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"LET'S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES"
VERNACULAR DESIGN BASED
ON THE SPANISH ALHAMBRA STYLE
probably built during the early 1900s
This old beautiful Liberty theater is still going strong in the small town of Camas, Washington. For a vintage night out look for an old theater near where you live, buy your ticket at the front ticket booth, bring your own freshly popped popcorn or visit the snack counter then sit back and watch the big screen. An enjoyable treat.
Love these photos.
ReplyDeleteturquoisemoon -- thanks for the nice comment. Perhaps you have an old theater near you? -- barbara
DeleteWhat lovely architecture! Good for them to keep it running too!
ReplyDeleteBarb -- I thought the architecture was very interesting for an old theater. Next time I am in Camas I plan on taking some photos inside if they let me. thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteBeautiful old theater. It could only look like this in the west, I think.
ReplyDeleteTwo old movie theaters in Akron have been refurbished as theaters, not movie. I've visited a nice old one in a Wisconsin town, with friends and children who wanted to see the last Indiana Jones movie. It all seemed appropriate.
Joanne -- Perhaps there is a move afoot to refurbish and save these small unique theaters. I have a feeling that they can be found in both larger cities within its cracks and crannies as well as in the small towns. Interesting that Akron has saved two theaters. I know in deteriorating Detroit they have managed to save the beautiful Fox theater through restoration. I used to attend the Fox once in a while and remember going there with my friend to see Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin perform in person. It would be fun to see Indiana Jones in an old theater with children. thanks -- barbara
DeleteWe went to a show at this theater not long after we moved here, and I thought it was a beautiful theater, wonderfully maintained.
ReplyDeleteMelissa -- Yes, I do remember you mentioning the Liberty in Camas. I want to go inside next time I am there to try and get some photos. I hope they have kept the interior original to beginnings. Old theaters are such community icons -- thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteGlorious piece of design whatever style you call it. Unfortunately these little theatres are vanishing rapidly.
ReplyDeleteJohn -- I take it that your country is scraping the history of towns by removing the old theaters. Such wonderful memories disappear with the tear-downs of such places. I have always thought that your country saved every scrap of historic architecture. -- thanks barbara
DeleteWonderful facade. Looks like they're playing movies for the younger set -- We have a great old art house, that isn't at all wonderful outside but is super inside. I see it was a beautiful sunny day too.
ReplyDeleteJune -- probably the kid's movie was for a matinee since it was a Saturday afternoon in the little town of Camas when I took the photo. Your art house would be interesting to see -- maybe someday you could get some interior shots? thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteTampa, Florida had a gorgeous movie theater in a Spanish/Moorish style. There were stars on the ceiling and all sorts of wonders...
ReplyDeleteVicki -- your Spanish/Moorish style would be similar to the Liberty only the Tampa one would be a few steps above in the classic sense than the Camas vernacular theater. I bet that Tampa theater was wonderful. Stars on the ceiling is something I have never seen in a theater. thanks -- barbara
DeleteWatching a movie in that old theater would be a treat for me.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- I don't remember old theaters in the small towns I meandered through in KY. I remember one in Maysville. Perhaps my eye was not open to them at the time? Hope you might find one in your territory so you can treat yourself to an old fashioned outing. -- thanks barbara
DeleteIt is gorgeous & evokes such a good nostalgic feeling...a sense of history. We have one in town that is very active with movies & also live performances. Not as pretty, but thriving. http://www.colonialtheater.com/colonial-theatre-history/about-colonial-theatre-history I love that you are still wandering with your camera, discovering scenes & things of interest. Good exploring to you, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteRita -- I agree with you that theaters set off a certain nostalgia. Those old theaters that still exit hold stories about the whole town. Everyone knew where the theater/s were in town and at one time most attended on a regular basis. I checked out your link to your town's theater and thought it most interesting. To be a movie house for a hundred years in the same town is quite an accomplishment. I've been wondering how movie theaters have survived the home viewing of movies. Maybe it is not only the home viewing that matters it's the largeness of the screen, being part of a crowd, getting out of the house, and the surround sound? thanks -- barbara
DeleteI'm not tryimng to be difficult, but I have been to the original Alhambra in Spain ...
ReplyDeleteBut this looks nice anyhow :-)
RuneE -- How wonderful that you have been to the Alhambra. I've only seen photos. It is among many buildings that reflect a Spanish type style. I didn't mean to sound misleading -- I should perhaps used the style name, Spanish Colonial Revival, instead but I was being frivolous in using the name Alhambra/vernacular as the Liberty theater is a vernacular rendition of Spanish Colonial Revival -- a richly endowed style. thanks for the comment -- barbara
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