Majestic Theatre

115 SW 2nd Street,
Corvallis, OR 97333

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Majestic Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Tri-State Theaters Inc. (OR)

Architects: George M. Post

Functions: Live Theater, Movies (Classic)

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Varsity Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 541.738.7469
Manager: 541.758.7827

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whole facade

The Majestic Theatre opened August 5, 1913. Following a remodel it was reopened as the Varsity Theatre on November 18, 1949. It was closed in 1977.

It is now operating as the Majestic Theatre again, now a live theatre and also screens classic movies.

Contributed by Louise-Annette Burgess

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

GaryParks
GaryParks on April 16, 2007 at 2:32 am

I saw and photogrpahed the exterior of the Majestic week-before-last. The brick exterior appears all original. The attractive—albeit contemporary—marquee is nicely proportioned, and stars with names of donors to the theatre are set into the sidewalk out front. The lobby is completely contemporary in design. I am told that the auditorium retains some features of its historic appearance.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 9, 2013 at 2:36 am

The Majestic Theatre’s web site says that their house opened in August, 1913. Here is an item about an unnamed theater to be built in Corvallis, from the January 21, 1913, issue of Building and Industrial News:

“THEATRE— 2 story, and base, brick and concrete, $30,000. Corvallis. Ore. Architect, George Post, Salem. Owner, M. Porter. The building will contain a main auditorium seating in the neighborhood of 900 people. Construction will be of reinforced concrete with exterior walls of pressed brick and terra cotta. A central heating system will be installed. Interior will be finished in metal and ornamental plaster. Floors will be of concrete. Stage equipment will be let under a separate contract. Plans are now being prepared.”
The description fits the Majestic quite well, as does the timing. Salem architect George M. Post is not to be confused with the better known New York architect George B. Post.

mursmith111
mursmith111 on July 23, 2014 at 3:38 am

Murray Smith, July 22, 2014

In 1953, I began a four-year career as a projectionist at the then named Varsity Theatre. Harry Canoy was the Chief Projectionist and Walt Porter, whom I believe was the son of the original owner, O. Porter, was the Manager, and our boss.

I well remember the big arc-lamp projectors, and how hot it got in that balcony booth, especially in the summer. That was also about the time that Cinemascope films were just beginning and I remember them putting in a new stage-wide screen and my having to change the big projector lenses to show those movies.

During a previous period, the theatre had been a performance theatre so it had a much deeper stage than most movie theatres and below the stage were numerous small dressing rooms, many of which had large posters on the walls which I now wish I had scavanged. I can still remember some great theatre staff parties on that stage after closing time.

During my tenure as projectionist we almost always ran double features and during that time I estimated later that I saw in excess of 2,500 different movies, not counting how many times I saw each one. My pay at that time was a princely $1.27/hour (with no benefits) except all the popcorn I wanted and all the (free) movies I could watch as long as it didn’t conflict with my work. After we had closed for the night, I can remember crawling out the small window onto the canopy over the entrance to change the marquee billing with movable letters and a long pole…..ah, those were the days.

If interested further, I can be contacted at

    
                  
Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on July 26, 2014 at 2:25 am

Hi Murray,

Thank you for the info. By chance, do you have any old photos? Did the outside have that streamline neon signage?

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on July 14, 2016 at 4:03 pm

Website: http://www.majestic.org/

Functions should also include: movies (classic)

rivest266
rivest266 on March 25, 2018 at 7:09 pm

Closed as Varsity in 1977.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on March 19, 2024 at 1:55 pm

I guess this must have been just before the name change.

Boxoffice, Sept. 24, 1949: “CORVALLIS, ORE. - Owner Fred Porter has changed the entrance of his Majestic Theatre here, building it into a sweeping curve to allow more space for displays. Pine columns replaced the pillars and recessed lighting was set into the ceiling.”

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