The Gentry will re-open December 13th under new management. The theatre is still owned by Richard Coleman and managed by the Allen Theatre Management team of Bob and Emilie Allen and their son Tim.
Aging? Who are they kidding. There are theatres all over the country operating successfully that were built 75 to 100 years ago. And they are closing one that has been around for only 27 years? Looks like poor planning to me. Way to go AMC.
Yes, it’s a dying occupation, one to which I devoted much of my life. Film will not be around much longer and projection work will be done by floor staff that simply have to press buttons. I did notice you mixed 16mm JAN projectors (which most theatres do not use) with 35mm projectors. Good video for the untrained.
To the right of the Kuhn where the archway is is the Gem Theatre, the first movie theatre Lebanon had. It’s used for live performances now. I hope the Kuhn owner can replace the plastic in their marquee. The yellow plastic makes it look trashy.
Are you sure you’ve got the right picture? I was in a store in the lobby of the theatre shown in this photo several years ago and that building was slated for the wrecking ball. The Kuhn is actually several blocks west.
Film prints will be available longer than that. They should attempt to get community support for fund raising. If the owners need a manager I’m available.
Probably the worst thing they did was twinning the thing. But I believe it could be successful as a twin. It all depends on how it’s booked. I don’t think live performances would work. Thw auditoriums are now too small and it does not appear to have fly screens.
What a shame. It was an absolutely beautiful theatre when I worked there as a projectionist in the late 60s. It has two Century and one Simplex E-7 projectors. It probable could have been saved if the owners knew how to program the place.
There are still some film copies made of just about every film. Perhaps Mr. Anderson should use a booker who is familiar with dealing with the distributors.
Whenever I read about a theatre in Florida I always wonder “Don’t those people realize is they have a 16 inch tsunami the whole state will be under water?” I think they call mole hills “mountains” down there.
The theatre has been purchased by a Portland businessman who is working on reopening it. I have the unique privilege of advising him. I believe it will be the beginning of revitalizing the Foster-Powell section of SE Portland.
I owned this theatre in the mid-sixties. It and I were written up in Boxoffice magazine because of the programming I initiated. It was all country music. The first picture was “Your Cheating Heart” with George Hamilton as Hank Williams. It packed the place out. I was also written up in the local IA paper for giving my union projectionist a raise without the union having to ask for it.
The last Sterling house I worked as an IA operator was the Lynn Twin. I met my wife there. Next month we will celebrate our 42nd anniversary. The Lynn Twin (in Lynnwood) is now a non-profit storage facility last used as the Lynn Four.
Enough with the screen tower and weeds. There is more to a drive-in than the screen tower. Where’s the buildings and speakers?
The 69 has been demolished.
The Gentry will re-open December 13th under new management. The theatre is still owned by Richard Coleman and managed by the Allen Theatre Management team of Bob and Emilie Allen and their son Tim.
Aging? Who are they kidding. There are theatres all over the country operating successfully that were built 75 to 100 years ago. And they are closing one that has been around for only 27 years? Looks like poor planning to me. Way to go AMC.
What a beautiful theatre. As an old showman I’d love to be a part of such an operation.
In 1970 I worked as a projectionist at a theatre in Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport. It was a 16mm operation that showed travelogs and industrial films.
One of the most beautiful classic theatres I’ve ever seen. I wish I owned it.
Yes, it’s a dying occupation, one to which I devoted much of my life. Film will not be around much longer and projection work will be done by floor staff that simply have to press buttons. I did notice you mixed 16mm JAN projectors (which most theatres do not use) with 35mm projectors. Good video for the untrained.
To the right of the Kuhn where the archway is is the Gem Theatre, the first movie theatre Lebanon had. It’s used for live performances now. I hope the Kuhn owner can replace the plastic in their marquee. The yellow plastic makes it look trashy.
The building shown is actually the Park theatre on Sherman Street and is probably demolished by now.
Are you sure you’ve got the right picture? I was in a store in the lobby of the theatre shown in this photo several years ago and that building was slated for the wrecking ball. The Kuhn is actually several blocks west.
The perfect town for an arthouse. If the new owner reads these posts: I am an experienced theatre manager and I’m available.
The caption says “…with only 800 remaining drive-ins…”. That may be down from 5,000 several decades ago but is up from 500 just a few years ago.
Film prints will be available longer than that. They should attempt to get community support for fund raising. If the owners need a manager I’m available.
Probably the worst thing they did was twinning the thing. But I believe it could be successful as a twin. It all depends on how it’s booked. I don’t think live performances would work. Thw auditoriums are now too small and it does not appear to have fly screens.
What a shame. It was an absolutely beautiful theatre when I worked there as a projectionist in the late 60s. It has two Century and one Simplex E-7 projectors. It probable could have been saved if the owners knew how to program the place.
The theatre has been sold.
Boy! I hope they have painted that building.
There are still some film copies made of just about every film. Perhaps Mr. Anderson should use a booker who is familiar with dealing with the distributors.
Whenever I read about a theatre in Florida I always wonder “Don’t those people realize is they have a 16 inch tsunami the whole state will be under water?” I think they call mole hills “mountains” down there.
The theatre has been purchased by a Portland businessman who is working on reopening it. I have the unique privilege of advising him. I believe it will be the beginning of revitalizing the Foster-Powell section of SE Portland.
I owned this theatre in the mid-sixties. It and I were written up in Boxoffice magazine because of the programming I initiated. It was all country music. The first picture was “Your Cheating Heart” with George Hamilton as Hank Williams. It packed the place out. I was also written up in the local IA paper for giving my union projectionist a raise without the union having to ask for it.
The last Sterling house I worked as an IA operator was the Lynn Twin. I met my wife there. Next month we will celebrate our 42nd anniversary. The Lynn Twin (in Lynnwood) is now a non-profit storage facility last used as the Lynn Four.
When did the phrase “lace up” replace “thread up”?
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