Desert Theatre
68 N. Broadway Avenue,
Burns,
OR
97720
68 N. Broadway Avenue,
Burns,
OR
97720
2 people
favorited this theater
This theater has a pink marquee, pink doors and pink trim around the edge of the building. With the exception of the marquee, the building itself resembles a large cinderblock and is not particularly compelling. Local advertisements call this “The Historic Desert Theatre”.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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 14 comments)
1981 photo of the Desert Theatre.
View link
I have definitely seen less “compelling” theatres. Burns is a place where architectural detail is a real luxury: the high desert weather (hot sun, high wind, snow, sleet, hail etc.) eats away even solidly utilitarian buildings. The Desert Theatre is as spartan as its surroundings but its owners have done nicely with their cinder block showcase.
Aside from looks, I think it is important remember that our Cinema Treasures are not always the Paramounts and the Foxes! I think The Last Picture Show is the sentiment of this on film: an important gathering place in a dying windswept Texas town. I read enraptured comments on the homely theatres so close to many peoples' hearts on CT all the time and while I only passed through Burns I know that its residents feel as strongly for their own “historic” theatre.
Nice comments.Be nice to see how many locals feel about their"historic" theatre.I say that because when the Columbia Theatre in Harlem,Ga. revealed the new marquee only a handful showed up and most of them old employees from the 50’s and 60’s.I really think most locals could care less.
At least they show Star Wars.LOL as in the 1981 photo.
TLSLOEWS go to my page and punch in Vintage Movie ads You will go nuts looking at what Fredrick did the post.Great looking.
Thanks! We had lunch at a place that had a little flier about things around the community, including the “historic Desert Theatre.” You are right about general community interest in most preservation activities: and the smaller the community perhaps the smaller the subgroup of people into preservation/community history. However, in Oregon there is a LOT of pride in history, stemming perhaps from their pioneer roots. Yes…it would be interesting to see how many Burnians (Burners?) would show up to save the cinder block palace were it imperiled!
Thanks JuliaG. Harlem,Ga. Home of Oliver Hardy,think they might have changed the name to HARDY THEATRE when they redid the old COLUMBIA THEATRE marquee,named after the county the theatre is in.
This photograph of the Desert Theatre was taken in 2010.
Us locals dearly apprecite our theater, but time is catching up to it in the technological age and needs updated upon its projector. Sadley we need to raise nearly $800,000 to pay for a new projector. so if you could donate please do. this is a historicl theater with one of the largest screens in oregon. We would greatly appreciate it——Burns local 548962
Ahhh, I think I can beat that price. Actual cost to upgrade to digital projection is around $42,000.