Yes, from 1997-2001 when they closed. Started off doing the dirty work (usher work), then went into management from 1998 until it closed. Really the only time in my life where I was proud of doing my job, you know?? Customers really enjoyed the theater and most were proud to work there.
That apartment was something else. As employees, we constantly tried reopening it and making it into an office. Long ago the management closed it off by drywalling it shut but some intrepid employees took it upon themselves to climb up through the ceiling and explore this now closed off space. After all those years, there was still a refrigerator and some other junk still residing in that space! The best part of that apartment was a large picture window that looked out over auditorium one!! Unfortunately green curtains covered the window, but all you had to do was pull them to the side and you could watch the movie in your own private room. I’m sure it didn’t sound that good, but you didn’t have to sit by the riff raff when checking out the flick.
I’m sure that everyone in Portland would agree with me in saying that what you are trying to do is absolutely incredible news!! It’s good to know someone else out there still cares about this terrific building. I’m not sure if Tom Moyer still owns the property or not. Anyway, if you have any other questions or comments about the building itself, feel free to E-mail me at I’d love to help!
No one by any chance would have some interior photos of the old Broadway Theatre, would they?? I’m dying to see what it looked like.
While looking through the some old “Oregonian” newspapers, I noticed that the Broadway played mostly “exploitative” titles during the 70’s including martial arts films!! What I would give to be able to still go downtown and watch kung fu movies.
I just wanted to quickly correct myself. The Eastgate was built as a duplex but later a third screen was added on. The second auditorium wasn’t split in half like I orginally stated.
Trust me, if I had the money I would be the first one to send the Russians packing. I would even throw in some extra dough so they could build themselves a nicer church. I don’t know, perhaps the damage has already been done. They added those windows in front of auditorium three. On top of that, I was there when they ripped out all of the seats, the concession stand, and even took razor blades to the screens so they could easily remove them. And the screen in the #1 theater was only a few years old!!
On top of all the problems with missing equipment, there are some structural problems with the building including a roof that is in dire need of replacing. We had to close off entire sections of the auditorium when it rained because ceiling tiles would fall. And when it rained really hard, you could hear a waterfall running down the wall behind auditorium #2’s screen.
If someone had enough money, I think you could really clean up that lot and building and make something special out of it. Maybe put a nice video store in auditorium 3, a good restaraunt in auditorium 2, and restore auditorium #1 to it’s full splendor.
I found some photos of the Eastgate on Cinematour.com
Click the following link for more Eastgate goodness…
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2900
After seeing some of the photos, I can’t believe how big that lobby was and how much that chandelier added to it. Okay, I’m officially depressed! :(
Yes, from 1997-2001 when they closed. Started off doing the dirty work (usher work), then went into management from 1998 until it closed. Really the only time in my life where I was proud of doing my job, you know?? Customers really enjoyed the theater and most were proud to work there.
That apartment was something else. As employees, we constantly tried reopening it and making it into an office. Long ago the management closed it off by drywalling it shut but some intrepid employees took it upon themselves to climb up through the ceiling and explore this now closed off space. After all those years, there was still a refrigerator and some other junk still residing in that space! The best part of that apartment was a large picture window that looked out over auditorium one!! Unfortunately green curtains covered the window, but all you had to do was pull them to the side and you could watch the movie in your own private room. I’m sure it didn’t sound that good, but you didn’t have to sit by the riff raff when checking out the flick.
Froggy,
I’m sure that everyone in Portland would agree with me in saying that what you are trying to do is absolutely incredible news!! It’s good to know someone else out there still cares about this terrific building. I’m not sure if Tom Moyer still owns the property or not. Anyway, if you have any other questions or comments about the building itself, feel free to E-mail me at I’d love to help!
No one by any chance would have some interior photos of the old Broadway Theatre, would they?? I’m dying to see what it looked like.
While looking through the some old “Oregonian” newspapers, I noticed that the Broadway played mostly “exploitative” titles during the 70’s including martial arts films!! What I would give to be able to still go downtown and watch kung fu movies.
I just wanted to quickly correct myself. The Eastgate was built as a duplex but later a third screen was added on. The second auditorium wasn’t split in half like I orginally stated.
Trust me, if I had the money I would be the first one to send the Russians packing. I would even throw in some extra dough so they could build themselves a nicer church. I don’t know, perhaps the damage has already been done. They added those windows in front of auditorium three. On top of that, I was there when they ripped out all of the seats, the concession stand, and even took razor blades to the screens so they could easily remove them. And the screen in the #1 theater was only a few years old!!
On top of all the problems with missing equipment, there are some structural problems with the building including a roof that is in dire need of replacing. We had to close off entire sections of the auditorium when it rained because ceiling tiles would fall. And when it rained really hard, you could hear a waterfall running down the wall behind auditorium #2’s screen.
If someone had enough money, I think you could really clean up that lot and building and make something special out of it. Maybe put a nice video store in auditorium 3, a good restaraunt in auditorium 2, and restore auditorium #1 to it’s full splendor.