my computer and the site was signed on in my name. She didn’t see my sign on when she wrote the above comment.
In reviewing my previous postings it has been almost 2 years since my last visit inside the theatre. That explains the difference in interior conditon.
I was very briefly in the D&R on Tuesday 8/28/07 and had a chance to look around with all the junk from the provious owner removed. It has been about a year since the last time I was in their and there is more deterioration. It looks like the place was rescured in the nick of time. The previous owner took all the lighting fixtures and pretty much stripped the place so John Yonich will have to replace everything. But the bones are solid so it should be a real show place when he is finished. Aberdeen is very lucky to have someone who is willing to spend the kind of resources that it is going to take to put this building back togather again. Not to mention the Morck Hotel and the other projects that are planned. My hat is off to you Sir.
As an outsider to The 7th Street Theatre, I recently had chance to see the place. My initial response of seeing the grandeur of this treasure was, “My word, what an exqui- … WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE DOING THERE?” Who in heaven’s name would mount huge JBL speakers in the sky? It certainly destroys the illusion of an atmospheric theater!
As future improvements come down the pike for this exquisite theater, my hope is that the powers-that-be keep in check those neanderthals who only see what task they have at hand with absolutely no regard to the asthetics of this historic gem. Get a second opinion from another set of “experts” before allowing a goon squad to destroy your atmospheric qualities. There will always be SOMEBODY who can appreciate your unique theatre while providing your needed services.
Best of luck with your ceiling repairs and repainting. This will enhance the 7th Street even more. Once completed, the effect will stun everyone who comes thru your front doors.
A note about your seats: The seats themselves have lost their spring and comfort capabilties. They need replaced – also because today’s posterior is larger than those fannies from the 1920’s. If you were to contact the original manufacturer [and several are still in business, like Irwin Seating Company], they would send someone out to see your theatre and propose overhauling your seats – in the same style & using those wonderful iron end plates – into something more plush and comfortable … all the while using your original seat design. You would lose some seating capability with the wider seat cushions, but would that affect your overall box office draw going from 1,000 seats to 850?
My last suggestion would be to replace the dingy fabric on the back walls and on front of the projector booth with a lovely new wall fabric available to theaters today. This fabric is almost carpet-like in its appearance and comes in a LOT of colors. You could find one that most fits the decor of the 7th Street, and best of all, it’s fairly affordable. It goes up with glue, has a textured appearance, is virtually undamagable by human hands, and provides the sound dampening effect you need back there. And it looks great. If you’d like to know what fabric I’m talking about, let me know and I’ll research it for you.
You guys have a real jewel in the 7th Street Theatre, and you should be commended for the hard work and dedication you put into the place. To my mind, the 7th Street Theatre rivals Seattle’s Paramount and 5th Avenue Theaters. I hope one day to see it in all its original splendour.
It’s true the Aberdeen theater is going to be re-opened as a movie house. The format has'nt been decided yet and there are some restoration issues to be taken care of. I just found out that this theater opened as the “Roxy” then it became the “Warner Bros.” then “Warners” and finaly the “Aberdeen”. The “Roxy” moved over next to the Finch bldg on Heron st. sometime in the early 1930’s. If my memory serves me correctly the theater opened in October 1929 a couple of weeks before the stock market crash. All the news paper articles state it opened in 1930. There used to be the exact date written on the wall in the projection booth by the first projectionists. Also I have been told that the place is in really good condition so a lot of money won’t have to be invested to get the place running again. John Yonich said he would like to remove the churches remodel in the front and restore the entrance with the box office and of course erect a marquee. This was such a pretty theater that any restoration work will only enhance a building that was a vital part of the harbors entertainment history.
Also, as far as the seating issue, the downstairs seats in the D&R were from the 1949 redecorate and they are good seats so it would depend on what they now look like. The balcony seats were the original ones (1923)and the same thing applies. I know you can send them all off and have them refurbished and they wil be returned looking like brand new so the decision is going to be based on the cost of refurbishment vs purchasing used seats and their condition. Personnally I would probably go with newer seats, just NO high backed ones. Patron comfort is the key.
Rocky, my e-mail address is I would like to speak to John very much, or anyone connected with these projects. I would also be willing to help in any way I can, I have a lot of information and am willing to provide time, labor, info, or whatever is needed.
Ken, I believe that the D&R is going to be rebuilt something along the lines of a live entertainment establishment. Like what Harbor Arts was proposing. At least this is what I’ve gathered from what has been posted. A brew pub is an OK idea but where whould you put the restaurant/pub instalation without messing up the interior. I personally have never been fond of the discount/2nd run format. I don’t think the harbor needs another cheap place to go. I know that the people living down their have some disposable income they all run to Olympia at the drop of a hat to shop. I also believe that there is no need to dumb down the offerings. If you offer smart intelligent, good quality, film product you can then educate your audience to attend. This does not happen overnight but is a building process. The rewards are a loyal following that will patronize the theater and the other business already there and those looking to be built in town. One of the keys to success is to work with the other downtown merchants to promote each other. ie; dinner and a movie, or lodging and a movie, etc. There are a lot of possibilities with out making it a sub run theater.
This is great news for Aberdeen I know the town can be brought back it just takes someone with the vision to get things started. I would really like to talk with John Yonich as I also grew up in Aberdeen and worked at both the D&R and Aberdeen (Warner) theaters befor they closed. While the main stream movies are being shown at So. Shore I still believe their is a market for an Art cinema in the area. This market is untapped and with the college there and the number of residents who go out of town to spend their entertainment dollars I feel this can work. I currently work for a company who might be interested in leasing the Aberdeen and running the movie business. We currently have theaters that run first run movies and we have Art theaters that cater to that market. The Lynwood Theater (ca.1936) on Bainbridge Island is one of our art houses. Condos in the Elks and Becker bldgs are a great idea, people being able to work, shop, and be entertained all in a few blocks. No need to start the car! Your on the right track.
Just attended Young Frankenstein and have to admit the show was Fantastic. The theater also looked great and a very full house is always nice. These big houses always shine when they are full.
Agreed, although I have had problems with the digital tracks. My equipment plays both and the system will always select the digital track if there is one. In many casses when a digital track is present the sound processor will only play analog, upon having the equipment tested it has been determined that the print is at fault with flaws in the digital track.
Keep the 2 machines, I’ve seen to many theaters go with platters and 1 machine then they are told that some vault prints are unavailable to them because of the make-up break-down issues. I understand running films the old way requires a projectionist but the extra labor is worth it in reguards to presentation. If the industry goes 100% digital like they are saying it will be a moot point. But until that happens keep the 2 machines!
I didn’t get a look at who was removing the old marguee, I was going by in a car and couldn’t stop. I do understand that the removal was a requirement of the city due to the danger posed by the old signage. Replication is the only possibility as the marquee dates from 1949 and their was so much decay in it that it was very unstable. This was the 3rd marquee to grace the theater, my personal favorite was the 2nd one. Pictures can be seen of all 3 at the jones photo site listed above. We shall wait and see what appears.
Was in Aberdeen on Tuesday 8/7/07 and noticed that the marquee was being removed from the building. The signage was very rotted and in danger of falling and it had to be removed. I hope they put somthing up that is in keeping with the theater and not some cheap tin awning. I guess this might mean that work is going to start on the D&R.
Just received a call from my mother who lives in Aberdeen and she stated that the marquee has been installed. I can’t wait to make a trip to Aberdeen to take a look for myself! I’m sure it’s spectacular! If anyone has any photo’s they can post it would be great to see.
It’s a movie! Fiction not reality, NY is the subject for many films that include it’s destruction because NY is one of the most famous cities in the world. While what happened on 9-11 was tragic and should be held in a place of respect and rememberence, this film and it’s ad material is in no way offensive. I doubt NY is going to forgo all the film revenue on future projects just because the material may inclue the cities destruction.
The Lynwood now has a new marquee made of S.Steel and is emblazioned with neon. The new signage was in the process of being fabricated when the photo was taked by Lost Memory. Also the front of the theatre as well as the building has been cleaned up and is nicer looking today.
Was in the 7th st. on 10/30 for the “In the Mood” 1940’s big Band show and what a treat! There was a very large audience, almost capacity, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It was nice to see an historic theatre with a house full of people!
Was just in the D&R on 10/30 and work is coming along. There’s a long way to go but this place is going to be AMAZING when finished.. Theatre should be open before the end of 2008.
That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time. Having grown up there and seen the steady decline of the harbor it always made me sad to go visit and look around only to see less and less of my hometown. This area has GREAT potential!
Aberdeen needs to gasp!! Hopfully this will kick the other business owners in the rear and prompt some serious downtown revitalization!!! Other than the Morck Hotel and the theatre’s.
Lost Memory, thanks for the great photo’s, here’s what I have been told is being done to the theatre. The marquee and awning is being reproduced. The marquee that is going back up is going to resemble the “Art Deco” 2nd one that graced the theatre dating from about 1935. The one that came down is from the late 40’s. The box office is going to be restored and the tiled entrance is going to be re-done to also resemble the way the theater looked in the 1930’s. I believe the current Box will be retained although it is from the late 40’s. The roof has been repaired and the paint on the building has been redone. Now that the building is sealed up for the winter interior work is going to begin. I was informed by the project mgr that the plan is to have the place re-opened sometime next year. This theater is going to be used as a live venue and should be first class when finished.
Recieved an e-mail from a gentleman who toured the Aberdeen last week and he states that the place is relatively intact. From the sound of his description the chruch has painted over all the decoration except in the balcony so a full restoration would be needed. Not to mention putting the lobby back into the original configuration. There is a screen but all sound and projection equip. has been removed. Seats would have to be replaced also. Thankfully there is a very extensive photo record of how the place once looked and most of the changed are painted decor. So it shouldn’t be to expensive or hard to replicate. The biggest challange is going to be the lobby, outer foyer, and a marquee.
I worked for Tom Moyer (Luxury Theaters)in the early 1980’s and was visiting the home office in Portland and had an opportunity to visit the Fox. The theater was in great shape very well kept and the auditorium was beautiful. His other theaters especially the ones outside of Oregon were not very nice But this one was amazing. It was like stepping back into the 1940’s / 50’s. Nothing much had been done from the last remodel, the colors and interior styling were just as Fox West Coast had put in. Such a shame!
I did'nt write this, the above comment was writen by TJ Faddis who just happened to be using my computer and the site was signed on in my name. She didn’t see my sign on when she wrote the above comment.
In reviewing my previous postings it has been almost 2 years since my last visit inside the theatre. That explains the difference in interior conditon.
I was very briefly in the D&R on Tuesday 8/28/07 and had a chance to look around with all the junk from the provious owner removed. It has been about a year since the last time I was in their and there is more deterioration. It looks like the place was rescured in the nick of time. The previous owner took all the lighting fixtures and pretty much stripped the place so John Yonich will have to replace everything. But the bones are solid so it should be a real show place when he is finished. Aberdeen is very lucky to have someone who is willing to spend the kind of resources that it is going to take to put this building back togather again. Not to mention the Morck Hotel and the other projects that are planned. My hat is off to you Sir.
As an outsider to The 7th Street Theatre, I recently had chance to see the place. My initial response of seeing the grandeur of this treasure was, “My word, what an exqui- … WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE DOING THERE?” Who in heaven’s name would mount huge JBL speakers in the sky? It certainly destroys the illusion of an atmospheric theater!
As future improvements come down the pike for this exquisite theater, my hope is that the powers-that-be keep in check those neanderthals who only see what task they have at hand with absolutely no regard to the asthetics of this historic gem. Get a second opinion from another set of “experts” before allowing a goon squad to destroy your atmospheric qualities. There will always be SOMEBODY who can appreciate your unique theatre while providing your needed services.
Best of luck with your ceiling repairs and repainting. This will enhance the 7th Street even more. Once completed, the effect will stun everyone who comes thru your front doors.
A note about your seats: The seats themselves have lost their spring and comfort capabilties. They need replaced – also because today’s posterior is larger than those fannies from the 1920’s. If you were to contact the original manufacturer [and several are still in business, like Irwin Seating Company], they would send someone out to see your theatre and propose overhauling your seats – in the same style & using those wonderful iron end plates – into something more plush and comfortable … all the while using your original seat design. You would lose some seating capability with the wider seat cushions, but would that affect your overall box office draw going from 1,000 seats to 850?
My last suggestion would be to replace the dingy fabric on the back walls and on front of the projector booth with a lovely new wall fabric available to theaters today. This fabric is almost carpet-like in its appearance and comes in a LOT of colors. You could find one that most fits the decor of the 7th Street, and best of all, it’s fairly affordable. It goes up with glue, has a textured appearance, is virtually undamagable by human hands, and provides the sound dampening effect you need back there. And it looks great. If you’d like to know what fabric I’m talking about, let me know and I’ll research it for you.
You guys have a real jewel in the 7th Street Theatre, and you should be commended for the hard work and dedication you put into the place. To my mind, the 7th Street Theatre rivals Seattle’s Paramount and 5th Avenue Theaters. I hope one day to see it in all its original splendour.
It’s true the Aberdeen theater is going to be re-opened as a movie house. The format has'nt been decided yet and there are some restoration issues to be taken care of. I just found out that this theater opened as the “Roxy” then it became the “Warner Bros.” then “Warners” and finaly the “Aberdeen”. The “Roxy” moved over next to the Finch bldg on Heron st. sometime in the early 1930’s. If my memory serves me correctly the theater opened in October 1929 a couple of weeks before the stock market crash. All the news paper articles state it opened in 1930. There used to be the exact date written on the wall in the projection booth by the first projectionists. Also I have been told that the place is in really good condition so a lot of money won’t have to be invested to get the place running again. John Yonich said he would like to remove the churches remodel in the front and restore the entrance with the box office and of course erect a marquee. This was such a pretty theater that any restoration work will only enhance a building that was a vital part of the harbors entertainment history.
Also, as far as the seating issue, the downstairs seats in the D&R were from the 1949 redecorate and they are good seats so it would depend on what they now look like. The balcony seats were the original ones (1923)and the same thing applies. I know you can send them all off and have them refurbished and they wil be returned looking like brand new so the decision is going to be based on the cost of refurbishment vs purchasing used seats and their condition. Personnally I would probably go with newer seats, just NO high backed ones. Patron comfort is the key.
Rocky, my e-mail address is I would like to speak to John very much, or anyone connected with these projects. I would also be willing to help in any way I can, I have a lot of information and am willing to provide time, labor, info, or whatever is needed.
Ken, I believe that the D&R is going to be rebuilt something along the lines of a live entertainment establishment. Like what Harbor Arts was proposing. At least this is what I’ve gathered from what has been posted. A brew pub is an OK idea but where whould you put the restaurant/pub instalation without messing up the interior. I personally have never been fond of the discount/2nd run format. I don’t think the harbor needs another cheap place to go. I know that the people living down their have some disposable income they all run to Olympia at the drop of a hat to shop. I also believe that there is no need to dumb down the offerings. If you offer smart intelligent, good quality, film product you can then educate your audience to attend. This does not happen overnight but is a building process. The rewards are a loyal following that will patronize the theater and the other business already there and those looking to be built in town. One of the keys to success is to work with the other downtown merchants to promote each other. ie; dinner and a movie, or lodging and a movie, etc. There are a lot of possibilities with out making it a sub run theater.
This is great news for Aberdeen I know the town can be brought back it just takes someone with the vision to get things started. I would really like to talk with John Yonich as I also grew up in Aberdeen and worked at both the D&R and Aberdeen (Warner) theaters befor they closed. While the main stream movies are being shown at So. Shore I still believe their is a market for an Art cinema in the area. This market is untapped and with the college there and the number of residents who go out of town to spend their entertainment dollars I feel this can work. I currently work for a company who might be interested in leasing the Aberdeen and running the movie business. We currently have theaters that run first run movies and we have Art theaters that cater to that market. The Lynwood Theater (ca.1936) on Bainbridge Island is one of our art houses. Condos in the Elks and Becker bldgs are a great idea, people being able to work, shop, and be entertained all in a few blocks. No need to start the car! Your on the right track.
Just attended Young Frankenstein and have to admit the show was Fantastic. The theater also looked great and a very full house is always nice. These big houses always shine when they are full.
Agreed, although I have had problems with the digital tracks. My equipment plays both and the system will always select the digital track if there is one. In many casses when a digital track is present the sound processor will only play analog, upon having the equipment tested it has been determined that the print is at fault with flaws in the digital track.
Keep the 2 machines, I’ve seen to many theaters go with platters and 1 machine then they are told that some vault prints are unavailable to them because of the make-up break-down issues. I understand running films the old way requires a projectionist but the extra labor is worth it in reguards to presentation. If the industry goes 100% digital like they are saying it will be a moot point. But until that happens keep the 2 machines!
I didn’t get a look at who was removing the old marguee, I was going by in a car and couldn’t stop. I do understand that the removal was a requirement of the city due to the danger posed by the old signage. Replication is the only possibility as the marquee dates from 1949 and their was so much decay in it that it was very unstable. This was the 3rd marquee to grace the theater, my personal favorite was the 2nd one. Pictures can be seen of all 3 at the jones photo site listed above. We shall wait and see what appears.
Nice picture, now if only this could become a movie house again and a nice marquee built across the front it wouldn’t look to bad.
Was in Aberdeen on Tuesday 8/7/07 and noticed that the marquee was being removed from the building. The signage was very rotted and in danger of falling and it had to be removed. I hope they put somthing up that is in keeping with the theater and not some cheap tin awning. I guess this might mean that work is going to start on the D&R.