The Bagdad Theater and Pub
Encyclopedia
The Bagdad Theater is a movie theater
in the Hawthorne District
of Portland
, Oregon
, United States
. It originally opened in 1927 and was the site of the premiere gala of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
in 1975, and of My Own Private Idaho
in 1991.
The theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as the Bagdad Theatre in 1989. It is currently owned by the McMenamins
brewpub chain.
spent the then-substantial sum of $100,000 to build a state-of-the-art theater in Portland
, complete with a large stage, fountain and Middle-Eastern decor, right down to the usherettes' Arabian-styled uniforms. The theater was proclaimed "a triumph of artistry and craftsmanship."
During the Bagdad's early years, the movie industry was revolutionized by the replacement of silent movie
s with "talkies." Also during this period live stage shows were presented which proved extremely popular and consistently drew large crowds. Live Vaudeville shows remained a key part of the Bagdad's offerings all the way through the 1940s. One of the best-known vaudeville stars to grace the Bagdad's stage was Sammy Davis, Jr.
, who performed there in the 1940s as part of the song-and-dance team the Will Mastin Trio
along with his father Sammy Davis, Sr.
and Will Mastin
.
In later years the Bagdad has been the scene of some notable movie premieres. In 1975, actors Jack Nicholson
and Louise Fletcher
, as well as producer Michael Douglas
, appeared at the Bagdad for the Oregon premiere of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
. Sixteen years later, just after McMenamins' renovation of the theater, My Own Private Idaho
debuted here. In its present incarnation as a cinema-and-pub, the Bagdad continues as a favorite spot to watch second-run movies while enjoying pizza and one of their locally brewed beers or ales.
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
in the Hawthorne District
Hawthorne, Portland, Oregon
The Hawthorne District in Portland, Oregon is an area of Southeast Portland on SE Hawthorne Blvd., particularly between 30th and 42nd Avenues. The area has numerous retail stores, including clothing shops, restaurants, bars, brewpubs and microbreweries. Hawthorne district is known for its young,...
of Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It originally opened in 1927 and was the site of the premiere gala of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey....
in 1975, and of My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 independent drama film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, loosely based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V, and starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves...
in 1991.
The theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as the Bagdad Theatre in 1989. It is currently owned by the McMenamins
McMenamins
McMenamins is a chain of nearly sixty brewpubs, microbreweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs. The chain is located mostly in the Portland metropolitan area, but has many other locations in Oregon and Washington...
brewpub chain.
History
In 1927, Universal PicturesUniversal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
spent the then-substantial sum of $100,000 to build a state-of-the-art theater in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, complete with a large stage, fountain and Middle-Eastern decor, right down to the usherettes' Arabian-styled uniforms. The theater was proclaimed "a triumph of artistry and craftsmanship."
During the Bagdad's early years, the movie industry was revolutionized by the replacement of silent movie
Silent Movie
Silent Movie is a 1976 satirical comedy film co-written, directed by, and starring Mel Brooks, and released by 20th Century Fox on June 17, 1976...
s with "talkies." Also during this period live stage shows were presented which proved extremely popular and consistently drew large crowds. Live Vaudeville shows remained a key part of the Bagdad's offerings all the way through the 1940s. One of the best-known vaudeville stars to grace the Bagdad's stage was Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
, who performed there in the 1940s as part of the song-and-dance team the Will Mastin Trio
Will Mastin Trio
The Will Mastin Trio was a trio of dancers and singers formed by Will Mastin, Sammy Davis, Sr. and Sammy Davis, Jr.. They performed from the 1920s through the 1960s....
along with his father Sammy Davis, Sr.
Sammy Davis, Sr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis, Sr. was an American dancer and the father of Sammy Davis, Jr..-Birth and Personal Life:...
and Will Mastin
Will Mastin
-Career on the Dance Floor:Mastin was the leader of the Will Mastin Trio which included Sammy Davis, Sr. and his son Sammy Davis, Jr.. Will Mastin was also the "uncle" of Sammy Davis, Jr.. Sammy's father Sammy Davis, Sr. and Will were good friends....
.
In later years the Bagdad has been the scene of some notable movie premieres. In 1975, actors Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
and Louise Fletcher
Louise Fletcher
Louise Fletcher is an American actress best known for her role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and as Kai Winn Adami in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She also guest starred on the science fiction television series Heroes...
, as well as producer Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas
Michael Kirk Douglas is an American actor and producer, primarily in movies and television. He has won three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards; first as producer of 1975's Best Picture, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and as Best Actor in 1987 for his role in Wall Street. Douglas received the...
, appeared at the Bagdad for the Oregon premiere of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey....
. Sixteen years later, just after McMenamins' renovation of the theater, My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 independent drama film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, loosely based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V, and starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves...
debuted here. In its present incarnation as a cinema-and-pub, the Bagdad continues as a favorite spot to watch second-run movies while enjoying pizza and one of their locally brewed beers or ales.
Appearances in film
- The Bagdad was featured briefly in the beginning of the film BongwaterBongwater (film)Bongwater is a 1997 comedy film, based on the book of the same name, set in Portland, Oregon, and stars Luke Wilson, Alicia Witt, Amy Locane, Brittany Murphy, Jack Black, and Andy Dick.-Cast:* Luke Wilson as David* Alicia Witt as Serena...
. - The Bagdad was prominently featured in the film What the Bleep Do We Know!?What the Bleep Do We Know!?What the Bleep Do We Know!? is a 2004 film that combines documentary-style interviews, computer-animated graphics, and a narrative that describes the spiritual connection between quantum physics and consciousness...
. - The Bagdad was featured in the Food NetworkFood NetworkFood Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
television program The Secret Life Of.