Historic Rivoli Theater
355 S. Main Street,
Pendleton,
OR
97801
355 S. Main Street,
Pendleton,
OR
97801
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Historic Rivoli Theater (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox West Coast Theatres
Firms: Sutton & Whitney
Previous Names: Pastime Theatre, Arcade Theatre, Rivoli Theatre, New Rivoli Theatre, Center Theatre
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- May 28, 2009 — Rivoli update
- May 25, 2007 — New life for Rivoli
Built as a single story building containing four stores in 1900. One of the stores became a nickelodeon named Pastime Theatre. It was renamed Arcade Theatre following a remodel. A second story and a balcony were added to the plans of architectural firm Sutton & Whitney of Portland, OR. The Rivoli Theatre opened on September 10, 1921 with Mary Elden in “The Old Nest”. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer 2 manual 7 ranks organ which was opened by organist Henri G. LeBel. It was closed in February 1970 when the interior was gutted and the balcony was removed to modernise the building. It reopened as the new Rivoli Theatre on December 25, 1970 with Frank Sinatra in “Dirty Dingus McGee”. It was renamed the Centre Theatre on August 27, 1982. It was closed on August 25, 1984. Renovations began on the Historic Rivoli Theatre in 2012 and it is known as the Historic Rivoli Theater.
Contributed by
Bryan
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
This is from Boxoffice in February 1954:
PENDLETON, ORE.-Cinemascope has made its debut at the Rivoli Theater in Pendleton. Owner John Mattlock says this latest improvement culminates a series of changes that cost about $14,000.
It’s being restored: See here.
This is great that this vintage theatre is being restored! Here’s more info on it and photos: http://pstos.org/instruments/or/pendleton/rivoli.htm
The theatre’s original 2/7 Wurlitzer organ (style 170, opus #435) later spent time in a rink in Seattle before being sold to a fellow in Bremerton, Washington. I don’t know if he still has it, or if he does, that he’d eventually be willing to sell it back to the theatre, but you never know…
http://pstos.org/instruments/wa/seattle/ridge-rink.htm
The Historic Rivoli Theater official web site provides periodic updates on the progress of the renovation project.
Pendleton Amusement’s Greulich & Matlock opened the Rivoli Theatre to the plans of Sutton & Whitney, architects from Portland. Originally planned as a 1,500 seat road show house that could stage both live events and major films, funding fell short and they landed on the Rivoli, a $110,000, 850-seat movie house at opening on September 10, 1921 with Mary Elden in “The Old Nest.” The operators bought the same 2 manual 7 rank Wurlitzer pipe organ as Sid Grauman did in his L.A. Million Dollar Theater with Henri G. LeBel playing on opening night. The Nifty Nook candy shop in the theatre served as the de facto concession provider.
Under Fox West Coast Theatres, the venue installed sound in September of 1928 to remain viable and widescreen projection in the 1950s to compete against television. Operators closed the venue in February of 1970 for a major refresh entirely gutting the interior of the theater eliminating the balcony and reducing seat count. That theater opened as the New Rivoli Theatre on December 25, 1970 with “Dirty Dingus McGee.” In 1978, the “New” was dropped.
Owner of the United Artists, Marie Hutchens took on the venue selling both the United Artists - which became a church - and, in 1982, the Rivoli to Ferris Elckel who bought it for $65,000 (and $25,000 additional for projection) who reopened it was the Centre Theatre on August 27, 1982 as the Centre Theatre. The theater wasn’t a hit and was twinned becoming the Centre Twin Theatre on May 27, 1983. With folks off to the newer theater, the Centre closed August 25, 1984. It was sold in 1987 for just $28,000.
The venue was purchased in 2010 and donated as a non-profit renovation project in 2011 that has since reopened.