Comments from George Kramer

Showing 18 comments

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Hiland Theater on May 10, 2022 at 8:53 am

The name of this theatre is the HILAND, with an I, not a y. It opened in January 1925.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Granada Theatre on Aug 17, 2016 at 5:05 pm

http://wsh.stparchive.com/Archive/WSH/WSH07221926P06.php This link implies the interior of the theatre was designed or executed by “E.C. Weissenborn,” but I believe that would be “A. Weissenborn,” who ran the Weissenborn Decorating Company. Does anyone have any information on that firm?

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Ross Ragland Theatre on May 26, 2016 at 4:55 pm

This was George M. Mann theatre when it opened in 1940. William David, of San Francisco, was credited as the architect. The interiors were by Miguel Santocono, “noted decorator,” who worked on the murals for three months, according to newspaper accounts.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Liberty Theatre on May 25, 2016 at 10:04 am

LTOB, that owns and operates the Liberty, has been busy raising funds to upgrade the interior and exterior. I’ve added a photo of the restored exterior painting, completed in 2015.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Marcha Theatre on May 24, 2016 at 6:12 pm

Built about 1934 and significantly remodeled in late 1936 by local contractor Carl Gentry, the Marcha was operated by Carl and Byrd C. Heintz, until 1948, when it was purchased by Mrs. and Mrs. Vaclav Kalina, who also operated the Broadway Theatre, in Malin.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Liberty Theatre on Nov 9, 2015 at 4:27 pm

Little Theater on the Bay (LTOB) has been presented live shows at the Liberty since the late 1950s and recently embarked on a major capital campaign to update and restore the building. Phase 1, exterior repair and painting, was completed last month. Phase 2, to build new ADA compatible restrooms and get rid of the ugly Sani-Can, in now picking up steam. Read more at http://thepreserveoregonblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/liberty-theatre-north-bend-or-phase-1.html and check out the photos that I have added here.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Egyptian Theatre on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:07 pm

These are all of the Egyptian. A version of this sign will be installed as part of the canopy and marquee project. Can’t put anything across the street.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Liberty Theatre on Jul 16, 2015 at 1:01 pm

If anyone has any historic images of this theatre, I would be most interested in seeing them. I am the restoration consultant working with the owners to restore the facade (and eventually the interior too!) Thanks!

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Alger Theatre on Aug 12, 2013 at 4:35 pm

The State of Oregon inventory for this building says that it was designed and built by Merle Alger.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Holly Theatre on Mar 11, 2013 at 9:27 am

Some perspective on the debacle that derailed the Holly. http://thepreserveoregonblog.blogspot.com/2012_12_01_archive.html

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Egyptian Theatre on Mar 11, 2013 at 9:23 am

Last week the EPTA held another successful fund-raising event, on their way toward the $200K match to grant money for the $750K goal needed to complete the structural repairs and get the Egyptian back opened for business by 2014. This theatre is in good hands and will come back better than ever. Worth the wait!

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Yakima Theatre on Mar 3, 2013 at 1:20 pm

I have come across a citation related to Carl R. Berg, a theater designer for the National Theatre Company, who in 1930 was called to “North Yakima” to design a large theatre there that under the control of the Fox Theater interests" Could this have been the referenced house??

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Cordova Theatre on Jul 24, 2012 at 9:47 am

Incidentally, from the little of the exterior of the Cordova that I can see in the photos, it appears to have been very similar in design to a theatre in Yreka, California, also with interiors by Mr. Berg.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Cordova Theatre on Jul 20, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Berg also designed the interiors of the Holly Theatre, in Medford, Oregon and the Egyptian Theatre, in Coos Bay, Oregon. Both share at least one element and I’m curious if it is found at the Cordova as well. Here is my blog post on the subject.

http://thepreserveoregonblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/carl-r-berg-tile-of-two-theatres.html

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Holly Theatre on Jul 8, 2012 at 6:39 pm

While I applaud Mr. Kirk’s optimism about the Holly, I do not share it. Ron Kramer, my oldest brother, did not resign, he was terminated by SOU nominally on the basis that they were concerned about his dual roles as Director of JPR Radio and the JPRF, the Foundation that purchased and was overseeing the restoration of the Holly. This despite the fact that his contract with SOU specifically required him to serve in those dual roles and had required that for nearly two decades. At this writing there is little expectation that the SOU-JPR mediation will end in anything that assures the continued restoration of the Holly Theatre by anything connected to JPR and will more likely plunge JPRF into bankruptcy and the courts. I serve(d) as the restoration designer of the Holly Theatre (as I did for the Cascade, in Redding, CA) and can tell you first hand that while the facade has been restored and the truss has been repaired, there is considerable work left to do at the Holly. I know of no other entity on the horizon capable of stepping up and returning that building to the landmark of downtown Medford it ought be. JPR-SOU will be attempting to work out their differences but SOU does not believe that JPR has any business renovating or operating theaters and it is unlikely that any solution that remains under Southern Oregon University bodes well for this project.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Broadway Twin on Jan 17, 2011 at 10:50 am

The ORIGINAL interior of the Broadway, was designed by Carl F. Berg, who worked for the National Theatre Supply Company’s Seattle office. The design was called “Moorish,” and the building was later remodeled to Art Deco.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Holly Theatre on Jan 17, 2011 at 10:47 am

The interior design of the Holly was by Carl F. Berg, a prolific designer who was working for the National Theatre Supply Company’s Seattle office in 1930. Reportedly Berg designed the interiors of more than 150 movie theaters before working on the Holly and he was active at least another decade after finishing it.

George Kramer
George Kramer commented about Holly Theatre on Dec 11, 2010 at 10:13 am

The Holly was built by Earl Fehl, a rather notorious local politician, newspaper publisher and building contractor. Jefferson Public Radio has recently announced plans to purchase the Holly and completely restore it for use as a performing arts center, similar to their Cascade Theatre, located in Redding, California.