Comments from wkpledger

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wkpledger
wkpledger commented about Canby Theatre on Nov 29, 2010 at 6:45 pm

The first movie shown at the Canby Theatre grand opening on November 15, 1939 was “HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE.” The first showing was a matinee at 4:00 p.m. for school children. HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE was also shown twice that evening. Hey, I had a great time ‘growing up’ in the Canby Theatre. Because my Dad was the builder/owner, I got free admission and all the popcorn I could eat (also various jobs where I earned money.) Projectionists Emil Flieder (my Uncle) and Lloyd Foss sometimes gave a private showing of a cartoon on a weekday afternoon for family and friends …. !!

wkpledger
wkpledger commented about Canby Theatre on Nov 5, 2010 at 8:15 pm

I stopped by Canby Theatres in June; I talked briefly with the owner who graciously opened the front door and let me (and husband) inside the lobby. He said we could look around the building. The owner said the marque needed repair work which would begin during 2011.

Glad to see Canby Theatres open and operating. The original grand opening of the Canby Theatre was November 15, 1939. My father built it and owned it until January 1, 1966.

wkpledger
wkpledger commented about Canby Theatre on Apr 15, 2008 at 9:12 am

Canby, MN and Canby, OR are ‘sister’ cities. I can remember that when Canby, MN had it’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration (75th anniversary of city) in 1954, their were exchanges and congratulations between officials of the two cities.
Canby, MN population is presently about 1900 while Canby, OR population is close to 13,000.
Too bad there is not a cinema in Canby, OR. I certainly enjoyed growing up in a movie theatre; my father built the Canby, MN Theatre in 1939. I enjoyed the entertainment and part-time jobs. Jobs were provided for many young people: popcorn and candy vendors, ticket sellers, ticket takers, and occasional cleanup duties.

wkpledger
wkpledger commented about Canby Theatre on Feb 17, 2008 at 6:27 pm

Yes, I have been sorting through old newspaper clippings and articles from the Canby News which were stored for a long time either at the Canby Theatre or at the Wm. Flieder family residence. I also have clippings regarding Canby’s Broadway Theatre going back to about 1930.

After my post on Feb. 16th, I looked through the listing of Theatre architects on cinematreasures website. It seems that the architect is not Crozier spelled with a ‘Z’ but probably Perry E. Crosier. Mr. Crosier designed theatres in the Mpls.-St.Paul area most of which have been demolished or closed. The Mpls. Avalon Theatre, a theatre in Marshfield, WI and the Canby Theatre are still operating.

wkpledger
wkpledger commented about Canby Theatre on Feb 17, 2008 at 6:24 pm

Yes, I have been sorting through old newspaper clippings and articles from the Canby News which were stored for a long time either at the Canby Theatre or at the Wm. Flieder family residence. I also have clippings regarding Canby’s Broadway Theatre going back to about 1930.

After my post on Feb. 16th, I looked through the listing of Theatre architects on cinematreasures website. It seems that the architect is not Crozier spelled with a ‘Z’ but probably Perry E. Crosier. He designed theatres in the Mpls.-St.Paul area most of which have been demolished or closed. The Mpls. Avalon Theatre, a theatre in Marshfield, WI and the Canby Theatre are still operating.

wkpledger
wkpledger commented about Canby Theatre on Feb 16, 2008 at 9:46 pm

The new Canby Theatre, built and opened in 1939 by my father, William Flieder, was designed by an architect (Mr. Crozier) who employed an art deco motif. A local highway contractor, J. J. Govercki, excavated the full basement. Gordon Victor, a local hardware store owner, started construction which was later taken over and finished by Swedberg Brothers of Wheaton, MN. Finishing touches were placed on modernistic decorations under the supervision of Minneapolis interior decorator Otto Nielsen.